The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will study the ocean's twilight zone using next-generation robotic vehicles and sensors. The project aims to understand the region's ecosystem, its potential benefits for humanity, and its impact on climate regulation.
A study published in The BMJ found that increasing cigarette prices by 50% would lead to significant gains in life years gained, treatment costs averted, and financial protection for low-income individuals. Men in the bottom income group would gain an average of five times more life years than those in the top income group.
A new personalized vaccine has shown promise in boosting immune responses and increasing survival rates in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The vaccine combines different immunotherapies to better tackle the disease, which is often diagnosed at later stages and lacks curative treatment options.
Researchers have developed a technique to analyze old proteins on historical artifacts, providing insight into past lifestyles and medical conditions. This method, using chromatography resins, can identify biomarkers like morphine and kidney disease indicators, shedding light on the lives of those who created or used these items.
Researchers have found two new subglacial lakes in the Canadian Arctic, which are thought to be similar to potential habitats for microbial life on other moons in our solar system. The discovery could help scientists prepare for future missions, such as NASA's Europa Clipper mission.
A new method prioritizes species for conservation efforts in the face of uncertainty. The approach overcomes data limitations to identify phylogenetic conservation priorities, producing accurate estimates of evolutionary distinctness scores.
Research found droughts halve overall flower numbers, reducing food for bees and other pollinators in chalk grasslands.
A randomized controlled trial found that a new bed net coated with piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and pyrethroid insecticide reduced malaria prevalence in children by 44%, compared to standard nets, over one year. The WHO recommends increasing coverage of PBO bed nets in areas where resistance to pyrethroids is developing.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have identified a hormone imbalance as the underlying cause of treatment-resistant hypertension in around 10% of patients. The discovery highlights the potential benefits of spironolactone and amiloride in managing resistant hypertension.
Researchers at Shinshu University have developed a new type of membrane that can withstand harsh conditions and is resistant to chlorine degradation. The multi-walled carbon nanotube-polyamide nanocomposite membrane has the potential to revolutionize water desalination, making it more efficient and cost-effective.
Dr. Nishitha Pillai, a second-year medical genetics resident at Baylor College of Medicine, has been awarded the 2018-2019 Sanofi Genzyme/ACMG Foundation Next Generation Fellowship Award for her work in Medical Biochemical Genetics. The award will provide clinical and research experience to support her training.
Scientists successfully assembled and annotated the genome of California Yellowtail fish, a high-value species in the sashimi industry. The study improves understanding of sex determination and provides insights into developing more palatable farmed fish and optimizing aquaculture practices.
Researchers from MIPT have created biosensor chips based on copper and graphene oxide, achieving unmatched sensitivity. The innovative design enables compact devices compatible with microelectronics technology, opening up new avenues for bio-sensing applications.
A study published in Science reveals that some Central American frog species are recovering from a deadly fungal pathogen, with skin secretions showing improved antimicrobial defenses. The research suggests that the pathogen remains lethal, but frogs' natural defenses appear to be more effective than before the epidemic.
Researchers found a simple patterning cascade model that accounts for shifts in molar evolution during hominin origins, predicting variations in molar configuration based on embryonic signaling cells. The study suggests small, subtle tweaks to developmental toolkit can result in complex anatomy.
Researchers have found a newly identified subset of a known genetic variant associated with an increased risk of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in individuals of South Asian descent. The study suggests that this genetic variant and its subset may be better markers for carriers of heart dysfunction in this population.
A study of a billion Twitter posts found that users with darker skin tones modified emojis more often to express their identity, while users with light skin were less likely to make changes. The results also showed that darker skin tones were underrepresented globally, but still widely used.
Tropical Cyclone Keni is being battered by vertical wind shear, with NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite revealing clouds and storms pushed southeast of the center. Sea surface temperatures are too cool to support a tropical cyclone, making Keni an asymmetric and elongated storm.
The remnant low pressure area of Tropical Cyclone Iris appears more circular and organized, with a consolidating banding of thunderstorms. The storm's remnants are forecast to turn southwest and may regenerate in the next few days, potentially regaining tropical cyclone status.
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) has slowed down by about 15 percent since the 1950s, with recent years showing a record low. This weakening is linked to rising carbon dioxide levels and impacts fish distributions, ocean temperatures, and fisheries in the Northeast U.S. Shelf.
