A Finnish study finds that moderate cardiorespiratory fitness protects against fatty liver, a significant public health concern linked to metabolic disturbances and cardiovascular disease. Achieving cardiorespiratory fitness can help mitigate the risk of fatty liver, regardless of weight status.
A new computer model assesses real-time Zika epidemic risk in US cities by combining population dynamics, historical infection rates, socioeconomics, and mosquito density. The model predicts that certain counties in Texas have the highest risk of Zika transmission, while others have nearly no risk.
Astronomers have confirmed the existence of separate inner and outer disk structures around epsilon Eridani, similar to the asteroid and Kuiper belts in our solar system. The star's debris disk is thought to be a key to understanding the evolution of our solar system.
Research suggests that pharmaceutical promotion can lead to overprescription of brand-name medications. The study found that top-selling and top-prescribed drugs were more likely to be effective, safe, affordable, novel, and represent a genuine advance in treating a disease. However, heavily promoted drugs often fell short in these areas.
A new study found that northern and northeastern China's surface temperature has increased, while wind speed decreased from 1961 to 2014. This trend indicates a stable, warm, and windless state of the surface weather conditions over NNEC.
A study by Georgia Institute of Technology and FDA researchers found a new factor contributing to dangerous electrical turbulence in the heart, including varying amplitude of action potential. This discovery could lead to new methods for predicting and preventing life-threatening cardiac fibrillation.
The discovery of Vouivria damparisensis, an early titanosauriform, provides important evidence on the evolution of brachiosaurid sauropods and their spread across Europe. The fossil reveals that Vouivria died at a young age, weighed around 15,000 kg, and was over 15 meters long.
New research published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology found that smoking decreases frequencies of MAIT cells in healthy individuals and patients with multiple sclerosis. This discovery sheds light on the effects of smoking on the immune system, potentially revealing pathogenic mechanisms contributing to autoimmune diseases.
Researchers at Nagoya Institute of Technology created a novel coating process that simplifies the industrial method of electrophoretic deposition, reducing energy demands and costs. The new coating surface is achieved by incorporating non-ionic polymers with a 'colorless' color, enabling mass production in various colors.
A green alga living in the cells of spotted salamanders undergoes molecular changes that stress its energy production, while salamander cells remain unaffected. The symbiotic relationship is unusual and may have implications for other symbiotic systems.
Chemists at FAU have developed a novel synthetic route towards antiviral quinazoline heterocycles using metal-free domino processes. This approach reduces lab work time, costs, and waste, while creating new compounds with intrinsic fluorescence properties.
A novel compound called AV-C triggers a cell's innate antiviral system, inhibiting replication of Zika, Chikungunya, and Dengue viruses. Researchers discovered the compound through high-throughput screening, which shows potential as an antiviral immunotherapy.
A study analyzing raindrop size distribution data over Tibet and southern China reveals significant microphysical differences in precipitation. The results indicate lower raindrop number concentrations for convective precipitation in Tibet, while larger raindrops show similar characteristics in both regions.
A global consortium has created the first map of bipolar disorder's impact on the brain, revealing clear differences in brain regions controlling inhibition and emotion. The study found significant thinning of gray matter in patients with bipolar disorder, particularly in areas responsible for emotional regulation.
Research suggests that excessive Hsf1 activation can lead to delayed neural migration in embryos, potentially increasing the risk of congenital brain disorders. This study's findings raise concerns about the safety of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
Researchers from Osaka University developed an optical system for full-field X-ray microscopes that eliminates chromatic aberrations, allowing for the resolution of 50-nm features with high stability. The system, featuring two monolithic imaging mirrors, has been applied in spectromicroscopy experiments and shows promise for various ap...
Researchers at NIST have published the first data on the thermodynamic properties of amantadine hydrochloride, including its response to heat and decomposition. This information is valuable for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries to optimize production yields and shelf life.
Wake Forest University chemistry professor Michael Gross has been awarded a $500,000 NSF CAREER grant to develop nanomaterials at high temperatures. The award aims to support his research on more efficient fuel cell technologies, benefiting both Wake Forest's engineering program and its students.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute discovered that invasive tumors can send out tumor cells earlier than thought, which may seed secondary tumors years later. The escaping cells enter the bloodstream by entering blood vessels deep within the dense tumor core, upending the long-held belief about metastatic cell origin.
Researchers found that patients with advanced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) tend to have more Proteobacteria and fewer Firmicutes in their stool than those with early stage NAFLD. A stool-based test for NAFLD is being developed using microbial patterns, which could potentially diagnose the condition earlier and more easily.
