The study estimates that the average age of US scientists will increase by another 2.3 years in the near future, primarily due to the baby boomer generation getting older and scientists working longer. Despite concerns about productivity and creativity with aging, the research found no significant impact from demographic changes.
The STEP-UP program, supported by a $1.3 million NIH grant, provides biomedical research training to disadvantaged college undergraduates, promoting careers in biomedical research and academic medicine. Over 230 students have been trained, with 80% enrolling in doctoral or professional degree programs.
US physicians saw a 55.7% drop in paid malpractice claims over the 22-year period, with pediatricians experiencing the largest decline of 75.8%. The rate of payments also increased by 23.3%, while the amount of payment varied significantly among specialties.
Researchers found that adult male common wall lizards exposed to humans become habituated and hide less, with yellow lizards being the most tolerant. In contrast, red lizards exhibit increased sensitivity to potential attacks, suggesting a relationship between coloration and antipredator response.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that a simple behavioral economics technique, known as 'active choice,' can increase flu vaccination rates by up to 37%. By programming electronic health records to alert care providers when a patient is eligible for a flu vaccine, clinics saw significant increases in vaccinations. ...
A Duke University-led study using satellite images shows the Sacramento Valley in California has lost nearly all its wetlands, which are crucial for millions of migratory shorebirds. The habitat loss is threatening the survival of these birds, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
A high burden of iodine deficiency has been found in Israel's first national survey, with 62% of school-age children and 85% of pregnant women having low iodine intakes. The study highlights a serious public health concern, with implications for maternal and fetal hypothyroidism and impaired neurological development.
A study published in CMAJ found that Canadian-born children and youth are at a higher risk of unintentional gun injury compared to immigrant children and youth. The study identified certain subgroups of immigrants as being at higher risk of assault-related injury, particularly those from Africa and Central America.
Researchers observe ultrafast bonding of lithium ions with solvents, challenging existing theory on ion diffusion. The study reveals dynamic restructuring of the solvent shell during ion transport, indicating that electrolytes play an active role in transporting lithium ions.
A study by Allina Health researchers reveals that both patients and healthcare providers tend to delay conversations about serious illness. The study's findings emphasize the need for clinicians to discuss patients' social, emotional, and spiritual priorities to provide better end-of-life care.
Scientists at Aalto University have developed a method to arrange individual atoms to engineer electronic properties in artificial materials. The approach enables the creation of designer quantum materials with precise control over atomic structure.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) issues recommendations for preventing and treating substance use disorders involving illicit and prescription drugs. Key findings include limited access to care, with only 18% of those needing treatment receiving it, and the need for expanded public health initiatives and improved prescribing pr...
Researchers develop immunotherapy approach for prostate cancer by combining anti-hormonal drug with checkpoint inhibitors, driving T cells into tumors and blocking PD-L1/PD1 response. Targeting VISTA brake is also shown to inhibit immune response in human tumors.
A massive study of over 30,000 participants has identified 13 new genetic mutations that significantly increase the risk of developing glioma, the most common form of brain cancer. The research also strengthens evidence for previously known genes linked to glioma and other cancers.
The USDA has announced $300,000 in funding for initiatives offering farm safety education and certification to youth in agricultural production. The program aims to provide industry-recognized credentials and ensure vocational curricula align with current regulations.
A three-year research collaboration aims to create more accurate ways of measuring cancer progression. The project uses digital images from completed clinical trials to develop drug response metrics, with the goal of identifying optimal tumor burden measurement methods.
A team of scientists has discovered large-scale planetary waves on the Sun, which may influence space weather and offer a new source of predictability. The discovery uses data from multiple satellites to identify and track coronal bright points, revealing bands of magnetized activity that propagate slowly across the Sun.
A new UC Davis study found that video game users who received reminders played more often and experienced increased time spent playing, with some games increasing feelings of control over depression. The study, using six three-minute games, showed promise in reducing symptoms of mild depression.
Researchers have restored nerve insulation and improved limb mobility in mice with multiple sclerosis by treating them with a microRNA called miR-219. The treatment reinvigorated the function of damaged cells that produce myelin, allowing it to reform and reinsulate nerves.
American researchers have characterized 'gold fingers' using ion mobility mass spectrometry and identified the exact gold binding sites. The study reveals that gold ions force zinc ions out of zinc fingers, changing their conformation. This finding could lead to new metal-based antiviral and antitumor drugs.