A Princeton University researcher has discovered a bacterium that can break down toxic metal pollutants in the absence of oxygen. This microbe, Acidimicrobiaceae bacterium A6, can perform chemical conversion in anaerobic conditions, potentially providing an efficient alternative to costly oxygen-dependent methods.
Researchers at the University of Delaware created a biodegradable shoe using mushrooms, chicken feathers, and textile waste. The shoe's sole is made from a bio-composite material that can be composted, reducing waste in the fashion industry.
A new paper challenges the concept of 'healthy obesity,' arguing that it is flawed and misleading. Researchers propose further investigation into factors such as early life events, smoking, and obesity duration to understand why some obese individuals are healthy while others develop diseases.
Fossil insects from Jurassic and mid-Cretaceous periods exhibit structural colors due to wavelength-selective scattering of light. The discovery provides insight into the evolution of lepidopteran scales and their optical properties.
The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) will survey nearly the entire sky for signs of passing planets. The spacecraft aims to detect thousands of stars hosting transiting planets and measure the masses of at least 50 small planets less than four times that of Earth.
Alcoholic liver disease has become the leading cause of liver transplantation in the US, surpassing hepatitis C infection, according to two studies. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is also on the rise, ranking second as a cause of liver transplantation due to chronic liver disease.
A biologically inspired membrane, called memzyme, can capture 90% of carbon dioxide from coal-fired power plants with a low cost of $40 per ton. The membrane uses an enzyme to rapidly and selectively dissolve carbon dioxide molecules.
Research found that a genetic variation in FGF21 is associated with lower body fat percentage and increased blood pressure. The study of over 450,000 individuals suggests that people with this genetic predisposition tend to consume more sugar than others.
A new study found that wildfire smoke exposure is associated with increased rates of ER visits for heart-related complaints, including ischemic heart disease, irregular heart rhythm, and pulmonary embolism, among adults aged 65 and older. The risk was greatest on dense smoke days.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new technology that uses manganese instead of cobalt to increase lithium-ion battery capacity. This breakthrough could reduce the world's reliance on cobalt, which is mined by hand and has raised concerns about child labor.
Researchers found that participants saw a neutral face as smiling more when paired with an unseen positive image. The study suggests that our emotional experiences shape our perception of the world.
Global rates of mental disorders among children remain stable, with prevalence high and constant across emerging regions. Mental disorders surpassed infectious diseases as main causes of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in children, according to a new study.
Dr. Judith G. Hall, a pioneering geneticist, has been awarded the David L. Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award for her groundbreaking research and teaching on human growth and connective tissue disorders. She is recognized for helping establish medical genetics as an accredited clinical specialty.
The 2018 Medscape Physician Compensation Report shows modest increases in physician pay, with psychiatrists experiencing a 16% jump, while the gender pay gap remains unchanged. Specialty salaries vary widely, with plastic surgeons ranking highest at $501,000.
Researchers identified PDE5 inhibitors, like Viagra, as potential treatments for glioblastoma multiforme and other rare cancers. The study suggests these drugs may increase permeability to improve drug delivery to brain tumors.
Researchers discovered that patients with Primary Progressive Aphasia use different brain regions to process language, compensating for damaged areas. This finding holds hope for targeted treatments and earlier disease assessments.
A two-year trial showed that a long-lasting insecticidal net treated with piperonyl butoxide reduced malaria prevalence by 44% and 33% compared to standard nets. The study also demonstrated unprecedented control through indoor residual spraying, reducing infection by 48%. WHO has revised its recommendations for the use of these novel n...
Physicists and chemists at the University of Münster have developed a microscopic method to image organic molecules with exceptional resolution. The technique uses an atomically defined probe tip that greatly increases imaging resolution by reducing undesired interaction between atoms.
Researchers develop SyMAPS technique to study self-assembling virus shells, which can be used for disease detection, drug delivery and vaccinations. The technique allows testing of nearly 2,600 versions of the protein, providing insight into how mutations change the scaffolding.
Research found rock ants with slightly better vision in one eye tend to turn left, contradicting previous thinking on human lateralization. This suggests physical indicators of lateralization can be externally observable.
