A study published in European Heart Journal reveals that air pollution is a significant contributor to cardiovascular diseases, with particulate matter playing a key role. The review article highlights the importance of reducing emissions from traffic, industry, and agriculture to mitigate the negative effects on vascular function.
The CRISPR Journal publishes groundbreaking research on gene editing, including off-target effects in HIV therapy and the role of p53 in genome editing. The journal explores the ethics of CRISPR technology and its potential applications.
Four low-cost indoor air quality monitors reliably detect high levels of particulate matter in the air, enabling use of ventilation systems or air cleaners to reduce pollutant exposure. However, all monitors faltered for ultrafine particles smaller than 0.3 micrometers, which pose significant health risks.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new method to monitor water levels in underground aquifers using seismic noise. They were able to measure the water depth of an aquifer in California to within a centimeter, and estimated that half a cubic kilometer of water was pumped out during a drought. This technique has the poten...
A multi-national collaborative study found that the record number of tropical cyclones in 2005 is close to the maximum number that might occur in the North Atlantic given existing climate conditions. The study used climate models to estimate this maximum number, which was found to be relatively low.
A 2014 US Drug Enforcement Administration policy change was associated with an increase in filled opioid prescriptions after elective surgery. Most of the increase was attributed to hydrocodone, the most commonly prescribed opioid following surgery.
Researchers from Columbia University and USGS develop a physics-based model that replicates California's statistical seismic hazard model. This breakthrough marks a turning point in earthquake forecasting, providing accurate hazard estimates for engineers and regulators to make informed decisions on building codes and construction costs.
A team of researchers from the University of Oregon has made a groundbreaking discovery about the neural circuitry that controls movement in fruit flies. By mapping the communications between a pair of brain neurons and motor neurons, they found that a single neuron can trigger both forward and backward motion.
A new study found that medical device firm managers rely on their physician-customers to screen out detectable defects rather than issuing recalls. This perception is driven by a desire to ensure patient safety, leading managers to hesitate until the root cause of the defect is clearly understood.
D-Wave Systems Inc. has successfully demonstrated a topological phase transition using its 2048-qubit annealing quantum computer, simulating a phenomenon behind the 2016 Nobel Prize. This breakthrough could lead to faster materials prototyping at lower costs.
A study by LSU Health finds that Louisiana Medicaid patients have limited access to outpatient orthopaedic care, with only about 10% of the orthopaedic workforce in the state available. The limited access can cause delays in care and lead to poorer outcomes.
A study of 2.5 million Swedes found that high job demands and low control were associated with increased Parkinson's disease risk. High education level was a moderating factor for men, while low education level exacerbated the risk among women.
Researchers have discovered that a distinct glycan feature, blood group I-antigen or 'I-branches', plays a central role in regulating both human B cell signaling/activation and melanoma aggressiveness. This finding has significant implications for immunomodulation and anti-cancer treatments.
The Central Africa region is experiencing rapid urbanization and economic growth, making it more vulnerable to explosive infectious disease outbreaks. The authors note that efforts to build up health care infrastructure are critically needed to mitigate or prevent a large outbreak of Ebola or other infectious diseases in the region.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a low-cost actuation technology that can bend, fold or flatten specially prepared paper on command. The technology uses a thin layer of conducting thermoplastic applied to common paper, which can be heated to expand and cause the paper to change shape.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that European 'new smoker' rates among younger teens have increased in recent years, while older teens' rates declined from the 1970s to the 2000s. The study suggests that tobacco control measures are necessary to address this trend.
A Northwestern University study found that noninvasive brain stimulation improved the brain's ability to form new memories, with increased excitability lasting at least 24 hours. The research has implications for treating memory problems due to aging or brain damage.
Researchers found fossil Myrmeleontiformia fauna from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, shedding light on the ecological niche and lifestyle of extinct species. Statistical analysis showed a correlation between morphological traits and hunting strategies, including camouflaging and fossoriality.
A new study found that physical therapy services in the emergency department after a fall can significantly lower repeat visits to the ED for falls. The researchers linked PT services to a reduced risk of future falls, suggesting that EDs could play a crucial role in reducing fall-related ED revisits.
