A study from Karolinska Institutet shows that observing others' pain or anxiety activates the same regions in the brain involved in self-perceived pain. This sensitivity can lead to anxiety syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in some individuals.
A study published in Current Biology reveals that brain networks become increasingly divided into distinct modules during adolescence, which influences improvements in executive function. The findings suggest that modular sub-networks are critical for complex cognition and behavior, and may predict risks for mental illnesses.
Researchers at Cornell University have observed a previously unknown characteristic of water surrounding DNA, revealing a chiral water superstructure that follows the iconic helical structure of DNA. This discovery has significant implications for understanding reactivity and biology in biological systems.
A study by Columbia University Irving Medical Center reveals that preeclampsia significantly increases stroke risk in pregnant women with infections, chronic high blood pressure, or bleeding/clotting disorders. The risk of stroke after delivery is also a concern for mothers with preeclampsia.
Researchers found Zika-infected monkey fetuses showed unusual inflammation in the eyes, retina, and optic nerves, suggesting a wider threat in human pregnancies than previously thought. The study used animal models to study the progression of infection and associated health problems, opening doors for studying other infections and pote...
Research finds fathers of toddler daughters are more attentive and responsive to their needs, singing more often and using emotional language. In contrast, fathers of sons engage in rough-and-tumble play and use achievement-related language. These differences may impact future academic success and social development.
A new study found that women with preeclampsia are seven times more likely to have severe preeclampsia or eclampsia if they also have pregnancy-associated stroke. Infections and chronic high blood pressure were also linked to an increased risk of stroke in these women.
Research published in Science journal found that sediment warming contributed to the severity of the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami, killing over 250,000 people. The study suggests a similar mechanism could be at play in other subduction zones worldwide.
A new study suggests that bouldering may be used to effectively treat symptoms of depression, with participants who immediately began the intervention showing a 6.27-point improvement in depression scores compared to those who waited, improving from moderate to mild depression levels.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a vanadium catalyst that enhances the hydrogenation process, previously dominated by expensive precious metals. The breakthrough involves synthesizing vanadium in a unique configuration, demonstrating its catalytic activity.
A team of scientists found that dehydration of minerals deep below the ocean floor influenced the severity of the 2004 Sumatra earthquake. The researchers used ocean drilling samples to understand the process and its potential impact on other subduction zones.
Researchers have redesigned a portion of an FDA-approved drug to treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), restoring the central nervous system's immune defenses. The new therapy may boost self-cleansing mechanism of the human brain, improving lives of millions.
A new study published in Science magazine reveals that US nuclear regulators are relying on flawed analysis to justify their refusal to adopt critical safety measures. The consequences of a catastrophic nuclear-waste fire could be considerably larger than the Fukushima accident, forcing millions of people to relocate and resulting in $...
A new cost-benefit analysis suggests that a supervised facility in Baltimore could generate $7.8 million in annual savings by reducing overdose deaths, HIV and hepatitis C infections, hospitalizations and bringing people into treatment. The study found that such a space would save thousands of lives and prevent numerous overdoses.
Scientists have developed a new model that predicts Sahel summer rainfall with high accuracy, enabling decision-makers to anticipate future cycles of droughts and floods. This improved understanding has the potential to help local communities become increasingly resilient to the region's variable climate.
Researchers at NC State University have discovered a method to control light with electric fields, allowing for significant, tunable changes in the refractive index of materials. This breakthrough could lead to applications in virtual reality, animation, and camouflage.
The UK's two-tier system balances individual concerns about genetic discrimination with insurer needs, while Australia and Canada face challenges in regulating insurers' use of genetic information. A comparative study found that the UK's moratorium on predictive genetic test results for life insurance policies below £500,000 helps main...
A new study by Emory University finds that fathers of daughters are more attentive to their children, use more emotion language, and engage in more nurturing play. Fathers of sons, on the other hand, tend to be more rough-and-tumble with their kids and use more analytical language.
Podoconiosis is preventable by wearing shoes in areas with red clay minerals, yet many Ethiopian children have misconceptions about the disease and its prevention. Research found that children believed barefoot exposure to dew or pond water was a risk factor, despite knowing symptoms and benefits of proper footwear.