A recent study found that gene regulation by protein transcription factors is the most likely mechanism for generating evolutionary change. This discovery challenges previous assumptions and sheds light on the process of evolutionary adaptation.
Researchers at NIST developed a quantum method to generate random numbers guaranteed by quantum mechanics. The new technique surpasses previous methods and enhances security in cryptographic systems. By analyzing correlations between distant photons, the researchers certified and quantified randomness available in the data.
Scientists have successfully synthesized α-amanitin, a deadly mushroom toxin with potential anti-cancer properties. The breakthrough could lead to improved production methods and potentially attenuate the toxin's toxicity.
The Mississippi Delta has experienced high net land loss over the past century due to human activities and sea level rise. A new study reveals that only a small portion of the delta will be sustainable in the future, as growth rates were much lower than current land loss rates.
Researchers developed a nasal spray vaccine that shifts the immune response toward peanut tolerance in mice with established allergies. The vaccine's nano-emulsion adjuvant promotes a strong infection-fighting response that suppresses allergic reactions.
A Massachusetts General Hospital-led study reveals that chronic early-life stress raises PTSD vulnerability by increasing ghrelin levels in both rat models and human adolescents. Elevated ghrelin levels are associated with increased fear response and susceptibility to mental health disorders.
Researchers found that simultaneous chemotherapy and immunotherapy is safe and patients with certain genetic mutations may respond particularly well. The combination approach was shown to boost immune cells in the blood, allaying previous concerns about chemotherapy's impact on immunotherapy.
A study by the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies found that distance to roads and amount of nearby pavement significantly influence well water salinity. Hotspots with high salinization were identified, particularly near sharp turns, steep grades, and narrow streets.
Scientists have developed a material that mimics cactus roots' ability to absorb and retain vast amounts of water with minimal evaporation. The material, called CRIM, can absorb water nearly 930 times faster than it loses through evaporation.
Nina Gummadi, a third-year medical student at Boston University School of Medicine, has received a Fulbright Scholar Award to conduct research on mental health issues in orphaned children in India. Her project aims to characterize barriers to mental health care and develop screening protocols for this at-risk population.
A clinical trial is underway to test an experimental peptide drug, ALRN-6924, which has shown promise against acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by tripling the median survival rate in animal models. The drug targets p53 and MDMX/MDM2 proteins, blocking tumor growth in both mature and immature AML cells.
Researchers found that the efficiency of information processing cannot be increased indefinitely, with thermodynamic and information theory combining to identify key factors. Better understanding and tailored software can influence the limit.
Researchers found that pepper plants metabolize triclocarban, a personal care product antibiotic, leading to potential health concerns. The study's results suggest that the plant's ability to convert the substance into other molecules affects its safety assessment.
Researchers have developed a vaccine that can redirect the immune response to prevent allergic symptoms, providing extended relief from peanut allergies. The study shows promise for potential therapy of allergies in humans and may lead to long-lasting suppression of food allergies.
Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute used single-cell technology and organoids to study colorectal cancer cells, discovering that each cell is genetically unique and has many more mutations than normal cells. The study may allow for targeted prevention or treatment of cancer.
Researchers developed a new method to train computers to better recognize objects in the real world by using virtual reality. A virtual dataset called ParallelEye was created, allowing for diverse and realistic images of various scenes, which significantly improved performance on object detection tasks.
Researchers developed a novel personalized vaccine made from tumor tissue and immune cells, inducing potent immune responses in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. The vaccine showed promise in extending overall survival and improving progression-free survival.
Researchers from Harvard have quantified the effect of NOx pollution on OH radicals in the Amazon rainforest, finding that daytime peak OH concentrations increase by at least 250% in polluted areas. This study highlights the impact of human activities on atmospheric chemistry, with potential implications for cloud formation and rainfall.
Scientists at University of Virginia Health System have found evidence that doctors can load custom blends of immune cells into the brain to battle diseases like Alzheimer's. The discovery enables doctors to tailor immune responses without radiation, a major breakthrough in treating neurological disorders.
Glacier research suggests north-facing ice cliffs contribute significantly to melting of debris-covered glaciers in the Himalayas. Satellites show rapid mass loss, contrary to initial assumptions that debris protects the ice from direct solar radiation.