Researchers at the University of Geneva have created a self-testing quantum random number generator that ensures reliability and unpredictability. This device allows users to verify generated numbers in real-time, making it difficult for hackers to exploit bias or imperfections.
A new study reveals that human activity has polluted European air almost uninterruptedly for the last ca. 2000 years. Lead pollution from mining and smelting was detectable well before the Industrial Revolution and only when the Black Death pandemic halted those activities did lead in the air return to natural levels.
Researchers have developed a new drug delivery strategy to block pain within nerve cells, offering a major breakthrough in treating chronic pain. The target protein, NK1 receptor, is controlled once it enters the cell, allowing for more effective pain suppression.
A three-year survey found highly acidic water throughout the California Current System, with "hotspots" of pH measurements as low as any oceanic surface waters in the world. Researchers identified refuges of more moderate pH environments that could be used to manage ecosystems and mitigate the effects of acidification.
A new study from Uppsala University found that tea consumption in women leads to epigenetic changes in genes related to cancer and estrogen metabolism. However, coffee consumption was not associated with such changes.
Researchers found that cold-resistant pig breeds such as Tibetan and Min pigs use UCP3 to produce heat, unlike other breeds that rely on shivering. This discovery has important implications for the swine industry and could lead to new strategies for reducing neonatal mortality in cold climates.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a handheld device for cervical cancer screening that can capture images of the cervix without a speculum or trained professional. The 'pocket colposcope' is designed to be low-cost, accessible, and potentially self-screening.
Researchers are conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial using Lutetium 177Lu-PSMA-617 to target PSMA in men with progressive prostate cancer. The therapy aims to deliver precise radiation therapy and shrink the cancer, even in cases without visible tumors.
Researchers at Tsinghua University outline recent advances on nonparametric Bayesian methods, regularized Bayesian inference, scalable algorithms, and system implementation to tackle the challenges of Big Data. They also discuss connections with deep learning and highlight the need for human expertise in devising appropriate features a...
A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that a parent's outlook on life can have a profound influence on their child's behavior, eating, and sleeping patterns. Internally controlled parents tend to exhibit traits such as persistence, responsibility, and delayed gratification, which positively impact their children's deve...
A healthy ocean can contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, alleviating poverty, providing livelihoods, and improving global health. The report highlights the critical need for ocean sustainability to address climate change, social inequity, and other challenges.
A new study from Arizona State University found alarmingly high rates of substance abuse among young adults from affluent communities. The research, published in Development and Psychopathology, shows that up to 40% of men and 19-24% of women develop addiction by age 26.
Ludwig scientists will present four clinical trials of checkpoint antibody combination immunotherapies to treat patients with advanced solid tumors, multiple myeloma, and glioblastoma. They will also share findings on other topics, including circulating tumor DNA in early diagnosis and treatment.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that engaging with children while reading books gives their brain a cognitive boost. The study shows that 'dialogic reading,' where the child is encouraged to actively participate, can improve literacy skills and comprehension.
Researchers at Texas A&M University found that brain damage from stroke can increase an individual's preference for alcohol over water. The study used animal models and suggested that the brain's response to a stroke may play a role in increasing alcohol-seeking behavior.
A study suggests that lowering systolic blood pressure to below the current recommended targets can significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause death. The researchers analyzed data from 42 clinical trials involving over 144,000 patients with hypertension.
Researchers have developed a potential new diabetes treatment that uses a 'sugar sponge' to regulate glucose levels. The system, which consists of a lectin-coated polymer vesicle, can absorb glucose when levels are high and release it when levels are low. In laboratory tests and mouse studies, the treatment showed antidiabetic effects.
Scientists at the University of York found that the 1976 drought was the most devastating event for butterflies and moths in 50 years. The study measured data against extreme weather events since 1968, revealing a significant impact on over 50 species. Researchers warn that global warming may exacerbate such events in the future.
Researchers developed a tethered soft exosuit that reduces the metabolic cost of running on a treadmill by 5.4% compared to not wearing the exosuit. The study tested two different assistance profiles, one based on human biology and another based on simulation, with the latter outperforming the former in reducing metabolic cost.
The Hastings Center Report explores the ethics of opioid treatment agreements, which critics say are ethically suspect. The authors conclude that the purpose of these agreements is to disclose their requirements to patients, promoting mutual decision-making on pain management programs. In contrast, some experts propose replacing agreem...