Dr. Tim Cross, UTIA chancellor, receives the Southern Extension Service Award for Excellence in Leadership from ASRED for his exemplary service to the national land-grant university system. His work has made a significant impact in areas such as farm management and policy development.
A new study reveals that cerebral veins play a crucial role in regulating the brain's blood flow by storing and releasing blood throughout the cardiac cycle. This finding has significant implications for understanding diseases such as vascular dementia and normal pressure hydrocephalus.
A recent study found that significant weight loss over a 48-month period can slow down knee joint cartilage degeneration. Patients who lost more than 10% of their body weight showed lower rates of cartilage degeneration compared to those with stable weight.
A new computational approach developed at Boston Children's Hospital uses Granger causality analysis to identify the brain regions responsible for seizures. This technology enables surgeons to plan surgeries more accurately and reduce the risk of complications.
Researchers used a coarse-grain approach to model the behavior of fluids in tiny pores within shale rock. The simulations incorporated high-resolution imagery of shale samples, allowing for better probing of the underlying physics. This new understanding could lead to more efficient oil and gas extraction methods.
A study by NIH-funded researchers found that policies restricting pharmaceutical promotion to physicians resulted in fewer prescribed promoted drugs and more non-promoted drugs in the same drug classes. The analysis encompassed over 16 million prescriptions, showing a modest but significant decline in the use of promoted drugs.
New research shows that limiting pharmaceutical sales representatives' marketing tactics changes their drug prescribing behaviors, with a significant decrease in the market share of detailed drugs. The study found that restrictions on gifts and meals led to physicians switching to generic, significantly cheaper drugs.
Researchers discovered specific genetic changes in placentas of women who gave birth to growth-restricted infants, which sabotage placental blood vessel growth and fetal nourishment. These changes can be used as a biomarker to predict normal pregnancy and newborn health.
Researchers found that fish biomass is 62% higher in Sudanese reefs compared to Saudi Arabian reefs, highlighting the effect of fishing on local ecosystems. The study suggests that careful management and protection could restore Saudi's reefs to their former state, making them suitable for eco-tourism
Researchers at Western University developed a simple blood test to identify physiological changes causing resistant hypertension, leading to improved treatment outcomes. The study found that patients treated with the test had 50% controlled blood pressure after one year, compared to 11.1% in those receiving usual treatment.
A new chemical recycling method has been developed to recycle carbon fiber composites, which are difficult to break down or recycle. The method uses mild acids and low temperatures to break down the thermosets, preserving the carbon fibers in a useful form that can be easily reused.
Consuming avocados may be associated with better diet quality, higher intake of essential nutrients, lower body weight, lower BMI, and smaller waist circumference. Avocado consumers also have lower insulin and homocysteine levels, as well as a reduced incidence of metabolic syndrome.
A new study analyzed high-resolution satellite data to quantify the impact of China's afforestation programs, finding that most new tree cover consists of sparse, low-density plantations. The research provides valuable insights for policymakers and researchers, enabling them to track returns from tree-planting investments and identify ...
A study found that nearly half of US physicians (48%) received industry payments, totaling $2.4 billion in 2015. Surgeons received significantly higher average payments ($6,879) compared to primary care physicians ($2,227).
A systematic review by Aarhus University researchers documents that ECT-related deaths are extremely rare, with only one reported death out of 414,747 treatments. The study highlights the procedure's highly beneficial effects on mental disorders, outweighing potential side effects like memory impairment.
Bob Woods, a UTA mechanical engineering professor, has been named a 2017 Piper Professor. He is the 10th UTA professor to receive this honor, which recognizes outstanding college professors across Texas.
University at Buffalo researchers have successfully reproduced Parkinson's brain oscillations in a petri dish using stem cells. This breakthrough could speed up the development of new treatments and even lead to a cure for Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at Boston University's Center for Regenerative Medicine have developed a way to grow and purify the earliest lung progenitors from human stem cells, creating tiny 'bronchospheres' that model cystic fibrosis. The breakthrough could lead to new personalized medicine approaches for treating lung disease.
Researchers at University of Warwick study brain tumor cells to investigate the cause of genetic defects in cancer cells. They aim to better understand how these problems occur and potentially develop drugs to stop cancer cells forming.
Researchers have identified two sarcoma subtypes, leiomyosarcoma and pleomorphic, as likely susceptible to immunotherapy. The study analyzed 81 patient samples, revealing patterns of immune response that suggest these subtypes can be targeted with checkpoint inhibitors.
