A new study by Michigan State University establishes a baseline of organisms that play key roles in carrion decomposition, promoting the importance of death in ecosystems. The research also highlights the complex interactions between decomposer communities and their impact on nutrient cycling and ecosystem processes.
Researchers found that brain anatomy and psychological traits can predict which patients will respond to sugar pills, resulting in reduced pain and cost savings. The study suggests that clinicians should consider prescribing sugar pills for chronic pain patients, potentially opening up a new field.
Researchers developed 3D personalized computational models of patients' hearts to accurately identify arrhythmia locations. The models correctly predicted treatment targets and reduced ablated tissue areas in some cases. Clinical trials demonstrated the feasibility of integrating simulation predictions into routine procedures.
A study of over 1,000 patients with epilepsy found that seizures are linked to natural rhythms in around 80% of cases, with most occurring in a circadian rhythm. Weekly and longer cycles were also detected, with two-thirds of people having multiple types of cycles associated with their seizures.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet identified four types of neurons in the peripheral auditory system, three of which are new to science. The study shows that these neurons play a crucial role in decoding sonic intensity and may lead to new therapies for hearing disorders.
A study found that only 49.5% of clinical trials in Europe reported results as required by EU regulations, with commercial sponsors being more likely to comply than non-commercial ones. The researchers also discovered inconsistencies in the EU Clinical Trials Register and developed a website to track compliance.
A US children's hospital implemented a first-of-its-kind project to eliminate or reduce pain from elective needle procedures, improving patient satisfaction and staff concerns. The 'Children's Comfort Promise' project introduced four research-proven strategies, which saved time and reduced staff turnover.
Researchers observe a supernova explosion that remained visible six years after the initial event, sparking predictions of a pulsar wind nebula. The phenomenon could shed light on the fundamental physics behind superluminous supernovae and their potential role in producing gravitational waves.
Researchers discovered 137 interactions between HPV proteins and human proteins, revealing common pathways with smoking-related cancers. The study highlights the importance of targeting specific proteins to develop effective treatments for HPV-positive head and neck cancers.
Tropical Storm Barijat is being affected by northerly vertical wind shear, which can weaken the storm. The Hong Kong Observatory has issued a Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 warning, indicating winds with speeds of 25-38 mph.
Scientists discovered that hundreds of bacteria, including pathogenic and probiotic species, generate electricity in the human gut. This discovery could lead to new ways to create living batteries from microbes, such as those found in waste treatment plants.
A viral protein, W protein, targets critical human cell function to suppress immune responses and promote fatal disease. The findings suggest potential strategies for developing therapies to block the interaction between the viral protein and host proteins.
Crowdfunding sites have seen a surge in UK cancer-related appeals, with £8m raised since 2012. Critics argue that these platforms are not adequately vetting appeals, potentially leading to patients being exploited by unproven treatments.
Researchers have discovered a quantum state of matter that can be tuned at will, opening possibilities for next-generation nanotechnologies and quantum computing. The discovery allows for the control of an exotic topological quantum magnet at the quantum level.
The Suomi NPP satellite observed Mangkhut's clear eye, enabling scientists to track the storm's movement. The typhoon is expected to make landfall in the northern Philippines and potentially affect Hong Kong, China.
A new study finds that a simple blood test can detect early changes caused by Huntington's disease, even before brain scans can pick up signs. The test measures two biomarkers, NfL protein in blood and mutant huntingtin protein in brain fluid, to track the disease's progression.
A study by Benjamin Trump and his team analyzed over 800 cryptocurrency forks and found a substantial growth in separate blockchains. The researchers believe that stable governance is essential for cryptocurrencies to be adopted for daily financial transactions.
A new Perspective in the New England Journal of Medicine highlights the slow response of medical institutions to sexual harassment. Key factors contributing to this resistance include myopia, money and power dynamics, and organizational complicity. The authors urge institutions to rethink their approach to creating safe workplaces.
Researchers have isolated a volume control in the brain for pain and identified a small group of neurons in the cortex that can amplify touch sensation. Silencing these neurons may help break a feedback loop that introduces and exaggerates the pain response to normally non-painful touch.
A new study suggests that moderate caffeine consumption may help reduce the risk of death for individuals with chronic kidney disease. Participants who consumed more caffeine had a nearly 25% lower risk of mortality over a median follow-up period of 60 months.
