A recent study by Hokkaido University found that the global risk of Madagascar's pneumonic plague epidemic is limited, with an estimated risk of less than 0.1 person per country between August and October. The basic reproduction number was calculated at 1.73, and case fatality risk was 5.5 percent.
Teenage cannabis use at least 2-3 times weekly is directly associated with suffering from symptoms of hypomania in later years. The study found that adolescent cannabis use is an independent risk factor for future hypomania, suggesting a potential causal link.
A LSU Health New Orleans study found that DHA in fish oil 'preconditions' photoreceptor and RPE cells to survive future insults, reducing the risk of retinal degeneration. The researchers also discovered that daily omega-3 supplementation may provide an opportunity for halting debilitating eye diseases.
Researchers trained staff in Tanzania to assess facial cleanliness and found reliable measures of clean faces. These findings suggest adding facial cleanliness assessments to trachoma surveys in developing countries where the infection is a public health problem.
A team of scientists discovered that a major cause of variation between genetically identical C. elegans worms is their mother's age, particularly in younger mothers. The study found that the youngest mothers produce offspring with impaired characteristics such as size, growth rate, and starvation resistance.
A recent study has found that a cancer drug called nivolumab can drastically decrease the reservoirs of HIV-infected cells in the body, a key step towards potentially eradicating the virus. This breakthrough has been observed in a single patient with lung cancer, who showed a sustained reduction in HIV reservoirs after treatment.
Tropical Storm Dahlia formed under strong vertical wind shear, displacing its clouds north of the center. Infrared imagery revealed strongest thunderstorms north of the center, with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit.
Research suggests that people's daily frustration with life can lead to recurring nightmares, where they experience falling, failing, or being attacked in their dreams. The study found that those whose psychological needs were not met reported more negative dream themes and struggled to interpret their dreams positively.
Researchers have obtained a detailed view of a scallop's visual system, which is strikingly similar to a reflecting telescope. The complex arrangement of up to 200 eyes allows the scallop to achieve spatial vision through a layered mirror structure that reflects specific wavelengths of light.
A collaborative study has identified a novel cluster of dysregulated genes in the pancreatic islets of patients with type 2 diabetes. The findings suggest that these altered genes are responsible for beta cell failure in diabetes and may hold new insights into how to prevent and treat the disease.
iScience is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal publishing on a continuous basis starting early 2018. It will promote rigorous research that advances a field and reporting with transparent methods, replication studies, and negative results. The editorial board harnesses experts across many different fields.
Researchers at Stellenbosch University found that HIV affects the brain in early stages of infection, leading to decreased blood flow and brain functional impairment. The study used fMRI scans to compare brain activity of people with and without HIV, revealing a link between frontal lobe atrophy and cognitive symptoms.
Research at Cornell University found that people with disabilities are nearly 44% more likely to be arrested by age 28 compared to those without disabilities. Black men with disabilities face a disproportionately high risk of arrest, highlighting the need for police training and healthcare improvements.
Researchers have validated five new genes responsible for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurological disorder. The study uses AI-powered technology to accelerate the discovery of new treatments by identifying key proteins linked to the disease.
A new study found that breast cancer proteins can have altered functions in tumor cells due to changes in protein interaction networks. This shift affects the number of genes performing each function, not their expression levels. The study predicts patient survival and cancer subtype based on these functional shifts.
Researchers have found a mechanism that prevents the formation of HIV's protein shell, which is essential for infection. The discovery could lead to the development of new anti-HIV drugs by targeting specific molecular processes.
Research shows that longer stays in the neonatal ICU are linked to behavioral problems and impaired emotional regulation in preterm babies. The study highlights the importance of developmental care programs to reduce stressful experiences and promote protective strategies during early development.
Researchers from QUT, KIT, and Ghent University create a light-switchable chemical reaction system to revolutionize chip printing. The system uses visible light to reversibly switch certain chemical processes, potentially making it cheaper, simpler and safer.
Researchers found that equatorial regions on planets like Proxima b and TRAPPIST-1d might trap ozone, hiding signs of life from telescopic observations. This discovery highlights the challenges in detecting life beyond Earth, requiring a more nuanced strategy for searching for life.
A 3D stem cell-derived intestine model has been developed that closely mimics the natural human response to gut infection. The model displayed key small intestine characteristics and exhibited an antibacterial response upon E. coli infection.
