Studies examined point-light displays of biological motion in twins, revealing individual variation tied to genetic factors; participants with higher autistic traits showed impaired local BM processing. A shared genetic basis may underlie both perception and autistic characteristics.
A new study examines nutrient loss reduction strategies from three upper Midwestern states and finds promise in certain practices like cover crops and bioreactors. The researchers also assess the trackability and stackability of these practices, which will aid decision makers in choosing specific conservation practices to adopt or avoid.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a thermochromic material that works as both transparent and non-transparent, producing electricity when darkened. The material's reversible phase transition enables it to switch between these states without degrading its electronic properties.
A new analysis of marine fossils reveals that polar oceans warmed more than previously thought during the Eocene, a greenhouse period. The study's findings challenge modern climate models, which underestimated polar ocean warming by about 50 percent.
Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute identified the p53 gene as a master regulator of mesenchymal stem cells' ability to differentiate. The study found that a basal level of p53 is required for MSCs to act accurately in the body, and its deletion can lead to unexpected differentiation outcomes.
Wild Australian rice's unique genetics hold the key to improving drought tolerance, pest resistance, and nutritional benefits in commercial rice production. The study reveals that northern Australia's wild rices contain valuable genetic diversity closely related to domesticated rice, which can be cross-bred for improved crop resilience.
A new medical school elective at Boston University School of Medicine combines standard education with direct patient care experience to increase confidence and improve care outcomes for transgender patients. Students reported significant increases in comfort and knowledge after participating in the elective.
Researchers have discovered a way to minimize waste in solar energy capture by designing materials that can harness previously wasted light. This breakthrough could push solar cell efficiency beyond 30%, addressing limitations of silicon-based solar cells.
Researchers at Siberian Federal University have developed a new method for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions in heat power plants (HPPs). By modeling the process of coal burning and testing different fuels, they found that mechanically activated fuel can reduce Nox emissions by up to 50% compared to traditional coal. This technology ha...
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have created a new, highly efficient catalyst material that could significantly reduce the cost of producing fuel cells. The material, made from porous carbon nanofibers embedded with cobalt, outperforms industry-standard platinum-carbon systems but at a fraction of the cost.
Researchers have produced the first detailed images of a giant star outside our solar system, showcasing a nearly circular atmosphere with complex convection cells. The study confirms theories about the characteristics of these stars, providing insight into their future activity and appearance.
A study published in HortTechnology has found that bad posture can increase loads by 50% on the lower back and double on the shoulders, leaving people susceptible to chronic injuries. The researchers used 3D optical tracking equipment to analyze the movement of gardeners undertaking routine tasks.
Researchers discovered Asian elephants in Sri Lanka respond with alarm and retreat to bee sounds, similar to African counterparts. The study aims to develop effective community-based beehive fence deterrent systems to reduce human-elephant conflict and protect the endangered species.
Researchers compared global water storage trends from 2002-2014 using GRACE satellite data and seven hydrology models. The study found that model projections of climate and human-induced changes are likely underestimates.
Researchers found that human neurochemical profiles are consistent with enhanced sensitivity to social cues, promoting monogamy and reducing within-group aggression. Elevated serotonin and neuropeptide Y levels may have encouraged male provisioning, while a dopamine-dominated striatum could have led to increased brain size and language.
Researchers at Swansea University have discovered patterns in soil fractures that could speed up the decontamination of industrial brownfield sites. The technique uses fracturing to generate high-conductivity pathways for fluid exchange, reducing cleaning time and cost.
Researchers successfully produced a high-powered, randomly polarized laser beam using a 'Q switch' laser, which typically emits brief pulses of light. This breakthrough expands the potential applications of smaller and more powerful lasers in various fields.
Researchers at Brown University aim to store billions of terabytes of data in a single flask of liquid using synthetic molecules. The project, backed by a $4.1 million DARPA award, has the potential to enable computation through chemical reactions and improve information densities.
A new study by University of Waterloo researchers found that vaccines used by commercial fish farmers are not protecting fish from disease, with vaccinated fish showing more symptoms and higher death rates. The study highlights the need for veterinary pharmaceutical companies to redesign and test vaccines tailored to fish immune systems.
A computer-based language classifier predicted psychosis in at-risk youths with up to 83% accuracy, identifying disturbances in speech flow and tangential thinking as indicative of psychosis. The technology has the potential to improve prediction and prevention of psychosis by targeting cognitive deficits.
