A study found that training enhances attention in the brain, leading to improved performance in tasks like reading x-rays and excelling in sports. However, after extended training, this initial gain in attention disappears, even though behavioral performance remains improved.
Scientists have successfully coated live bacteria with a conducting polymer to improve their conductivity, resulting in a 23 times smaller resistance and a fivefold increase in electricity generation. This coating scheme has the potential to revolutionize microbial fuel cell technology and wastewater treatment.
During the 2014 FIFA World Cup, more than 60% of players involved in head collisions were not assessed by sideline health care personnel. This study highlights the importance of independent assessment and management of suspected concussions in soccer players.
A team of researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center will use recent technological advances in proteogenomics to identify biomarkers predicting treatment response and novel therapeutic targets for ovarian cancer. The goal is to improve understanding of drug resistance and ultimately enhance patient outcomes.
A community-wide effort to reduce childhood obesity in two low-income Massachusetts communities resulted in modest improvements among schoolchildren, suggesting a comprehensive approach holds promise. The study found reduced obesity prevalence, healthier beverage choices, and less screen time in intervention communities.
A recent study calls for strengthened human-wildlife conflict management in India due to the damage caused by up to 32 wildlife species. The research identifies effective prevention techniques, improved compensation schemes, and open dialogue between communities, governments, and conservationists as key solutions.
Researchers have discovered that Pramel7 protein is responsible for maintaining embryonic stem cells' perfect pluripotency. This discovery holds promise for developing treatments for complex bone fractures.
Scientists used an evolutionary medicine approach to estimate Alzheimer's disease causative genes by focusing on ohnologs, duplicated genes vulnerable to change in number. The study successfully identified a group of genes related to the nervous system and high brain expression levels similar to known AD-causative genes.
A new study analyzed flu samples from four transplant patients with long-lasting infections, revealing certain viral changes that matched global flu evolution trends. The researchers found that some mutations fixed in these patients would eventually take over the worldwide population of viruses.
The project will establish a digital 'Online Cyber Security System' decision support service to rapidly bring together information on system vulnerabilities and alert organisations that may be affected. The system aims to address the acute shortage of cyber security experts by providing an up-to-date threat assessment and decision supp...
A clinical trial found that noninvasive brain stimulation and physical therapy alone or in combination improve some measures of walking ability in patients with Parkinson's disease. Walking speed increased by an average of 19 percent, with improvements lasting for at least eight weeks after treatment.
Researchers at Columbia University found that seizures in mice spread across the brain in a sequential pattern, unaffected by seizure duration, according to a new study published in Cell Reports.
A RAND Corporation study found that providing medical care to patients with opioid addiction using three quality measures can significantly reduce death rates. These measures include not prescribing opioids or common anxiety medications, receiving psychosocial counseling, and having quarterly visits with a physician.
Researchers have developed a new photoacoustic technique that can detect gases at the parts-per-quadrillion level using three resonances to amplify the signal. This breakthrough enables the detection of low-concentration pollutants and has potential applications in environmental monitoring.
Girls experience higher rates of digital dating abuse and report more negative emotional responses compared to boys. Digital sexual coercion victimization also disproportionately affects girls due to societal expectations of prioritizing relationships and feeling entitled to sexual power over girls.
A study from UT Southwestern Medical Center reveals a network of neurons vital for learning vocalizations in songbirds, which may hold clues to addressing speech disorders in humans. The discovery complements ongoing research into the brain's role in vocal learning and its potential applications for treating neurodevelopmental conditions.
A study analyzing genetic test results, family histories, and disease status of nearly 95,600 women found that eight mutations are positively associated with breast cancer, while eleven are linked to ovarian cancer. The research provides clarity on the relative risk of developing cancer for women carrying these mutations.
Researchers found complex structures in male butterfly ejaculates and the adaptive responses in female reproductive tracts, shedding light on human infertility. The study's findings suggest that understanding these biochemical relationships could aid in unlocking mysteries of human reproduction.
Researchers develop Affimer technology to replicate antibodies, providing a more robust, smaller, and easier-to-modify alternative. This tool enables scientists to study molecular behavior and reactions with ease, leading to breakthroughs in disease research.
Scientists at UC Berkeley and UC Riverside have developed a gene editing technique using CRISPR/Cas9 technology to suppress mosquitoes carrying diseases like malaria. The new technique, multiplexing, can target multiple locations in a gene simultaneously, increasing the effectiveness of gene drive systems.