Researchers at Caltech have created bacteria that can produce chemical compounds with boron-carbon bonds, a breakthrough in synthetic biology. The findings could lead to more economical and environmentally friendly ways to manufacture pharmaceuticals and other products.
Solid-state batteries have the potential to replace flammable liquid electrolytes with solids, improving safety and energy density. Industry leaders like Toyota, Apple, and Bosch are investing in this technology, but high costs remain a major obstacle to widespread commercialization.
The HADES system creates a simulated environment that alters certain data points, leading hackers to doubt the authenticity of the information. This allows researchers to gather actionable intelligence and detect malware more effectively.
Researchers developed a computational simulation method to predict protein sequence changes for efficient membrane insertion, correlating improved insertion efficiency with increased protein yield. The new approach offers a way forward for membrane protein researchers struggling to express their proteins.
Researchers developed a novel model to study liver transplantation reperfusion and its impact on organ function. The new technique simulates the reperfusion stage of transplantation, allowing for better understanding of organ preservation and potential improvements in liver transplantation outcomes.
A €1.9 million research project will explore the complex roles played by marine planktonic fungi, known as mycoplankton, in the cycling of carbon in the sea. The MYCO-CARB project will use innovative approaches to assess active mycoplankton diversity and abundance across various ecosystems.
Researchers used drones to take aerial photographs of leopard seals, finding they can accurately estimate body size and mass. This non-invasive method could be used to assess body condition in other pinnipeds, tracking responses to environmental changes and managing marine ecosystems.
Research highlights the need to understand long-term health effects of extreme weather, including chronic psychological impacts and vulnerability in local infrastructure. Coordinated programs are essential for recovery and rebuilding, with healthcare facilities needing to ensure they can withstand disruptions.
Researchers at Kansas State University have developed a method to shield piglets from the devastating porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus. The technique relies on eliminating the CD163 protein in pregnant sows, which acts as the virus's receptor.
Researchers at UNH used scientific sleuthing to better understand magma movement in Mount Etna, finding that ancient and present-day magma sources are similar. The study also revealed that crystals formed beneath the volcano were virtually chemically identical to erupted lavas, suggesting short crystal storage times.
A new study reveals the location of 20 whale shark aggregation sites globally, increasing knowledge of abundance and geographic range. The research also identifies sex-ratio bias, site fidelity and hotspot sites, improving conservation efforts for this endangered species.
A research team led by Prof. Robert Qi uncovered a previously overlooked mechanism controlling the organization of microtubule cytoskeletons. They found that PolD1 physically associates with γTuRCs, blocking microtubule nucleation and regulating various cellular activities such as Golgi assembly and cell polarization.
Research analyzed 43 trials involving 8,406 women and found that vitamin D supplementation increased birth weight and reduced small baby risk, but results were inconsistent and limited by study quality. Further large-scale trials are needed to determine the effectiveness of prenatal vitamin D supplementation.
Researchers have successfully grown graphene nanoribbons with a regular armchair edge, exhibiting a precisely defined energy gap. This enabled the integration of these structures into nanotransistors, overcoming previous challenges related to dielectric layers and ribbon alignment.
According to a new study, more than half of US children will have obesity as adults if current trends in child obesity continue. The study found that excess weight in childhood is predictive of adult obesity and that only children at a healthy weight have less than a 50% chance of having obesity as adults.
NIFA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative program supports research, education, and extension projects that promote a safe, nutritious food supply. The funding enables scientists to investigate innovative approaches to detect and control contaminants in food, contributing to the production of high-quality, nourishing food.
Physicists at MIT and Harvard University have developed a new technique to manipulate quantum bits by trapping and arranging individual atoms. This breakthrough enables the simulation of complex systems like materials and optimization problems, such as the traveling salesman problem, exponentially faster than classical computers.
A new chemical imaging method allows for precise measurement of substances in human skin, providing opportunities to develop pharmaceuticals and cosmetics while minimizing animal experiments. The technology enables researchers to design products with controlled skin absorption and determine safe limits for harmful levels of substances.
Researchers investigate electronic charges that form stripe patterns in lanthanum nickelate, discovering unexpected dynamics when using terahertz laser pulses to disrupt microscopic order. The study provides fundamental insights into the interactions between electrons and crystal lattice vibrations.
A California survey found that physicians and pharmacists significantly increased their use of the state's prescription drug monitoring program, CURES, following a law mandate update and registration requirement. The study suggests that education and outreach efforts can drive greater compliance with the law.
