A recent review by John McGann suggests that humans' ability to detect certain scents is superior to other animals, such as dogs. The study highlights the importance of smell in human communication and mate choice, challenging the long-held notion that humans have an inferior sense of smell.
The melting of glacial ice contributes to sea-level rise, displacing millions of people, while glaciers also serve as a source of fresh water. However, researchers like Twila Moon warn that glaciers are shrinking at an alarming rate, with devastating consequences for the planet's weather and climate systems.
A Pew Research Center survey shows Americans are split on the effectiveness of recent science marches and protests. Democrats and younger adults overwhelmingly believe these events will increase public support for science, whereas Republicans and seniors tend to think they'll make no difference.
A study by INSEAD found that labeling energy drinks as part of an alcohol cocktail increases perceived intoxication, leading to greater risk-taking, sexual confidence, and decreased intentions to drive. The effects were stronger for those who believed energy drinks boost the effect of liquor.
A study found that Americans with systemic sclerosis had a greater imbalance of good and bad gut bacteria compared to Norwegians. The researchers believe this difference is due to genetics and diet, which could lead to new treatments by restoring balance through diet modification, probiotics, and fecal transplantation.
A recent study found a substantial correlation between increased prescriptions for pregabalin and gabapentin and rising overdose deaths. These drugs have become abuse-prone when used with heroin or other opioids, especially due to their association with feelings of loss of control and enhanced heroin effects.
A study published in Journal of Cleaner Production found that cricket farming can be a more environmentally sustainable way to produce animal source foods. The research compared cricket production to broiler chicken production and identified areas for further improvement, such as exploring alternative feed sources.
University of Arizona College of Engineering senior Christina Morrison develops antimicrobial socks using silver and hydrogen peroxide, achieving a nearly 5-log reduction in bacteria on treated material. The innovative design aims to reduce the need for water-based laundry in space, saving mass and allowing longer missions.
A recent study published in JAMA Neurology found that US military service members who experienced a mild concussion after blast injury may continue to experience mental health symptoms and decreased quality of life for at least five years. The study also highlights the need for more effective, long-term treatment strategies.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a neural stimulation system that improves walking ability for stroke and MS patients. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) significantly helped patients walk more effectively, with one patient covering nearly a mile and another gaining balance and confidence.
A study by Queen Mary University of London found that axonal loss in multiple sclerosis (MS) is not the sole cause of chronic disability. The researchers discovered a substantial loss of synaptic connections in the MS spinal cord, which may drive disability. This new understanding could help identify targets for new treatments.
The genome of Botryococcus braunii has been sequenced, revealing 18,500 genes and potential biosynthetic pathways for hydrocarbon production. The findings could enable the use of algae as a renewable fuel source without modifying existing infrastructure.
Researchers have identified a seventh rhodopsin, Rh7, expressed in the brain of fruit flies where it regulates circadian rhythms and daily activity patterns. The discovery sheds light on the role of light-sensitive opsins in setting circadian rhythms and has potential implications for understanding degenerative retinal disorders.
A new guideline developed by the American Academy of Neurology recommends that families ask if their loved one qualifies for body cooling to reduce brain injury. The guideline found strong evidence that therapeutic hypothermia is effective in improving brain function.
A deep-learning network developed through research at Case Western Reserve University was 100% accurate in determining the presence of invasive breast cancer in whole biopsy slides. The network correctly identified cancerous pixels with 97% accuracy, rendering near-exact delineations of tumors.
Researchers at City College of New York and TechnoVax have successfully developed a vaccine against the Zika virus using a novel virus-like particle (VLP) technology. The VLP formulations were found to be highly effective in eliciting protective antibodies while being well-tolerated and safe.
Researchers warn that African lions and Sunda clouded leopards are at risk of extinction due to a decline in prey species. If primary big cat prey continues to decline, it poses a serious risk to these species, highlighting the need for urgent government protection.
The first tropical storm in the Eastern Pacific Ocean has formed, marking an unusual start to hurricane season. Located west of Costa Rica, Tropical Storm Adrian is moving northwest and strengthening due to warm waters.
Scientists have created a comprehensive, high-quality reference set of human induced pluripotent stem cell lines from 301 healthy volunteers. The resource is available for independent research and will help researchers study common genetic variation to put disease variations in context with healthy people.