Researchers found that stronger connectivity alters how rainfall affects moisture, heat, and carbon fluxes in ecosystems, as well as the progression from early to late-stage drought. The study provides insights into how connectivity influences ecosystem responses to extreme events.
Researchers at University of Birmingham have discovered a new high-capacity sodium-ion battery that can rival lithium-based rechargeable batteries. The breakthrough, published in Journal of the American Chemical Society, could lead to more sustainable and affordable electric vehicles.
Researchers found ADHD patients had a higher risk of developing Parkinson's and Parkinson-like diseases than non-ADHD individuals, especially those prescribed stimulant medications. The study suggests that the long-term health effects of ADHD and its treatment remain understudied.
A new USC Dornsife study finds that genes can help an organism survive, rather than just being a negative trait associated with aging. This challenges the long-held hypothesis of 'antagonistic pleiotropy', which suggests that genes that enhance reproduction contribute to aging.
A first-of-kind study by The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice assesses clinician and patient attitudes towards recording clinical visits. The study found that 28% of clinicians reported recording a visit, with oncologists and physical rehabilitation specialists more likely to have done so.
A new study reveals that older adults fitted with cochlear implants exhibit poorer cognitive function than normal-hearing counterparts. Rehabilitation should be adjusted to the cognitive profile of cochlear implant patients, and further studies are needed to determine the impact of implants on cognition and decline.
The University of Minnesota is leading a new multi-university project to explore how to make interdisciplinary research more common and effective. The two-year project, funded by the National Academies Keck Futures Initiative, aims to identify best practices for embedding interdisciplinary approaches in institutional reform.
Researchers developed an adjuvanted intradermal flu vaccine that protected ferrets and humans against lethal pandemic flu strains. The vaccine, which can be self-administered via a microneedle, shows promise for rapid production and distribution during pandemics.
Scientists at the University of Plymouth study how seedling defense mechanisms change across large geographical scales. Researchers plan to assess the impact of latitude and altitude on plant resistance by examining snails' preferences for seedlings from various European regions.
Tropical Storm Olivia is causing heavy rainfall in Hawaii, with the National Weather Service predicting total accumulations of 5-10 inches in some areas. The storm's cloud tops reached temperatures as low as -63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong winds and potential for life-threatening flash flooding.
A new study led by Dr. Tishya Wren at Children's Hospital Los Angeles aims to understand bone loss in ambulatory individuals with cerebral palsy. The research will assess the bone health of 148 participants, identifying critical periods for intervention and guiding future interventions to maximize bone strength.
A study published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment highlights the dangers of peace in Colombia, where deforestation rates are surpassing those of Brazil, and climate change poses a threat to isolated mountain ecosystems. Mining activities also pose environmental problems.
Researchers created innovative methods to leverage machine learning in data analysis for the LHC, improving discovery potential for new physics. The techniques build on simulations, enabling data scientists to extract insights from complex phenomena.
A team of researchers from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center made important discoveries about the genetics of mixed phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL), a rare blood cancer with features of both myeloid and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Despite record-high infection rates, many patients only receive treatment for their own infection, while partners are often left without access to antibiotics or a prescription. Experts highlight the need to overcome barriers, including stigma and policy hurdles, to increase the use of expedited partner therapy.
Researchers have confirmed that bismuth possesses unique topological properties, enabling it to conduct electricity without dissipation. This breakthrough establishes bismuth as a higher-order topological insulator, opening up new possibilities for high-performance electronics and quantum computing.
A new plant species, Thismia kobensis, has been identified from a preserved specimen in a Japanese museum. The discovery suggests that this species may be extinct, as it was reported as extinct by Hyogo prefecture in 2010.
Geneticists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered a previously unknown cell growth mechanism that makes many cancers resistant to rapamycin drugs. mTORC3, a novel complex, was found to be responsible for this resistance and offers a new target for anticancer drug development.
A team of researchers found that blood serum triggers spontaneous movement and growth in dormant skin cells, paving the way for new insights into wound healing mechanisms. The study reveals that blood plays a key role in initiating cell migration and proliferation even without a visible wound.
A study at the University of Chicago Medical Center and University of Washington found that twice-a-year MRI scans detected more small early stage breast cancers than annual mammograms. The research suggests that intensive surveillance can be crucial for improving outcomes in young women with high-risk genetic mutations.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute found that cancer cells redirect energy production when lactate dehydrogenase is inhibited, instead relying on glutamine to sustain growth and survival. This discovery identifies a potential new target for melanoma treatment by targeting the ATF4-signaling pathway.