Researchers developed a DNA vaccine targeting HPV 16/18 to generate immune responses in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The therapy was safe and well-tolerated, with 18 of 22 patients showing elevated T cell activity specific to HPV 16/18.
Scientists used the world's most powerful X-ray laser to create a 'molecular black hole' that pulled in surrounding electrons, stripping away more than 50 electrons from a single atom. The results provide fundamental insights into how to better plan and interpret experiments using intense X-rays.
Dr. Michael Stanton-Hicks is a pioneer in the management of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), with extensive contributions to neurostimulation and chronic pain research. He has bridged advances in neurostimulation, taxonomizing CRPS, and improved patient care through his work at the Cleveland Clinic.
Microglia, the brain's front line of immune defense, have been characterized for the first time. Genes linked to neurological diseases are highly expressed in microglia, suggesting a link between the cells and neurodegenerative and psychiatric illnesses.
Researchers at Hokkaido University developed a gold compound that turns invisible when ground into a fine powder, emitting only infrared light. The substance's unique property has significant implications for bioimaging and the creation of invisible security inks.
Two scientists, Charles Perdrisat and Charles Sinclair, are jointly awarded the JSA Outstanding Nuclear Physicist Prize for their groundbreaking contributions to nuclear physics research. Their innovative techniques have significantly advanced our understanding of nucleon structure through pioneering measurements.
Carl June, MD, a renowned cancer and HIV gene therapy pioneer, will receive the American Society of Clinical Oncology's highest scientific honor. He is recognized for his groundbreaking development of personalized chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, which has shown remarkable success in treating various cancers.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched an initiative to tackle the opioid crisis, focusing on developing better overdose reversal and prevention interventions, finding new medications and technologies to treat addiction, and creating safe strategies for managing chronic pain.
A study found that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have impaired ability to understand others' feelings and intentions, linked to subtle brain changes, particularly in the white matter of the brain. The results suggest a disconnect in the social brain network, affecting quality of life and daily interactions.
A team of neuroscientists discovered a crucial connection between the adult female prairie vole's brain reward system that promotes pair bonds. They found that communication between areas of the brain predicts how quickly each female prairie vole becomes affiliative with her partner.
A recent study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that approximately half of adults with anxiety or depression also experience chronic pain. Chronic physical conditions were most common among individuals with mood disorders, followed by respiratory diseases and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers from Novartis and collaborators have discovered a novel drug candidate, KDU731, to combat the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium, which causes cryptosporidiosis. This breakthrough offers hope for new treatment options against this disease, which currently has no effective treatments or vaccines.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have developed a test called the radiosensitivity index to determine how sensitive a patient's tumor is to radiation therapy. This allows them to select the optimum radiotherapy dose for each patient based on their individual tumor biology.
Researchers at Hokkaido University found that bamboo's natural fiber distribution is optimized for maximum flexural rigidity while minimizing wood volume. This study sheds light on the potential of biomimetics in developing lightweight and tough materials.
Research highlights social and emotional learning as critical to understanding how students succeed in school. Experts emphasize the need for teacher training and assessment tools to support these skills.
New ultrathin films with varying properties are being created, falling into five major groups: MXenes, Xenes, organic materials, transition metal dichalcogenides, and nitrides. These materials have flexible, transparent, and tunable properties, and some are electrical conductors or insulators.
Researchers have discovered that a single protein in mycobacteria allows the bacteria to generate diverse populations that can evade TB drugs. Blocking this protein may reduce mycobacterial diversity and shorten treatment courses.
A new study suggests that cognitive tests can detect early Alzheimer's disease in people without symptoms. The study found that individuals with amyloid plaques performed worse on neuropsychological tests than those without, highlighting the potential for routine cognitive screenings to identify preclinical Alzheimer's disease.
After making landfall in Bangladesh, NASA's satellite data showed Cyclone Mora still packing a punch with heavy rain and high cloud tops. The storm's internal structure was revealed using radar data, indicating intense rainfall bands over southeastern Bangladesh.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have gained insights into STIM1's molecular determinants for calcium flux activation. The study reveals that the transmembrane, first coiled-coil, and cytosolic domains of STIM1 are crucial for controlling calcium entry into mammalian cells.