Researchers identified four fundamental building blocks for all proteins, which can be stacked together to form energy-rich molecules available to humans and other living organisms. The discovery could lead to applications in biomedical engineering, therapeutic proteins, and industrial catalysts.
Researchers at Lobachevsky University have developed a new type of magnetic semiconductor layer that demonstrates spin-dependent phenomena at room temperature. The layers, fabricated using pulsed laser deposition, exhibit ferromagnetic properties and unique spin-split band structures.
A team of scientists has identified the protein kinase MSK1 as a key regulator of dormant or latent metastases in estrogen-positive breast cancer. The study found that tumors expressing MSK1 have a longer period of latency with no symptoms, reducing the risk of earlier relapse.
Exposure to a widely used flame retardant chemical mixture can disrupt placental function, leading to altered production of the neurotransmitter serotonin. This study found evidence of endocrine, inflammatory and neurotransmitter signaling pathway disruption in placentas.
PTB physicists have developed a frequency-doubling unit that can endure transportation and maintain accuracy. The unit is based on a highly stable monolithic enhancement cavity for second harmonic generation, enabling reliable laser light for quantum-optical experiments.
Infants born in opioid withdrawal after utero exposure show a significant increase in torticollis and plagiocephaly. These abnormalities can be prevented with early preventive measures, such as occupational and physical therapy.
Researchers have used a material's persistent photoconductivity to stimulate PC12 neurotypic cells, demonstrating a faster and noninvasive way to influence cellular behavior. The technique, which was shown to increase calcium ion levels within the cells, has the potential to advance research on cellular behavior.
Researchers used global climate models to predict March US snowpack based on July 1 conditions, outperforming statistical predictions. This approach could improve water management and hazard preparedness.
Researchers at the University of Innsbruck used a sophisticated measurement method to create a chemical fingerprint of urban VOC emission sources. The study found that emissions from cosmetics, detergents, and food preparation contribute significantly to the total VOC burden, with some compounds leaving characteristic 'scent' in the air.
A new study found that one in three low-income renters face housing instability, linked to poor health outcomes and material hardships. Housing instability was associated with increased odds of adverse health outcomes, including poor caregiver health and food insecurity.
Researchers created a computer model using neural networks to predict areas prone to corruption, finding that longer government terms and certain economic variables increase the likelihood. The study aims to contribute to anti-corruption efforts by targeting high-risk regions.
A new study published in LGBT Health found that young men who have sex with men are less likely to receive school-based HIV education than their female-only sex partners. The study associated HIV education with reduced sexual risk behaviors, particularly among young MSM.
Researchers at the University of Groningen have developed a new metal-semiconductor interface that combines storage, memory and processing in one unit, paving the way for brain-inspired computing architectures. The device uses a spin-memristor with tunability, enabling non-volatile storage and operation at room temperature.
Researchers used a combination of conventional and remotely-sensed climate measurements to model the future distributions of bamboo species in southwestern China. This approach increased confidence in model results, providing valuable guidance for conservation planning and nuanced decision-making.
Researchers created synthetic neurons from a readily available cell line to investigate purine synthesis in the human brain. The study found that the core enzyme FGAMS is expressed throughout neurons and non-neuronal cells, with infection by herpes simplex virus affecting its expression and clustering.
The study found that mitochondrial DNA mutation rates differ across various tissues, particularly in reproductive cells, which could lead to devastating diseases if passed to future offspring. Researchers used a novel method to isolate mitochondria from specific cells, shedding light on the mechanisms regulating gene mutations.
Researchers developed artificial receptors called EVIR that enable dendritic cells to capture antigens from the patient's tumor, amplifying the immune response against cancer. The EVIR technology exploits pro-tumoral exosomes as selective nanocarriers of tumor antigens.
A new study published in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that marijuana use among couples does not lower their chances of getting pregnant. The researchers surveyed over 4,000 women and their male partners, finding that conception probabilities were similar between those who used marijuana and those who did not.
A long-term study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology researchers has shed new light on the consequences of very low birth weights on cognitive development. The study found that individuals born with very low birth weights have difficulties with cognitive control, including proactive and reactive systems.
New Caledonian crows manufacture hooked stick tools to outsmart hidden food, extracting it 2-10 times faster with improved efficiency. The study reveals that even small tool design changes can significantly boost foraging performance.