A new study found that air pollution shortens human lives by over a year globally, with better air quality potentially extending lifespans. The researchers analyzed data from 185 countries and quantified the national impact of PM2.5 air pollution on life expectancy.
A new study found significant correlations between blood levels of EPA plus DHA omega-3s and cognitive depression in heart failure subjects. The study also showed improvements in social functioning and a positive correlation between the Omega-3 Index and reduced cognitive depression scores.
Researchers analyzed 265 Samarra glass artefacts to reconstruct the city's glass supply and exchange networks during the Abbasid Caliphate. The findings suggest a mix of local production and imports from the Levant and Egypt, highlighting Samarra's importance in early Islamic art and architecture.
The PCORI Board approved funding for 16 new studies comparing different approaches to improve care and outcomes for conditions like opioid use, cancer, depression, and stroke. The studies aim to provide evidence for better-informed healthcare decisions.
Researchers found quartz in a primitive meteorite, providing evidence of silica condensation within the solar protoplanetary disk. The discovery helps understand solar formation and evolution.
A plant virus manipulates aphid species to its advantage by increasing the nutrients in host plants, making it easier for aphids to feed. This allows late-arriving aphids to outcompete early arriving ones, leading to boosted reproductive success and increased spread of the virus.
A newly-discovered fossil turtle, Eorhynchochelys sinensis, lived 228 million years ago with a beak but no shell. This find sheds light on the evolution of turtles and challenges traditional theories, supporting mosaic evolution and shedding new light on turtle ancestry.
A new paper uses social and ecological theory to analyze human-black bear conflicts in Colorado, highlighting the importance of understanding both animal and human behavior. By incorporating efforts to study humans alongside animals, researchers can better address conservation challenges.
Researchers at Stanford University found that head positioning is a more important factor in determining concussion risk than neck tension. Small variations in position can affect the subsequent rotation of the head and increase or decrease concussion risk.
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine describe how RNA polymerase I stalls by DNA lesions caused by UV exposure. The study identifies a key amino acid essential to detecting UV damage, offering potential for novel cancer therapeutic targets.
Scientists discovered transitional root fossils from the earliest land ecosystem, shedding light on plant root evolution. The findings suggest that modern-day plant roots have evolved multiple times, with each characteristic emerging separately.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum gained new insight into the processes involving oxygen-depolarised cathodes, which consume less current than conventional systems. They found that reaction conditions change constantly during chlorine production and are not uniform throughout the electrode surface.
Scientists found that the brain re-evaluates speech sound interpretations at the moment subsequent sounds are heard, using surrounding context to narrow possibilities. The brain makes commitments to its best guess after about half a second, demonstrating how context can alter perception even if disambiguating information arrives later.
Researchers at NIST and WTEC advocate for a collaborative approach to nanoparticle manufacturing, highlighting the importance of sharing knowledge and resources across disciplines. The study identifies common challenges in material, process, and application, suggesting that solving these problems could advance the entire enterprise.
Scientists have identified a brain receptor protein that controls the body's 'fat rheostat', regulating energy balance and weight gain. The discovery opens new doors for developing anti-obesity drugs, particularly targeting the melanocortin 3 receptor (MC3R) to treat obesity.
Researchers at Swansea University's CERN project have improved the synthesis of antihydrogen and accumulated the anti-atoms for greater experimentation scope. This achievement allows for greater control and manipulation of ultra-cold anti-atom properties.
A Montana State University-led team discovered that low humidity, high winds, and extreme temperatures contribute to Chile's massive fires. The researchers found that Chile replaced native forests with more flammable tree plantations, which facilitated the spread of fires.
Attention is not a steady focus, but rather a pulsing rhythm that cycles between periods of maximum concentration and broader situational awareness. This rhythmic structure of perception allows the brain to sample the environment and allocate resources efficiently.
A recent study published in Nature found that even small groups of genetically identical ants exhibit greater stability and division of labor when compared to solitary individuals. This research challenges the long-held assumption that competition is more attractive than collaboration when resources are scarce.
Researchers found a lower retention rate among Hispanics (85.2%) compared to blacks (90.5%) and whites (98.5%) in TBI outcomes research. Environmental and socio-economic factors with race/ethnicity interactions are crucial to consider for effective retention strategies.