A new study found the Antarctic Peninsula's glaciers are losing ice at a rate of 15 cubic kilometers per year, not three times as much as previously reported. The glacier speed increase is attributed to ocean melting and warming, causing dynamical imbalance in Western Palmer Land.
A monitor lizard species from the island of New Ireland in northern Papua New Guinea has been re-described and found to be a separate species from the common mangrove monitor. The species, Varanus douarrha, was lost in a shipwreck over 180 years ago.
A recent study found that genetics play a significant role in determining social media use, accounting for one-third to two-thirds of the variance. The research used twin study survey data and provided an analytical blueprint for studying genetic influence on communication behaviors.
Researchers at USC Viterbi are working on three MURI projects: one on cybersecurity to combat increasing threats, another on advancing quantum computing, and a third on developing improved polymers for energy use. These grants bring $8.4M in funding to support innovative research in these areas.
Researchers used PET/CT scans to determine the potential effectiveness of bevacizumab treatment in children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). The study found that non-invasive imaging can help predict therapeutic potential and toxicity, paving the way for personalized medicine approaches.
The ResistoMap tool helps identify national trends in antibiotic use and control antibiotic resistance globally. By analyzing human gut microbiota, the map reveals correlations between antibiotic use patterns and resistome variations, shedding light on the global battle against antibiotic resistance.
ORNL's software significantly speeds up microscopy image analysis, allowing researchers to explore how neurons migrate in the brain. The lab also made bioenergy advancements by identifying a bottleneck in breaking down woody plants for biofuels, and developed an ecosystem modeling method that can pinpoint key uncertainties.
Researchers captured dramatic footage of wild cuttlefish fighting over a mate, showcasing their unique posturing, skin displays, and aggressive behavior. The analysis suggests that this behavior follows the mutual assessment model of game theory, indicating a high level of cognitive ability.
Researchers at New Jersey Institute of Technology are investigating solar physics to improve prediction and countermeasures for explosive solar events. They're using high-resolution radio data from state-of-the-art telescopes like Owens Valley Solar Array.
A Florida Atlantic University study found that blogs from the opposition had a significant impact on shifting political perceptions and electoral outcomes in Russia. Exposure to dissident content on Western social media platforms played a crucial role in fueling skepticism about electoral fraud.
A study published in JAMA found that policies restricting pharmaceutical detailing associated with modest but significant reductions in prescribing of detailed drugs across six major drug classes. The implementation of these policies led to a shift away from detailed drugs and towards generic drugs, potentially representing a large red...
The University of Illinois Chicago has received an $8 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to develop effective tobacco tax systems in low- and middle-income countries. The grant will support global research, policy development, and public awareness campaigns to reduce worldwide demand for tobacco.
A new paper reveals that evolution has optimized two fundamental biological processes, DNA replication and protein translation, to prioritize speed over accuracy. The research suggests that a few mistakes are tolerable as long as the majority of biopolymers produced are correct, and energy savings can be significant.
Researchers used simulations to show that plasma from hypervelocity impacts creates damaging electromagnetic radiation by separating ions and electrons at different speeds. The study aims to verify the theory of senior author Sigrid Close, who previously suggested that hypervelocity impact plasmas are responsible for satellite failures.
A new study by BYU social work professor Kevin Shafer finds that a father's depression can have a direct effect on both internalized and externalized behavioral problems in adolescents. In contrast to maternal depression, which affects children more subtly, a dad's depression impacts kids with heightened anger and aggression.
Geologists used radioactive elements trapped in calcite crystals to create a 'clock' that measured the age of each event, revealing 13 distinct seismic events over 400,000 years. The study sheds light on the mechanics of earthquakes in intraplate faults and their relationship with human activities.
A new report suggests that changes in wastewater injection rates in disposal wells may have led to the Pawnee earthquake, the largest recorded in Oklahoma since the 1950s. The quake was triggered by wastewater produced by oil and gas drilling injected back into the ground.
A new study by University of Eastern Finland reveals that losses reduce subsequent risk taking among horse race bettors and similar situations. Bettors tend to avoid losses and break even at the very least, whereas gains lead to increased bets but not exceeding earlier gains.
A recent analysis of data from a critical epidemiological study found no association between formaldehyde exposure and acute myeloid leukemia. The study's findings contradict previous studies that reported associations between formaldehyde exposure and certain types of leukemia.
Researchers at Georgia State University are testing a new mobile phone application that combines two existing programs to decrease maternal depression and build parenting skills. The project aims to promote infant social-emotional health and development, with the potential to reach larger numbers of mothers than traditional programs.