Scientists evaluated metagenomics software using international competition benchmarks to assemble, classify, and analyze complex pools of bacterial DNA. The results showed that different algorithms perform better in various contexts, highlighting the need for researchers to choose software based on specific questions.
Plastic surgeons at Maastricht University Medical Center used the Microsure robotic device to perform a super-microsurgical intervention on a patient's lymphedema, the world's first of its kind.
Scientists at Tokyo Tech have reported superconductivity in two types of higher titanium oxides grown as ultrathin films. The materials exhibit a high transition temperature of up to 7.1 K, making them promising for fundamental physics and potential applications in faster computers.
Researchers discovered that activity in dendrites increases during sleep, linked to specific brain waves associated with memory formation. This study could lead to new treatments for learning and memory disorders, such as dementia.
A genetic test developed by UPMC scientists proved highly sensitive in detecting pancreatic cysts associated with aggressive pancreatic cancer. The test, PancreaSeq°, correctly classified patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) and identified cysts that would progress to cancer with 100% accuracy.
Rice University scientists have created a new anode material made from asphalt that shows exceptional stability and can bring lithium metal batteries from zero to full charge in just five minutes. The finding has significant implications for high-power density devices, including rapid charging capabilities.
A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition found that adolescents consuming the least amount of vitamin K1 were at a higher risk for unhealthy enlargement of their heart's major pumping chamber. This association was independent of other factors such as physical activity and blood pressure.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that a significant proportion of South Africans with diabetes do not receive adequate care, with nearly twice the proportion of cases being undiagnosed. The research highlights gaps in screening, diagnosis, treatment, and control of the disease, particularly among adults aged 40-plus.
A new study from the University of British Columbia has linked lower education and income to higher suicide risks among gay and bisexual men. The research found that these individuals have more than five times the odds of attempting suicide compared to their more advantaged peers.
The approved gene therapy Kymriah offers hope for children and young adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. However, its high cost and limited accessibility pose significant challenges for policy-makers and patients alike.
A recent study published in PNAS found that language grammatical structures change more quickly than vocabulary, influenced by contact with unrelated languages. Researchers analyzed 81 Austronesian languages and discovered striking differences in the rates of change between grammar and lexicon.
A new gesture control technology, Matchpoint, allows users to interact with screens by moving everyday objects, such as cups or toys, in front of a webcam. This enables spontaneous spatial coupling, which activates desired functions without requiring calibration or prior knowledge of objects.
Up to two thirds of people with Alzheimer's disease experience psychotic episodes, linked to faster cognitive decline and accelerated death rates. New approaches to clinical trials aim to develop effective non-drug interventions to alleviate symptoms without adverse outcomes.
New research suggests that reducing deforestation and increasing soil carbon sequestration in agriculture can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining or improving food security. This approach has the potential to bring benefits for climate change mitigation while minimizing trade-offs with food security.
The Critically Endangered Cycas wadei population is threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and fires. Empirical methods were used to determine the structure and density of the population, highlighting deficiencies in potassium in the soils as a major resource constraint.
Researchers at Monash University have discovered the presence of regulatory T cells in the retina, a potential target for treating retinopathy of prematurity. The study's findings suggest that boosting these cells may repair damaged blood vessels in the retina, reducing ROP risk.
A team of scientists believes they've identified Paranthropus boisei as the species that likely contracted HSV2 and transmitted it to human ancestors, including Homo erectus. The study suggests the virus jumped from ancestral chimpanzees via an intermediate hominin species.