Scientists developed a wireless tagging device that detects spoiled food using NFC labeling tags and smartphone signals. The sensor can detect biogenic amines, giving decomposing meat its bad odor, and transmits this information to nearby smartphones.
Researchers have pinpointed the geographic sectors that control the strength and edges of the Hadley circulation, a prominent atmospheric overturning circulation. The study found that mid-latitude eddies play a dominant role in the variability of Hadley circulation strength in certain regions.
Researchers have identified specific lipid species in the blood and liver that correlate with healthy or fatty liver states. These findings suggest that measuring individual lipid species may provide a more accurate diagnosis of metabolic diseases such as NAFLD, diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.
Scientists at Kanazawa University have identified six new compounds in the glossy red-fruited laurel shrub, featuring a unique nine-membered carbon cycle and lactone groups. The discovery opens up new avenues for research into the plant's potential biological activity.
Researchers at Ohio State University found a significant gap between what people report they're willing to spend and what they actually spend in experiments. Hypothetical bias can lead to inaccurate decision-making in fields like economics, environmental conservation, and business. Techniques like cheap talk, certainty follow-up, and c...
A study from the University of Vermont found that mandatory labeling in Vermont improved consumer attitudes toward genetically modified food, with opposition falling by 19%. The simple disclosure reduced fear and increased transparency, allowing consumers to make informed decisions.
Researchers at UT Austin designed a new nerve gas detector combining chemical sensors and photography, identifying different nerve agents through color and brightness variations. The device is portable, inexpensive, and adjustable, providing critical information for first responders and scientists in the field.
A newly discovered wasp species, Dolichogenidea xenomorph, has a parasitic lifecycle similar to the Alien movie franchise monster. The wasp injects eggs into live caterpillars and eats them from the inside out.
Researchers have developed genetically humanized mice that can be persistently infected with Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV), a common cause of liver fibrosis and cancer. The mice were able to rid themselves of the virus before showing any liver damage, making them an ideal model for testing new treatments.
Engineers used microscopic friction measurements to confirm that rocks can dissolve under certain conditions, causing faults to slip. The study found that brine-calcite interactions can induce dissolution and decrease frictional strength at the single-asperity scale.
Research from the University of Minnesota found that small classes close the gap between men and women' academic performance. Smaller classes do not impact underrepresented minorities' performance regardless of class size. The study suggests other education environment factors affect learning beyond class size.
The NIH has awarded a $2 million grant to Ken Oestreich at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute to study immunological memory. The research aims to understand how immune cells form and transition into memory cells, which can recognize and respond to pathogens more efficiently.
The study found that solar irradiance strengthens the Siberian high and low-level East Asian winter circulation, resulting in lower surface air temperatures in East Asia. This mechanism helps explain the variability of the East Asian winter monsoon at decadal and longer time scales.
The NHS's founding principle of providing care based on need received 23% of the votes, ahead of limiting commercial influence and general practice. The results reflect the public's high value on a non-profit healthcare system.
A large Canadian study published in CMAJ found that trauma to both mother and baby during vaginal deliveries, especially forceps deliveries, has increased. The rate of severe perineal tearing accounted for 87% of the cases of obstetric trauma among operative vaginal deliveries.
A new study by UCL researchers found that artificially lengthening the time it takes to hear an impact can make people update their perceived body height, leading them to feel taller. The findings could have implications for rehabilitation and treatment of conditions like Parkinson's Disease.
A study has revealed that heterochromatin Protein 1a (HP1a) is crucial for the repression of transposons in germline cells, protecting the genome from instability and infertility. The piRNA pathway plays a vital role in silencing transposons, and HP1a's function in this process was previously unknown.
Jessica Irving and her team developed a new model, EPOC, that fits the data better than existing models, providing information about the material properties of the outer core. The outer core is crucial for understanding the history of the magnetic field and providing heat to the mantle.
An international team of researchers has identified the electrical activity specific to the start of migraines and demonstrated a way to stop it in animal experiments. They found that spreading depolarization, seen in migraines, can be stopped with an opposite direction of electrical current used to turn off seizures.
A high level of fitness in midlife is associated with a lower risk of depression after age 65 and a lower risk of cardiovascular death, including after a diagnosis of depression. Longitudinal studies can inform health care professionals about the importance of considering fitness as part of overall preventive care.