A study by the University of Zaragoza found Giardia and Cryptosporidium in 55% and 70% of drinking water plants, posing a public health risk despite low concentrations. The pathogens are resistant to chlorination and can trigger diarrheic outbreaks.
Research published in Water Resources and Rural Development finds that access to water is worse now than in 1990, highlighting the need for stronger leadership from governments to implement long-term interventions. The study suggests that current approaches by NGOs, private companies, and other organizations are not aligned strategical...
A British exit from the EMA could delay the availability of new medicines to the UK market, according to an independent health economist. The author argues that removal from the EMA would jeopardize access not only to emerging treatments but also cheaper off-brand counterparts once patents expire.
Two studies published in JAMA found that electroacupuncture improved symptoms of stress urinary incontinence, with effects persisting beyond treatment. However, acupuncture did not increase the likelihood of childbirth among women with infertility, suggesting further research is needed to understand its long-term efficacy.
Research reveals dose-dependent gadolinium deposits in normal brain tissue of patients who underwent MRI with contrast agents, suggesting a widespread issue. The study's findings contradict previous assumptions about the blood-brain barrier's impermeability to gadolinium.
A Dartmouth study found that adolescents in medical marijuana states with many dispensaries are more likely to try new methods of cannabis use, such as edibles and vaping, at a younger age. The researchers used online surveys distributed through Facebook to collect geographically diverse data on cannabis-related questions.
A recent study found that video advertisements from top tech companies feature predominantly white males, reinforcing traditional gender roles and perpetuating a lack of diversity in the tech industry. The researchers analyzed 54 videos featuring products and services, highlighting the underrepresentation of women, racial/ethnic minori...
Scientists at Lomonosov Moscow State University found that avobenzone, a popular UV filter in sunscreen products, breaks down into hazardous chemical compounds when exposed to chlorinated water and ultraviolet radiation. These compounds can be toxic and have been linked to liver and kidney dysfunction, as well as nervous system disorders.
Researchers discovered that semen amyloids help dispose of excess and defective sperm, facilitating immune cell removal and quality control. This process may favor the survival of fittest sperm and contribute to successful reproduction.
A clinical trial published in PLoS One found that over-the-counter magnesium supplementation is a safe and effective treatment option for mild to moderate depression. The study, led by Emily Tarleton, MS, RD, CD, involved 126 adults who received either 248mg of elemental magnesium per day or a placebo for six weeks, with significant im...
Researchers have found high levels of manganese and arsenic in Indian groundwater, highlighting the need for further study into their relationship and potential health risks. The study suggests that processes between manganese and dissolved organic matter may contribute to the distribution of arsenic in groundwater.
A phase 1 trial involving 100 people found that a dissolvable microneedle patch for the flu vaccine was safe and acceptable, with participants reporting high acceptability and preferring it over conventional injection. The patches were stable for one year at 40 degrees Celsius, reducing delivery and storage costs.
A recent study has found that the HERV-K Gag capsid interferes with HIV-1 assembly, resulting in reduced particle release and infectivity. The researchers observed a correlation between coassembly of HERV-K Gag and decreased HIV-1 particle formation.
Researchers have developed a natural bioplastic from soy protein capable of absorbing up to 36 times its own weight. The new material is environmentally friendly and has the potential to replace synthetic polymers used in hygiene products.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have mapped over 1,100 years of metaphoric English language to identify patterns in how humans create and understand metaphorical meaning. This study paves the way for future advances in artificial intelligence and natural language processing systems like Siri.
A survey of newly covered Michigan residents reveals that expanded Medicaid improved their job performance, allowing them to better do their jobs or seek new opportunities. The coverage also had a positive impact on physical and mental health, with nearly half of participants reporting an improvement in health.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding life's nanoscale machinery by developing a diagnostic technique that can detect tiny molecules signalling the presence of cancer. This technique uses quantum technologies to observe the behavior of single biomolecules without damaging light intensities.
Søren M. Bentzen and Louis B. Harrison have made significant contributions in clinical patient care, research, teaching, and service to the profession. Dr. Bentzen focuses on personalized medicine using big data to tailor treatments, while Dr. Harrison is a renaissance man of radiation oncology with varied accomplishments.
Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a new approach to metal catalysis that selectively converts biomass into high-value chemical products under mild conditions. The method uses high-valent transition metals, which offers better control over reactivity and reduces side reactions.