A recent study by KAUST researchers reveals that CD34, a protein used to identify blood-forming cells, also binds adhesion molecules in the bone marrow. This binding aids in proper engraftment of blood-forming stem and progenitor cells following transplantation.
Researchers found that changes in humidity determine how much snowpack contributes to streams, lakes, and groundwater as the climate warms. Cloudy, humid winter days cause snowpack to warm faster, increasing melt during winter months. In contrast, clear skies and low humidity preserve the snowpack until spring. The study highlights the...
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that despite the Clean Heat Program, many buildings continued to burn residual diesel fuel oil, releasing high levels of particulate matter and linked health problems. The researchers recommend new incentives and a building energy rating system to encourage conversion.
The Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP) achieved its intended effect of encouraging teenagers to speak up and seek adult help for themselves or a peer. More than 54% of students were depression-literate four months after the curriculum, compared with 36% of students who weren't exposed.
A new assay has been developed to detect HIV antibodies in oral fluid, showing high sensitivity and specificity. This assay may enable early diagnosis of HIV infection in populations at risk, potentially improving public health efforts.
Researchers found that even mild depressive symptoms were associated with poorer overall survival in patients with head and neck cancer. The study indicates that patients should be screened for depressive symptoms at diagnosis and treated promptly to improve treatment outcomes.
A new algorithm, VarQuest, has been developed to identify naturally occurring antibiotics, revealing an order of magnitude more compounds than previous studies. This breakthrough could lead to the discovery of new medicines and help combat rising antibiotic resistance.
Survival rates for in-hospital cardiac arrests have improved over the past 15 years, with a significant increase in both on-hours and off-hours groups. However, patients who experience cardiac arrest during nights or weekends continue to face lower survival rates compared to those who arrest during daytime hours.
Researchers are exploring gene delivery strategies for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, enabling sustained drug production at the site of disease. Clinical trials are underway in the U.S., with the first arthritis gene therapy recently approved in Korea.
Researchers have measured a significant increase in heat loss from the Earth's interior, warming deep water in northeast Greenland fjords and melting glaciers. This heat triggers ice sheet sliding towards the sea, with the potential to improve models of ice sheet dynamics and global water rise predictions.
A new study warns of long-lasting consequences from seabed mining, which could destroy deep-sea ecosystems and affect marine life globally. The research highlights the need for precautions and alternative approaches to mitigate potential harm.
Researchers adapt HIV/AIDS treatment-cascade model to combat rheumatic heart disease in sub-Saharan Africa, finding that patients facing distance barriers have lower continuation rates. The study shows that decentralizing care and providing more staff, funding, and resources per capita at regional sites can increase patient retention.
A scientifically based CAMBRA model, including risk assessment and aggressive preventive measures, dramatically reduces tooth decay in community dental practices. The study's findings support earlier research and have potential to transform dental care for high-risk patients at lower costs.
New NOAA research predicts snowpack levels in the West 8 months in advance, providing crucial information for farmers and urban water managers. The accurate predictions can be made on a mountain range scale, helping to improve regional water forecasts and inform decisions on water supply, wildfire risk, ecology, and agriculture.
A global assessment of small hydropower dams highlights their potential for growth, but lacks scientific studies on their environmental impact. Researchers estimate that nearly 83,000 small dams are operating or under construction in 150 countries, with the number potentially tripling if all capacity were developed.
The Blavatnik Family Foundation is providing a $10 million grant to Columbia University's Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. The gift will support the Blavatnik Fund for Engineering Innovations in Health, which aims to attract graduate student talent and promote early-stage research across disciplines.
New research from the Universities of Southampton and Liverpool projects that global temperatures will exceed 1.5°C and 2.0°C above pre-industrial levels within 17-41 years if carbon emissions continue at current rates. Immediate action is needed to develop a carbon-neutral future or prepare for climate adaptation strategies.
A recent study by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso aims to identify the most accurate stool test for detecting colorectal cancer. The research consortium will compare four different fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) to determine their effectiveness in detecting blood in the stool, a common early sign of cancer.
A new 508-million-year-old bristle worm species from the Burgess Shale has provided key insights into the origin of the head in annelids. The fossil discovery reveals that the annelid head evolved from posterior body segments with pair bundles of hair-sized bristles, a hypothesis supported by developmental biology.
Researchers created printable PDMS using a mixture of two polymers, resulting in improved cell adhesion and mechanical properties. The 3D-printed material showed better tensile strength compared to molded or cast PDMS.