The University of Plymouth and a collaboration of Cornish and national partners have been awarded £2.7m European funding to improve the use of e-health in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
NIST physicists have solved the puzzle of controlling molecular ions using quantum logic, a technique that also drives an experimental atomic clock. The new method achieves effective control of molecules as laser cooling and other techniques can control atoms.
Researchers from Brigham Young University discovered a significant link between high physical activity and longer telomeres, which can slow down cellular aging. Adults with highly active lifestyles have telomeres that are nine years younger than those who are sedentary or moderately active.
Researchers have developed new methods to estimate wild animal population sizes from camera trap data, enhancing effective wildlife management and conservation. This approach facilitates improved information about animal abundance and its variation in space and time.
Researchers identified brain cells in fruit flies responsible for regulating protein levels, promoting a single-minded focus on eating protein when starved. The study's findings may have implications for addressing the obesity epidemic by understanding how protein intake affects caloric intake.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a revolutionary process for 3D printing stretchable electronic sensory devices that can give robots the ability to feel their environment. The discovery also has potential applications for printing electronics on real human skin, enabling new forms of wearable technology.
Researchers found no evidence of increased risk of heart attack, depression, or self-harm in patients with COPD using varenicline. The medication is considered highly effective in helping smokers quit, addressing long-standing concerns among doctors.
A study finds that gluten-free items have a significantly higher energy content and different nutritional composition compared to their gluten-containing counterparts. This could impact children's growth and increase the risk of childhood obesity.
Researchers developed a bimodal AFM approach to probe materials in three dimensions simultaneously, providing new insights into surface morphology and chemical reactions. The technique enables the measurement of forces in X, Y, and Z directions on the subatomic scale.
A study by Queen Mary University of London researchers found significant neuronal loss in MS brains, with a 39% difference in neuron count compared to healthy controls. Cortical volume and density were also affected, highlighting the importance of early treatment.
A new method for analyzing data from atomic nucleus collisions has been developed, revealing wavy energy potential patterns that were previously considered anomalous. The study uses these patterns to gain insight into the physical characteristics of colliding nuclei.
Early human ancestors may have been able to exploit the forest canopy for resources by using a 'light touch strategy', improving their balance in simulated arboreal environment by up to 30%.
Astrophysicists discovered that the TRAPPIST-1 system remains stable due to a 'resonant chain' configuration, where planets' orbital periods form simple ratios. This harmonic stability explains why the system has survived for millions of years.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have engineered a cancer stem cell vaccine that expresses pro-inflammatory protein IL-15 and its receptor to stimulate T cell production. This results in enhanced immune responses against tumors with reduced side effects, offering potential new immunotherapy treatments.
Researchers at Duke University and CalTech have developed a hybrid imaging technology that combines light and ultrasound to provide live, holistic views of small animal organs. This technique breaks the resolution and speed barriers in whole-body imaging, enabling functional imaging of entire bodies with sub-millimeter-level resolution.
A study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology reveals that tai chi is an effective treatment for insomnia in breast cancer survivors, improving sleep health, depressive symptoms, and fatigue. The slow-moving meditation practice works just as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and better than medication.
A team of researchers has discovered an inflammatory signaling platform that cells use to defend against Salmonella infections, which may lead to the development of new antibiotic treatments. The study found that protein chains relay pro-inflammatory signals to trigger degradation of bacteria and restrict their proliferation.
A new study by University of Arizona researchers found that virtual reality support groups can be an effective tool for older adults dealing with grief and depression. Participants showed improvements in stress, loneliness, and sleep quality, but only those in the virtual reality group reported a reduction in symptoms of depression.
A new study from the UCLA School of Nursing found that the insular cortex, a region involved in stress and cardiovascular control, reacts differently between men and women when presented with certain stimuli. This difference may affect how cardiovascular diseases manifest and are diagnosed in each sex.
The study analyzed umbilical cord tissue from 669 babies and found a link between higher DNA methylation in the CDKN2A gene and lower bone mass at four and six years. This suggests that epigenetic modifications early in life may play a role in determining skeletal growth.
Tropical Cyclone Donna was being weakened by strong wind shear southeast of New Caledonia. Cloud top temperatures reached -70 degrees Fahrenheit due to strongest thunderstorms being pushed away from the center.