Studies in mice with a mutated CHD8 gene reveal cognitive impairment, increased brain volume, and excessive DNA packaging, shedding light on the genetic basis of autism. The findings suggest that CHD8 plays a role in brain development throughout life.
A new study reveals that PABPC1 is absent in adult heart cells but reappears when needed for growth during exercise and disease, suggesting a mechanism to promote healthy heart growth and prevent disease.
A study by University of Sydney researchers found that yoga can cause musculoskeletal pain in 10% of participants and exacerbate existing injuries up to 21%. The study's findings suggest that yoga is not as safe as previously thought, with an injury rate comparable to other sports.
The US has renewed funding for Brown University's addiction center, emphasizing efforts to address the growing opioid epidemic. The $3.8 million grant will support training programs for healthcare professionals and community-based organizations.
Researchers have discovered a new mobile colistin resistance gene, mcr-3, in Escherichia coli of pig origin, which may already be widely disseminated. The prevalence of mcr-3 is likely underestimated due to potential transfer between bacterial species.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new deep brain stimulation system that uses electrodes on top of the brain to sense movement and deliver targeted stimulation only when needed. This approach has shown promising results in reducing tremor symptoms, extending battery life, and improving patient performance.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older adults taking five or more medications have a slower walking speed. After accounting for chronic health problems and other factors, researchers confirmed a link between polypharmacy and reduced mobility.
Researchers have identified an asymmetric role for pre-synaptic cadherin/catenin complexes in stabilizing post-synaptic spines. This finding challenges the long-held assumption of symmetry in synaptogenesis and has implications for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder.
A National Institutes of Health-funded study found that moderate-intensity exercise reduced the risk of major mobility disability by 31% in older adults with extreme obesity. The structured physical activity program improved participants' ability to perform common daily activities, such as walking a block around the neighborhood.
Scientists at the University of Konstanz and Umea University have successfully generated a structural model of the adenylate kinase enzyme in its closed state. This breakthrough allows researchers to analyze the precise moment when the enzyme is biochemically active, shedding light on its biochemical mechanisms.
A new species of parrot has been identified in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, characterized by its distinctive blue covert feathers and loud, short call. The Blue-winged Amazon parrot is thought to have evolved from the White-fronted parrot around 120,000 years ago.
A £1.5 million study led by the University of Warwick is investigating two biomarkers to guide safe reduction in antibiotic treatment time for patients with suspected sepsis. The trial will compare survival rates, discharge times, and antibiotic usage across three groups.
Researchers found that multiparous female mice had increased metabolic risk but showed surprising resistance to ischemic brain injury and improved behavioral recovery after stroke. They exhibited less brain inflammation, smaller injuries, and enhanced angiogenesis compared to non-reproducing females.
A study by University of Utah researchers found that woodrats' livers are less efficient at breaking down toxins at higher temperatures, potentially affecting their diet and ecosystem. The reduction in liver function may be due to a tradeoff between thermoregulation and detoxification, leading to changes in gene expression and metabolism.
Bee-Zed asteroid, discovered in 2015, orbits the Sun every 12 years, corresponding with Jupiter's orbital period, and shares its orbit despite moving in the opposite direction. This retrograde co-orbit is rare, occurring only in about 82 of the more than 726,000 known asteroids.
A large Chinese survey found a prevalence of diabetes as high as 10.9%, while prediabetes affected nearly 36% of the population, similar to US rates.
Researchers used mathematics and MRI to better understand how neurological disorders affect brain connections. They discovered sub-networks called eigenmodes, which communicate information between brain regions.
A two-year community-wide intervention program led to improved weight management among preschoolers from low-income families, reducing their intake of sugary drinks and increasing sleep. The program also encouraged more physical activity and less screen time, with some non-Asian children showing decreases in adjusted BMI scores.
Researchers have detected orbital motion in a pair of supermassive black holes, marking the first-ever 'visual binary' of such systems. The two black holes are estimated to complete an orbit every 30,000 years and may merge millions of years later.
Researchers developed a genetic engineering approach to produce anthocyanin-rich purple endosperm in rice, offering potential health benefits against cancers and cardiovascular disease. The resulting purple rice holds promise as a biofortified food source.
A new paradigm of empathy-based medicine is needed to improve patient outcomes and reduce practitioner burnout. Technology can exploit available technologies to gather basic information prior to consultation and aid decision-making.