A 12-week tai chi program significantly reduced depression symptoms in Chinese Americans. The study found sustained improvement at 24 weeks, with the group receiving tai chi showing greater reduction in symptoms compared to control groups.
Researchers combined data from three spacecraft to show that Jupiter's brightest auroral features are powered by both volcanic moon Io and interaction with the solar wind. The energy is transferred at speeds approaching 400-800 km/s, challenging previous assumptions about magnetic fields' dominance.
A new study published in Current Developments in Nutrition found that lean pork as part of a weight-loss diet can lead to significant weight loss, improved physical function, and better adherence to the diet among obese women. Both groups experienced improvements in functional capacity at six months, with African American women experie...
Researchers developed a novel urine test to diagnose adherence to blood pressure medications, finding that nearly 40% of patients fail to take prescribed medication. Younger patients and females are at higher risk of non-adherence.
Researchers found that transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) did not produce any additional benefit to working memory training, contradicting previous hype. The study suggests that tDCS may be more effective in specific areas of the brain and that its effects on cognitive abilities are still unclear.
University of Leicester astronomers' predictions of Jupiter's planetary phenomena have been confirmed by the Juno mission. The spacecraft has revealed an even more extreme environment than predicted, with intense radiation belts and powerful aurorae.
Researchers at EMBL and ESPCI Paris have developed a new technique to rapidly sort HIV viruses, which could significantly speed up vaccine development. The system enables the analysis and sorting of hundreds of HIV viruses per second, allowing for rapid testing of millions of viral variants.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered that regulatory T cells trigger stem cells to promote healthy hair growth. The study suggests that defects in Tregs could be responsible for alopecia areata and potentially play a role in other forms of baldness.
Researchers develop a new optical manipulation technique that can control the 3D motion of complex-shaped objects, including living cells. The technique uses 3D holographic microscopy to measure object shapes and calculates light shapes for stable trapping.
A new paper-based test strip could enable doctors and patients to monitor heart failure conditions at home, using smartphone apps for analysis. The test strip detects antigens ST2 and BNP, providing insights into the progression of the disease.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a new type of nanocatalyst that can significantly reduce the need for platinum in fuel cells. The nanoalloy allows for mass production, making it suitable for large-scale commercial breakthroughs and potentially replacing fossil fuels.
A new study finds that countries most affected by weather-related disasters do not necessarily spend more on commercial weather and climate information services. Developing countries actually commit a higher percentage of their GDP to these services, recognizing their value in mitigating risks.
The Affordable Care Act has improved access to and affordability of cancer-related care, but critical gaps remain. The ACA has expanded insurance coverage, led to earlier diagnoses, and ensured access to cancer treatments.
Scientists at Goethe University Frankfurt have combined two advanced fluorescence microscopy techniques to observe cells with high-resolution imaging. The new technique, called csiLSFM, allows for three-dimensional insight into a cell's interior with sub-100nm resolution.
Researchers have developed a new approach to create integration-free, Myc- and Lin28-free human induced pluripotent stem cells. This breakthrough method reduces the neoplastic risk associated with IPSC generation, enabling their utility in regenerative medicine and personalized medicine.
A new online database has been created to help clinicians and scientists better diagnose POLG disorders and predict their outcomes. The tool uses a mutation query interface to display cluster mapping of input mutations and show existing patient cases.
A study by Spanish researchers found that children of separated parents are twice as likely to develop gastrointestinal, genitourinary, dermatological, and neurological issues. Improper parental handling, including high conflict and lack of co-parenting, is linked to these physical effects.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a new method to label and visualize the sugar backbone of bacterial cell walls, also known as the 'cell jacket'. This breakthrough allows scientists to better understand how the immune system misidentifies beneficial bacteria, leading to chronic inflammatory diseases. By using th...
Researchers captured the first cryo-electron microscopy snapshots of a key cellular receptor in action, providing near-atomic-resolution images. The study reveals how peptide hormones like GLP-1 bind to and transmit signals through G protein-coupled receptors.
A new study by NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development found that a parent training program using volunteers, Caring in Chaos, improved parenting behavior, competence, stress, and depressive symptoms for families with children with ADHD. The model has potential to increase access to behavioral parent traini...
Suicide rates among people with autism in England have reached high levels, according to researchers from Coventry and Newcastle universities. The issue remains poorly understood, and action is urgently needed to help those most at risk.