Researchers analyzed ant venom from a tropical species and identified over 2,800 venom peptides, including 37 full-length peptide precursors called myrmicitoxins. The peptides showed sequence similarities with those produced by other insects, suggesting they evolved from ancestral genes.
Researchers at Hokkaido University identified a pathway that facilitates the dispersion of mitochondria towards the cell periphery, increasing cancer invasiveness. Blocking this pathway led to the aggregation of mitochondria and an increase in reactive oxygen species production, resulting in cancer cell death.
A new study from Oregon State University found that requiring physical activity classes helps sedentary college students become more active. The research suggests that such policies can increase motivation and lead to a healthier lifestyle, supporting the benefits of regular physical activity.
A new $3 million grant will test a unique program educating people with uncontrolled hypertension about getting their blood pressure under control. Participants will receive either usual care or view a video and ultrasound images to empower themselves.
MIT neuroscientists have developed tiny probes that can measure dopamine levels in the brain for more than a year. The sensors were implanted in animals and found to produce accurate readings for up to 393 days, opening up new possibilities for understanding dopamine's role in diseases such as Parkinson's.
Researchers found that fruit flies freeze in response to threats at slow walking speeds, but run away when moving quickly. The team identified a single pair of neurons critical for this process, providing insights into the brain's defensive strategies.
A new study by Bocconi scholars links measles resurgence to public health expenditure cuts in Italy. The research found that each 1% reduction in per-capita real public health expenditure corresponds to a 0.5 percentage point decline in MMR vaccination coverage, highlighting the importance of investing in public health.
The brain has a built-in noise-cancelling circuit that allows it to ignore predictable self-generated sounds, such as footsteps. This circuit works by sending a direct signal from the motor cortex to the auditory cortex, instructing inhibitory neurons to cancel out these sounds.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center created a database of daily gene activity rhythms, linking them to drug metabolism. This could lead to improved timing of medication administration by synchronizing with the body's internal clock.
A Brazilian study found that climate change could lead to the extinction of up to 10% of frog and toad species endemic to Brazil's Atlantic Rainforest biome within the next 50 years. The researchers used spatial distribution data and ecological niche models to predict which areas would be favorable for each species.
A new study reveals METTL13's role in controlling protein formation and preventing serious disorders like cancer and Alzheimer's. The researchers' breakthrough could lead to the development of targeted methods and drugs to ensure the enzyme functions correctly.
Hurricane Florence is approximately 400 miles in diameter, with cloud top temperatures of -80F indicating heavy rainfall capability. The storm has the potential to produce extremely dangerous conditions, including life-threatening storm surges and rainfall exceeding 20 inches in coastal North Carolina.
Researchers at Monash University have discovered structural capacitance elements in mutated proteins associated with human diseases, particularly cancers. These elements enable mutations to trigger a gain-of-function, shedding light on protein evolution and the engineering of highly evolvable proteins.
Researchers present a new continuous model describing self-organized criticality, integrating areas such as economics and developmental biology. The model uses tropical geometry to describe the dynamics of critical systems, providing a universal solution for phenomena like earthquakes and sandpiles.
Experts suggest seven innovative approaches to improve Social Security's adequacy in response to demographic trends. The proposals aim to provide greater protections against financial risk for Americans with increasing longevity, low lifetime earnings, and caregiving responsibilities.
Researchers have analyzed nearly 4,000 mutations in the BRCA1 gene, shedding light on its role in breast and ovarian cancer. The findings provide immediate benefits to patients with previously inconclusive genetic test results, enabling clinicians to better interpret variant of uncertain significance.
A US study found that 59% of partnered men and 51% of women with dementia lived at home were sexually active. However, many faced unaddressed sexual function problems and lacked clear medical guidance. The study aimed to provide normative evidence for informing decisions about sex for people with dementia.
The study highlights the critical ecological roles turtles play in maintaining healthy food webs, dispersing seeds, and creating habitats for other species. The decline of turtles could have far-reaching consequences on ecosystems and human populations.
A Caltech study shows that people can accurately judge a politician's honesty based on their face width. Researchers found that politicians with wider faces were perceived as more corruptible, but it's unclear if they're actually more corrupt. The study suggests that facial appearance may play a role in corruption perceptions.