A study at UT Southwestern Medical Center has identified over 100 genes linked to memory processing in the human brain. The researchers hope that these findings will lead to better understanding and treatment of conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that oxytocin administration reduced drug-seeking behavior and relapse in methamphetamine-addicted rats. Oxytocin was shown to decrease motivation to acquire the drug and reduce relapse, with the effects strongest in animals with high motivation.
Researchers found that tourists often mistake wild monkeys' aggressive facial expressions for friendly or neutral ones, leading to increased risk of injury and disease transmission. The study suggests educating tourists through videos or guided visits with expert guides could improve both animal welfare and tourist experience.
A Penn study found that acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) regulates gene expression in neurons to form and store spatial memories. Blocking ACSS2 impairs long-term memory, suggesting a potential target for neurological disorders like anxiety and depression.
Researchers found biochemical differences in astronauts with vision issues before space travel, suggesting a genetic predisposition. The study suggests that length of time in space may impact eye health and that further research is needed to resolve vision issues for astronauts.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that migratory Nathusius and Soprano bats are attracted to artificial green light, which could disrupt their flight paths. The researchers exposed bats to brief periods of green light at a wavelength of 520nm, recording increased calling activity near the light source.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania reveals that a low resting heart rate partly explains the higher rate of criminal offending among men. The research found that heart rate partially mediated the relationship between gender and all types of adult criminal offending, including violent and nonviolent crime.
UCL researchers found that people factor in the number of reviews when making judgments, as well as the average rating, to assess a product's desirability. The study used fMRI scans and showed that brain areas active in social cognition are involved in integrating online reviews.
Shigella uses multiple mechanisms to resist bile salts in the small intestine, including antibiotic resistance and increased virulence gene expression. The formation of protective biofilms allows the bacteria to survive transit through the small intestine and infect tissues in the colon.
A study found that repeated exposure to anesthesia during infancy results in impaired visual recognition memory, which emerges after the first year of life. The research used a rhesus monkey model and confirmed that multiple anesthesia exposures alone lead to memory impairment, with deficits not apparent until later developmental stages.
A study led by Columbia University Medical Center has shown that chronic pain may occur when pain receptors migrate from the nerve cell's surface to the cell's inner chambers. This discovery may lead to the development of a new class of medications for chronic pain that is more potent and less prone to side effects.
Researchers from Arizona State University have decoded the Mojave Desert tortoise's genome, which could aid in its survival by understanding genetic adaptations to disease and harsh environmental conditions. The study's findings may also inform conservation strategies to preserve this threatened species.
Researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University develop new equations to conduct XRF analysis with higher accuracy, reducing the need for reference materials and enabling analysis of complex composition samples. The method uses internal standardization and computations to compensate experimental factors and operate in wider ranges.
A team led by the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has discovered a novel microbial process that can break down toxic methylmercury in the environment. This process could reduce mercury toxicity levels and support health and risk assessments, particularly in fish consumption.
Researchers found that immigrants to a new environment can survive and even reproduce better than the local population when they are rare. This is due to their unique immune system, which allows them to avoid competition for food and evade parasites. The study has implications for species restoration and conservation efforts.
Tropical Depression Two-E forms near southwestern Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 30mph and higher gusts. The depression is expected to strengthen during the next 48 hours and become a tropical storm on June 1.
A phase 2 clinical trial of scyllo-inositol found the treatment to be safe and tolerable in young adults with Down syndrome. The study suggests further investigation into its potential for treating Alzheimer's disease in this population.
Researchers discovered that fish can modulate fin stiffness by applying a u-shaped curvature at the base of their fins, altering force generation on the water. This allows them to swim with varying speeds and maneuverability in different currents. The study's findings could inspire the design of more agile robotic swimmers.
In a Phase 2 clinical trial, adding an experimental drug to standard chemotherapy improved progression-free survival by four months in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer and high levels of hyaluronic acid in their tumors. The results suggest the benefit of the treatment is restricted to patients with this specific biomarker.
At ASCO 2017, SWOG investigators reported trials involving more than 10 cancer types and presented results on treatment-resistant metastatic colorectal cancer, breast cancer chemotherapies, high-risk prostate cancer, and the benefits of public funding for cancer research. The group's research has led to the approval of 14 cancer drugs,...