A new study found that bronchial thermoplasty (BT) significantly reduces severe exacerbations, hospitalizations, and ER visits in adults with severe, persistent asthma. After two years of treatment, patients experienced long-term improvement in their asthma control and reduced their need for medication.
The University Health Network in Toronto has implemented a three-team MAiD model, which resulted in 74 inquiries, with 25 approvals and 19 patients receiving MAiD. The hospital's approach emphasizes patient assessment, education, and oversight to ensure high-quality care.
Research on US-Mexico border walls highlights potential biodiversity impacts, including isolated local populations and reduced species movement. Human passage, however, appears to be less affected by the barriers.
A study at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that asymptomatic women with early-stage breast cancer often undergo unnecessary advanced imaging and tests, which provide little medical benefit but may have harmful effects and increase financial burden. ASCO guidelines recommend against routine surveillance testing for these patients.
In a unique mechanism of seed dispersal, goats spit out argan tree seeds during rumination, benefiting the trees' survival. This novel method may be essential for some plant species.
Researchers used genome sequencing to track Zika virus spread across Brazil, discovering it was present a year before first confirmed cases. The study's findings have significant public health implications and could improve responses to future outbreaks.
Researchers at Kumamoto University have derived a new theoretical formula to predict the wetting and spreading behavior of droplets on flat surfaces. The formula allows for quantification of the maximum wetted area of droplets after collision, influencing equipment quality and efficiency.
A recent study published in BMC Public Health found that young people who were happier and more aware of the harms of alcohol and cigarettes were more likely to never drink or smoke. Nearly 70% of participants labeled themselves as persistent non-users, scoring highest on harm awareness and happiness tests.
Researchers from Boyce Thompson Institute have sequenced the spinach genome and identified genetic changes due to domestication, revealing potential for improved disease-resistance and higher yield. The study provides valuable information for breeding spinach with better quality and bolting resistance.
Researchers use a redesigned spider venom peptide to deliver biomacromolecules like antibodies into cells, enabling tracking and interaction with target proteins. The technology improves understanding of protein behavior and could lead to new treatments and drug delivery.
A study by Stanford Medicine researchers identifies cost-effective ways to combat HIV risk among intravenous drug users, with opioid agonist therapy and needle-syringe exchange programs showing high value. The study also found that combining these methods could avert up to 40,000 HIV infections over 20 years.
Researchers discovered that blind Mexican cavefish have asymmetrical cranial bones, which may help them navigate in the dark. The fish swim in a counterclockwise pattern using sensory organs to follow the contours of their cave environment.
A new report by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre presents the state-of-the-art in disaster risk management, highlighting the importance of science in preventing disasters and saving lives. The report identifies knowledge gaps and needs for further research to improve responses to natural hazards.
Researchers found that black patients have not benefited equally from declining risk factors for stroke, with a greater decline in hypertension. Despite decreasing contributions of major risk factors across the entire participant sample, the disparity in reducing these risks highlights racial disparities in cardiovascular health.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have discovered a molecule that plays a role in thrombus development but not initial clot formation, offering a new avenue for developing more specific and protective blood thinners. This could reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke without increasing bleeding risk.
A UCLA study found that people with a 22q deletion have thicker gray matter but less brain surface area compared to those with a duplication. In contrast, those with 22q duplications have thinner gray matter and larger brain surface areas, suggesting differences in social functioning regions.
Nagoya University researchers have created whisker-like crystals composed of tantalum, silicon, and tellurium, which produce high thermoelectric powers over a wide temperature range. The crystals' unique one-dimensional electronic structures enable low electrical resistivity and improved cooling performance.
Scientists will fly nine planes over Alaska and northwest Canada to gather data on changing Arctic ecosystems. The ABoVE field campaign aims to understand how environmental changes affect the local environment and beyond.
Dr Rebecca O'Connor's research has led to the development of a chromosome screening service for agricultural food providers, improving mapping of the pig genome and reducing economic costs. The device can screen for genetic flaws that affect fertility in pigs, producing fewer than half the usual litter size.
Researchers developed a new type of cathode that addresses electrochemical stability issues in lithium-oxygen systems. The ultralight all-metal cathode outperforms carbon-based cathodes with higher capacity and improved stability for 286 cycles.