Researchers found altered short-term neurological behaviors in Ecuadorian children exposed to flower pesticides during peak Mother's Day production. Children examined shortly after the harvest displayed lower performance on measures such as attention and self-control compared to those examined later. The study suggests that pesticide e...
A study published in The Journal of Pediatrics suggests that genetic mutations and family history are common risk factors for children diagnosed with acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis before age 6. Researchers analyzed 342 children and found that 71% had at least one pancreatitis-associated gene mutation.
The number of fatalities in organized violence decreased to 102,000 in 2016, a decline of over 20% from the peak year of 2014. However, conflicts with external involvement remain a major concern for researchers, who note that these conflicts are more likely to escalate into larger wars.
A new study by University of Washington researchers found that kids are unaware of their toys' recording capabilities, while parents have numerous privacy concerns. The study highlights the need for toy designers to create ways to notify children when they are recording and provide parental controls to manage data.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab expand the temperature range of ferroelectric materials by creating a polarization gradient in a thin film. This enables devices to operate reliably in extreme environments, reducing power consumption and component count.
A recent study found that East German women are at a higher risk of death from smoking due to insufficient anti-smoking policies. The researchers forecast a significant increase in mortality rates for these women, mainly due to lung cancer and other smoking-related diseases.
A recent study utilizing genomic big data analyzed the silver birch genome, uncovering population bottlenecks and speciation events that shaped the species' current form. The research also identified genes under natural selection, which have contributed to birch's cold tolerance and rapid growth.
Researchers have developed a method to create stretchable holograms that can display multiple images, which can be switched depending on the stretching of the material. The technique uses metasurfaces and gold nanorods to generate holographic images with changing shapes.
Researchers successfully synthesized a carbon nanobelt, measuring 0.83 nm in diameter, using a novel synthetic strategy based on a macrocycle precursor. The breakthrough opens a new field of nanocarbon science and has potential applications in electronics and photonics.
Scientists used molecular dynamics to visualize the working of Photosystem II and discovered three channels for plastoquinone entry and exit, contradicting previous assumptions. The study provides new insights into the complex process of converting photons into electrons.
Researchers have discovered that certain bacteria use quorum sensing to regulate their virulence levels, allowing them to coexist with insects without causing harm. By studying the genetic differences between mutualistic and pathogenic strains of bacteria, scientists have gained insights into the mechanisms behind these relationships.
A single-center study of over 15,000 patients found that mandatory headwear changes did not lower infection rates, contradicting previous hospital policy. Researchers concluded that the traditional surgeon's cap does not pose a significant risk for surgical site infections.
Advances in radiation therapy have improved precision by understanding physics and biology. Researchers use supercomputers to simulate radiation dose calculations and develop new technologies like MR-linacs.
Researchers discovered that blocking this Wnt pathway prevents tumor growth and prolongs mouse lifespan. Human lung adenocarcinoma samples also showed high levels of Wnt activation.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Koblenz-Landau and the University of Wurzburg found that people who watched live interactions with a robot were more likely to consider the robot to have more human-like qualities. Observing a live interaction or encountering the robot in virtual reality led to more perceived realness,...
A recent gene sequencing study has identified unusual genetic mutations in women with benign endometriosis, a painful disorder marked by uterine tissue growth outside the womb. The findings may eventually help scientists develop molecular tests to distinguish between aggressive and clinically indolent types of endometriosis.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio have discovered epigenetic changes that contribute to one-fifth of acute myeloid leukemia cases and a large majority of low-grade gliomas. These changes may be targeted by an existing drug, improving survival rates for patients.
A study by the University of California, Berkeley, and the Max Planck Institute in Germany found that children who transitioned earlier to a formal school environment learn to be more focused and less impulsive than their preschool peers. This is attributed to the structured learning environment of school, which boosts certain cognitiv...
A new study reveals that movie preferences are highly idiosyncratic and not linked to demographic traits, contradicting industry targeting strategies. The researchers found low levels of correlation in movie ratings among participants but identified patterns, including increased correlation with jointly seen films. Demographically, mal...
A new Cornell University study has resolved the debate on brain evolution by determining that overall brain size accounts for most differences among vertebrate species. The research found that once a species evolves a larger brain, specialized neural networks develop in brain regions controlling specific behaviors.