Researchers found a connection between climate change and extreme weather events, such as heat waves, droughts, and floods, due to the impact of warming Arctic temperatures on the jet stream. The study used historical atmospheric observations and confirmed that this temperature pattern corresponds with persistent extreme weather events.
A study found that hospitalized patients value complementary treatments such as acupuncture and massage therapy, perceiving them helpful. Across various therapies, 33-71% of patients expressed willingness to pay out-of-pocket for these services.
Researchers have developed effective Zika virus nucleic acid amplification technology assays to screen donated blood supplies. The methods demonstrated excellent sensitivities and were substantially more sensitive than most other laboratory-developed and diagnostic Zika virus assays.
Researchers at University of Bath have developed a simple and cheap test to measure functional levels of AMACR protein, allowing for the investigation of new cancer treatments. The test turns clear liquid bright yellow in minutes, enabling quick analysis and development of new treatments.
Researchers found shorter telomeres in mice with a human genetic mutation linked to heart disease leads to deadly buildup of calcium in heart valves and vessels. The study provides a potential solution to studying other human disorders of aging in mice.
A recent study published in Phytobiomes found that the use of cereal rye as a cover crop can lead to elevated disease risk in corn. Researchers isolated and characterized oomycetes, including Pythium species, which were associated with cereal rye roots and passed on to corn seedlings.
Researchers used portable EEG to study social interactions in real-life settings like classrooms and museums, finding that brain synchrony increases with group cohesion and empathy. The studies also showed that eye contact at the beginning of an interaction can influence subsequent brain activity.
Tropical Cyclone Debbie has formed and strengthened in the Southern Pacific Ocean, threatening eastern Queensland, Australia. Powerful thunderstorms have developed around the center of circulation, with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong uplift and heavy rain potential.
A team of palaeontologists has discovered an unprecedented 21 different types of dinosaur tracks on the Dampier Peninsula coastline. The diversity of these tracks makes the area globally unparalleled and provides a unique glimpse into Australia's dinosaur fauna during the Early Cretaceous Period.
The study identified correlations between gene data and brain activity during memory processing, providing new insights into human memory. The researchers found that certain genes are distinct from those previously correlated with other types of cognitive processing and resting state fMRI activity.
Weyl semimetal TaAs crystals exhibit zero bias conductance peak and double conductance peaks upon PtIr tip contact, indicating unconventional superconductivity. The study opens a new method to induce potential topological superconductivity on non-superconducting materials.
A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals that northern oceans pumped CO2 into the atmosphere during past natural climate changes, contradicting previous assumptions of ocean's role. The research found that areas in Norwegian Sea released more greenhouse gas into the air during severe cooling periods.
Research from Umeå University found that women have a statistically significant lower incidence of severe psoriasis compared to men. Women with psoriasis had significantly lower median PASI values, indicating less severe disease.
Researchers at UNC are developing an injectable drug delivery system that forms a long-lasting implant to steadily release anti-HIV medication. The goal is to provide durable, sustained protection from HIV transmission while improving adherence and allowing for easy removal.
The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) proposes viewing mental health as a spectrum, rather than categorizing it. This system simplifies diagnosis by recognizing that most patients have co-occurring disorders and classifying psychopathology at multiple levels of hierarchy.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered that astroglia, or astrocytes, help set the pace of the suprachiasmatic nuclei to schedule a mouse's day. Altering astrocyte clocks slowed mice's sense of time, highlighting their influence on daily behavior and physiological processes.
Researchers at Emory University are studying the 3q29 deletion syndrome, a genetic mutation associated with a 40-fold increased risk for schizophrenia. They will create a neuronal model of the syndrome using induced pluripotent stem cells and integrate their research with other targets identified in genetic studies.
A special issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine reviews primary care innovation and suggests new models that prioritize population health and cost control. Experts highlight the importance of preserving trusting relationships between patients and primary care physicians to achieve better outcomes.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that survivors of childhood brain tumors have more fat tissue overall, especially around the abdomen, compared to healthy children. This increased body fat may program their future risk of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes, impacting their outcomes.
Tropical cyclone Caleb formed on March 23 with heaviest precipitation near its western side, dropping rain at nearly 84 mm/h. The system will slow and weaken due to increasing wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures over the next 3 days.