A new approach called prehabilitation, combining exercise training, education, and social support, may reduce postoperative complications and hospital length of stay in vulnerable older adults. Two Canadian randomized controlled trials are underway to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention.
Researchers discovered a brain circuit necessary for unlearning fear in rats. Dopamine activity is crucial for fear extinction, but its specific role varies depending on the brain region involved.
A new type of personalized machine learning helps robots accurately assess children's engagement and interest during autism therapy, with a correlation score of 60% compared to human experts. This technology aims to augment human therapists with key information to personalize therapy content and create more engaging interactions.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that measuring beak size can accurately determine the sex of Galapagos penguins, a simple and fast method for field studies. This knowledge will help scientists study the impact of climate change on this endangered species.
Researchers found that specialized buildings regularly featured in the world's earliest agricultural villages, providing a focal point for everyday activities and facilitating social interaction among community members. The study suggests that these architectural features helped shape human interaction during a period of significant so...
A study reveals that refrigeration suppresses protein activity crucial for banana aromas, leading to potential flavor and fragrance enhancements. Scientists found that chilling bananas slows ripening and alters their off-flavor, suggesting a regulatory process involving MabZIP4 and MabZIP5 TFs.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University and other universities have discovered two new species of extinct hoofed mammals known as litopterns from a site in Bolivia. The animals, dating back to the late Miocene epoch, provide insights into South America's rich diversity of living mammals.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that patients with a recorded penicillin allergy are at an increased risk of developing MRSA and C difficile infections. The risk is largely due to the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics as alternatives to penicillin, which may be fueling the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
A new study found that consuming walnuts may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by half compared to non-consumers. The research, based on data from over 34,000 American adults, also suggests a link between walnut consumption and lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Researchers at the University of Konstanz are analyzing denial-of-service attacks to understand their influence on politics and international attention. The study aims to map global patterns of cyberattacks, evaluate their relationship with traditional forms of contention, and identify consequences for protest dynamics.
Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus found little association between suicide and hypoxia, contradicting longstanding theories. Social isolation and access to firearms were identified as significant contributors to high-altitude suicide rates.
A team of Swiss researchers used THz spectroscopy to measure the surprisingly slow response of solvating water after changing the charge distribution of a dissolved dye molecule. The study found a timescale around 10 picoseconds, which is slower than expected for liquid water.
A new family of enzymes has been discovered that can convert plant waste into high-value products such as nylon and bioplastics. The research also offers additional environmental benefits by creating products from lignin, a previously waste material.
A new study challenges the long-held assumption that plant-eating mammals' diets can be determined by analyzing carbon isotopes in fossil teeth. The researchers found that the value of these isotope analyses changes with body size, leading to a more accurate understanding of extinct species and ecosystems.
Researchers at Michigan Technological University studied acetone degradation during advanced oxidation water treatment to understand the formation of chemical byproducts. They found over 200 reactions involved in acetone degradations, highlighting the need for models to predict byproduct production from other chemicals.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have developed a new method to purify nuclear waste water using electrospun sodium titanate, which speeds up the process and reduces radioactive waste. The method is based on selective ion exchange and has been shown to work like commercially produced materials.
Research from King's College London and Brunel University London found that standing in meetings can be difficult due to social pressure, with participants feeling awkward about breaking rules. However, some reported increased engagement and motivation when standing, and suggested ways for employers to encourage active meetings.
Research shows that illegal lynx hunting is a major factor in declining populations in the Šumava national park, with mortality rates increasing from 3-4% to 15-20% between 1998-2014. The study suggests that stopping hunting and preserving habitats are crucial to maintaining the population.
A fossil of a banana-eating bird ancestor was found in North America, dating back 52 million years. The discovery suggests these birds once thrived outside the tropics, with long legs indicating they may have been ground-dwelling.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) announced the selection of 14 new Fellows, recognizing their excellence in volunteer service, scientific discovery, and clinical practice. The SNMMI Fellowship is one of the most prestigious formal recognitions available to long-time members.