Human settlements with low flood protection levels tend to resettle further away from rivers after floods. Satellite data analysis in 16 countries showed that the distance between humans and rivers increased, especially in areas with high flood fatalities.
Arizona State University will receive biological samples from 81 field sites across the US for 30 years, providing long-term ecological data. The NEON Biorepository Data Portal will make detailed information available online.
Research shows that armed groups in Colombia influenced local officials to implement policy preferences, weakening government institutions. The analysis found a strong connection between violence by armed groups and differences in property rights and taxes.
Researchers found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improved symptoms of neurodegenerative ataxias in patients. The treatment showed significant improvements in walking speed, hand and arm coordination, and overall test scores.
A single bone fragment from Denisova Cave has revealed the genetic makeup of a child born to a Neandertal mother and a Denisovan father. The study's findings suggest that Neandertals and Denisovans interbred frequently, with the child showing ancestry from both groups.
A recent study of 100,000 Korean men found that low education level, household income, and social capital are associated with a higher risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The findings suggest that health programs based on community needs may help prevent BPH and improve quality of life for affected individuals.
A study found that friendship groups who sat together achieved similar grades, while students sitting alone at the edges tended to do worse. The research suggests that lecturers can use this information to provide targeted support for anxious students and encourage interactions between different groups.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles investigate the impact of obesity on metabolism and body temperature control, finding that post-prandial uridine levels increase in obese individuals. The study suggests including both lean and overweight subjects in metabolic research to prevent misleading outcomes.
Researchers have successfully observed a Lyman-alpha transition in antihydrogen, a key milestone towards cooling and manipulating antimatter. The achievement uses laser pulses to manipulate the antihydrogen atoms and could lead to precision spectroscopy and gravity measurements.
A recent study shows that common soil carbon measurement methods, including clod, core, and excavation, yield significantly different results. The core method was found to greatly underestimate soil organic carbon stocks, particularly in deeper soil layers.
A new RAND Corporation report suggests that smartphone apps could improve medical record matching by allowing patients to participate in the process. The study found that mobile phones and smartphones offer a promising approach to ensure accurate record matching, but development and testing are needed.
A research team led by Nicholas V. DiPatrizio and Meera G. Nair found that parasitic worms produce cannabis-like molecules during infection, reducing pain and inflammation in the host. This discovery could lead to therapeutic treatments for worm infections and improve outcomes.
Researchers developed a new material that is 18 times more efficient in computing processing and memory compared to current materials. The discovery uses a quantum material with unique spin-electronic properties.
A new global research network on climate change denial has been established by Chalmers University of Technology. The network will examine the links between conservatism, xenophobia and climate change denial, with a focus on right-wing nationalism in Europe.
A new analysis found that daily e-cigarette use nearly doubles the odds of a heart attack, with dual use of e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes increasing the risk five-fold. Quitting either product can reduce this risk.
Researchers found that parrots make deliberate, profit-maximizing decisions, prioritizing higher-value food over immediate rewards. However, individual motivation plays a role, with some birds valuing the token itself over economic gain.
The James Webb Space Telescope relies on innovative components like the 'Spider', a thermally isolating device with Kevlar fibers, to accurately detect light from distant galaxies and celestial objects. This cutting-edge technology enables the telescope to observe objects in the Kuiper Belt and study the universe's origins.
A new mobile heart monitor paired with an automated algorithm and physician review can accurately detect atrial fibrillation, showing 96.6% sensitivity and 94.1% specificity compared to traditional ECGs. However, the device failed to classify some results as normal or possible AF, highlighting its limitations.
New research from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business identifies three key reasons for the glass ceiling's persistence: women often choose lower-paying fields, psychological differences affect risk-taking, and caregiving responsibilities limit career advancement.
A multidisciplinary group of leaders has established a consensus-driven research agenda to create a path forward for health care organizations. The 'do now' recommendations include broadening organizational approach to harm, involving patients and families in solutions, and establishing patient liaison initiatives.
Investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital used massively-parallel, single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze nasal polyp samples and identify dramatically altered cells. The team found that epithelial progenitor cells had been permanently altered and expressed an aberrant program, pointing to many pathways that have been altered in t...