Researchers found that specific brain scan patterns can identify which treatment is most effective for individual patients with depression. Patients with positive connectivity in certain brain regions were more likely to achieve remission with cognitive behavioral therapy, while those with negative connectivity were more likely to resp...
A new study found that certain bacterial species and fungal families are present in both land-based sources and coral reefs, suggesting invasion. The researchers used high-throughput DNA sequencing to analyze water samples from coastal inlets, sewage treatment plants, and coral tissues.
New technologies enable basic scientists to build upon clinical genomicist work, promoting a virtuous cycle of bench-to-bedside collaboration. The researchers' recommendations prioritize data sharing, clinically relevant genes, and better data-management practices.
Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute develop a prototype lab-on-a-chip platform for automating molecular pathogen detection, enabling diagnostics in previously inaccessible situations. The platform integrates multiple processes without increasing complexity, promising to simplify pathogen analysis.
Capillaries in the brain's wire-like network can sense activity and generate signals to direct blood flow and deliver nutrients to neurons. This mechanism enables precise control over cerebrovascular blood flow to meet the brain's changing energy needs.
Chinese scientists have developed a fluorogenic probe, CVB-1, to detect the activity of multidrug-resistant carbapenemases in an assay system. This technique allows for rapid detection of antibiotic resistance activity by fluorescence, enabling specific treatment strategies and reducing the overuse of ineffective drugs.
A study published in ACS Chemical Neuroscience confirms that lorcaserin decreases the urge to use opiates like oxycodone, reducing use and craving. The researchers found that lorcaserin alters serotonin signaling to reduce cue reactivity associated with opiate use.
Declining plant diversity shifts flowering phenology at the same magnitude as global warming, according to a new study. This finding highlights the critical role of biotic interactions in understanding ecosystem changes and the impact on plant reproduction.
Researchers discovered that virus surface proteins can be used to improve vaccine purification by understanding their hydrophobic properties. By analyzing the protein structures and interactions with other surfaces, scientists hope to develop more efficient methods for detecting and concentrating viruses.
A team of chemists from Konstanz University has made a significant discovery about the effects of selective mutations on the alpha-synuclein protein. By applying magnetic probes to the protein, they found that these changes disturb the binding of alpha-synuclein to membranes.
Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology developed a method to predict protein structures using statistical analyses. This approach allows for the prediction of even complex protein structures without experimental determination, potentially leading to new treatments for diseases like Alzheimer's.
High-intensity physical activity for as little as 10 minutes a day may benefit young people with large waist measurements and elevated insulin levels. The study found that vigorous exercise was associated with reduced waist circumference and insulin levels, but had inconsistent effects on other biomarkers.
Robert J. Gatchel, a renowned University of Texas at Arlington psychologist, has been awarded the American Psychological Foundation's 2017 Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in the Application of Psychology. He was recognized for his groundbreaking work on chronic pain behavior and its treatment.
A new supplement published in Neurosurgery highlights the need for neurosurgeons to evolve their practices to thrive in an evolving environment. Dr. Dong H. Kim's recommendations focus on improving patient satisfaction, reducing costs, and enhancing quality outcomes through quality improvement initiatives and innovative approaches.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh found that disease spread varies depending on age at exposure and maternal age. Younger offspring were more susceptible to infection when mothers were younger, contradicting expectations that disease spreads in dense populations.
The common periwinkle has evolved a unique strategy for detoxifying heavy metals, featuring a three-domain metallothionein with increased binding capacity. This adaptation enables the snail to thrive in polluted environments.
A new EU report highlights knowledge gaps in reducing risks linked to space weather and recommends policy, industry, and science collaborations to close these gaps. The report also emphasizes the need for early warning systems and better communication between science and industry.
A new gene variant has been identified in the PTPRD gene that is associated with the accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain. The study found that this variant affects more than one mechanism of tangle accumulation and may be a key target for developing therapies targeting Tau pathology.
A low-pressure system is consolidating and strengthening in the Coral Sea, South Pacific Ocean, with sustained winds near its center. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology expects conditions to favor intensification as it approaches the north Queensland coast.
Scientists have identified a brown dwarf with a composition of over 99.99% hydrogen and helium, making it the most massive known to date. The discovery sheds light on the possibility of an undiscovered population of extremely pure brown dwarfs in our galaxy's ancient past.