Researchers found improved quality of life and reduced tumor spread in patients treated with LuPSMA therapy. PSMA PET imaging demonstrated exceptional responses, correlating with significant reductions in PSA levels.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that mice can stimulate local growth while suppressing overall growth, enabling damaged tissues to recover and achieve symmetrical adult form. The placenta plays a crucial role in regulating overall growth rate and body proportions during development.
The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) has selected recipients for its 2018 William G. Coleman Jr., Ph.D., Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Innovation Award, supporting innovative research in minority health disparities. The awarded projects focus on key determinants of health inequities...
A team of researchers has developed a mouse model of myotonic dystrophy type 1, revealing multiple mechanisms beyond alternative splicing. The study found a clear association between specific signaling pathways and muscle loss, as well as the upregulation of protein AMPK-alpha and the reduction of PDGFR-beta signaling activity.
A study involving wild and captive baboons found evidence of antibiotic resistance in their gut microbiomes, even without human-produced antibiotic exposure. The researchers used functional metagenomics to identify resistance genes, revealing a surprising enrichment of Actinobacteria in wild baboon populations.
Women with mammographically dense breast tissue have higher recall and biopsy rates, as well as increased odds of screen-detected and interval breast cancer. The study supports automated measurements as a future standard for breast density classification.
A study of over 41,000 Australians found that women are more particular about the education level of their partners, especially under 40, while men become more selective after age 40. The research suggests that women's preferences for education level increase with age due to cultural associations between education and social status.
A UCI researcher has received a $4.8 million CIRM grant to develop a stem cell-based retina therapy for treating retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. The therapy aims to transplant sheets of stem-cell derived retina into the back of the eye, potentially restoring vision.
Researchers at EMBL Grenoble investigate how Xofluza, a new anti-influenza drug, works and explore possible mechanisms for viral resistance. They found that a specific mutation in the virus's polymerase enzyme makes it less susceptible to the drug.
A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that the Na/K-ATPase oxidant amplification loop plays a key role in aging and may be targeted for anti-aging interventions. Researchers successfully demonstrated the therapeutic potential of pNaKtide, a synthetic peptide, in improving impaired physiological functions.
A new study from the University of Waterloo found that fewer than 50% of recommended food-handling practices were followed by Ontario high school students. The researchers observed significant improvements in thermometer use after a training program, but many students continued to engage in risky behaviors.
Researchers have created the highest-resolution image yet of the Zika virus, providing a detailed atomic model that enables efficient vaccine and antiviral compound design. The discovery was made possible by the stability of the Zika virus compared to its flavivirus cousins.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that female presenters receive more polarized comments on TEDx and TED-Ed videos than male presenters. The research team attributed this to historical gender norms and the online community's tendency to respond harshly to women in traditionally male fields.
A new regulatory axis involving the transcription factor Prox1 has been revealed to negatively regulate MMP14 protein levels, which plays a significant role in cancer progression and metastasis. This discovery provides new insights into the mechanisms governing MMP14's function in physiological processes such as wound healing.
The International Journal on Child Maltreatment will publish research on prevention, control and mitigation of child abuse and neglect. The journal aims to present innovative programs and policies for enhancing children's safety and wellbeing.
Researchers found that infants aged 4- to 8-months hold a primary cerebral representation of audiovisual integration in their right hemisphere, with the number of processed materials increasing with experience. This study sheds light on the trajectory of acquiring general knowledge about objects.
Researchers have successfully cultured Treponema pallidum, the bacterium that causes syphilis, using a novel method. The breakthrough, published in mBio, could lead to improved understanding of the disease and the development of new treatments.
A new multi-center study found that patients receiving leadless pacemakers experience overall fewer short-term and mid-term complications than those receiving traditional transvenous pacemakers. Leadless pacemakers completely eliminated lead and pocket complications, including infection.
Researchers discovered that NK cells can kill malaria-infected blood cells when activated by antibodies from people living in areas with high malaria transmission rates. The study provides a new mechanism for creating a malaria vaccine, offering an additional immune response to those already known.
A trial from Niger found that village-wide prophylactic antibiotics significantly reduced the spread of meningitis. The study showed a 60% lower number of new meningitis cases in villages with antibiotic distribution compared to those without, highlighting the effectiveness of mass prophylaxis as an epidemic response.