Research by Jaehoon Lee suggests that lower class individuals are more likely to assume food will be less delicious due to poor service, while higher class people do not typically make this assumption. This holistic view of life creates a 'carryover effect', leading to negative judgments about other aspects of the consumer experience.
A new study by Vanderbilt University researchers found that dogs have significantly more cortical neurons than cats, indicating a higher level of intelligence. Dogs possess about 530 million neurons, while cats have around 250 million, suggesting that dogs are brainier than cats.
A recent study published in Cancer journal shows that communities with strong smoke-free workplace laws have lower rates of new lung cancer diagnoses. The study found an eight percent reduction in lung cancer incidence in communities with strong smoke-free laws compared to those without such laws.
Researchers studied 3000 human neuromuscular junctions, revealing details of their anatomy and structure. Human NMJs were found to be smaller and frailer than those in mice and rats, with no effect of age on their health.
A study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology found that consumers are more likely to engage in dishonest behavior, such as shoplifting or piracy, if they perceive a company as harming the environment or people. This effect occurs even when consumers have not personally had a bad experience with the company.
A study analyzing heritage data from the Digital Index of North American Archaeology predicts that sea-level rise will destroy vast numbers of archaeological sites and cultural landscapes in the southeastern US. Over 13,000 recorded sites are at risk, including over 1,000 listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
A new approach has been developed to measure methane emissions from livestock, highlighting the need for more accurate estimates. The study reveals that current data may be outdated and do not fully consider factors such as feed intake and manure storage, leading to large uncertainties in methane emission figures.
The study found that urban American-Indian and Alaskan Native individuals had a higher risk of mortality from prostate and breast cancer, with AIANs facing an 87% increased risk for prostate cancer-specific mortality. The community's unique history of social and environmental injustices may be contributing to these disparities.
A new microscope, Firefly, has been developed to study brain activity and neurological disorders. With a 6-millimeter-diameter field of view, the microscope can image neural circuits containing hundreds of cells, allowing for the observation of electrical pulses traveling between neurons.
Infants' brainwaves synchronize with adults when they make direct eye contact, allowing for more effective communication and potentially enhancing learning. This synchronization also enables infants to communicate more effectively, making vocalizations when the adult makes direct eye contact.
The largest genetic study of mosquitoes reveals that insecticide resistance is spreading rapidly across Africa, posing a significant threat to malaria control. The study found that wild mosquitoes are genetically diverse and can evolve resistance quickly, making it challenging to control the disease.
A literature review identifies key determinants affecting mental health disorders in the region, highlighting the need for policy development and collaboration among sectors. Financial issues, social inequalities, and environmental problems are major contributors to the prevalence of mental disorders.
A new study reveals how a specific lichen species, Lobaria scrobiculata, changes its reproductive strategy depending on rainfall levels. In dry places, the lichen reproduces with greater intensity and smaller volumes to ensure population persistence.
Recent North Texas earthquakes occurred on faults inactive for at least 300 million years, supporting the assertion they were induced by human activity. The study discriminates between natural and induced seismicity using classical structural geology analysis techniques.
Research by the University of Exeter Business School found that empowering workers can have a negative impact on their day-to-day performance, especially for routine and structured tasks. However, it can be effective when used for creative tasks, motivating employees to work harder and be more proactive.
A US-funded global effort to curb HIV infection in high-risk populations appears to be working, with a 42% decline in new HIV infections. Male circumcision was shown to have a direct risk-lowering effect, while antiretroviral therapy increased the likelihood of viral suppression.
Research reveals that cancer survivors experience difficulty conceiving and increased embryo loss, while their children's health remains unaffected. The study highlights the need for continued monitoring across multiple generations to understand the long-term effects of chemotherapy.
A recent study reveals substantial differences in climate change views between Republican elites and their party members, with only a quarter of Republicans believing human-caused climate change. The research also finds that Republican support for climate policies varies by state, with Southern Florida showing strong backing for regula...
Researchers have developed a novel omics tool to explore the interaction between genetics, environment, and disease. By integrating large datasets from the BXD mouse population, scientists can identify gene-phenotype associations and make personalized treatment predictions.
Professor Sam H. Noh recognized by ACM for significant accomplishments in system software and data storage technology. He is the only Korean among the 2017 cohort of distinguished members, who have made substantial impact on the computing industry.