Researchers found that pale peppered moths are more camouflaged against lichen-covered tree bark than dark moths, making them less likely to be eaten by birds in unpolluted woodland. This supports Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection and provides key evidence for the evolutionary advantage of camouflage.
A study found that progressive massive fibrosis cases among US coal miners rose by 31.5% annually between 1996-2016, defying expectations given improved dust control measures. The increases were highest in Virginia and Kentucky.
Researchers found that personality traits such as conscientiousness, agreeableness, and emotional stability tend to become more stable and mature with age. While individual differences in change exist, the study suggests a general malleability of personality across the lifespan.
A novel encryption technique combining homomorphic encryption and garbled circuits secures data used in online neural networks without significantly slowing their runtimes. This approach holds promise for using cloud-based neural networks for medical-image analysis and other applications that use sensitive data.
A new AI system developed by researchers can accurately edit facial expressions to match dubbed voices, reducing costs and time for the film industry. The technique uses model-based 3D face performance capture to record movements of actors' faces and transposes them onto target actors.
Scientists have found a way to control spin currents using magnetic fields and temperatures, significantly improving the efficiency of fundamental spintronic components. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the design of storage devices like hard disks and create new technologies such as spin current switches.
Typhoon Soulik has the capability to produce heavy rainfall due to extremely low cloud top temperatures. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center noted on Aug. 17 that Soulik was centered near 23.7 degrees north latitude and had maximum sustained winds near 92 mph.
A team of scientists has designed a D-shaped laser that regulates light emission patterns and eliminates instabilities, leading to stable beams. The unique cavity shape causes light to bounce off mirrors in an unpredictable manner, resulting in a stable light stream for high-powered applications.
A study by Lehigh University researchers found that electronic health records (EHRs) left physicians and patients dissatisfied, even after full implementation. Despite improvements in care and outcomes, EHRs reduced physician productivity and frustrated both doctors and patients.
A study by University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus found that doctors with personal cancer experience are 17% more likely to recommend ovarian cancer screening to low-risk women, despite guidelines against it. This bias may be due to overestimating a patient's risk and prioritizing their experience over evidence-based guidelines.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have identified an enzyme, GPAT1, as a promising target for increasing biofuel production from red algae. The study found that TAG productivity could be increased by more than 56 times in a strain overexpressing GPAT1 without negative effects on algal growth.
Researchers found that abrupt thawing more than doubles previous estimates of permafrost-derived greenhouse warming. The process increases ancient carbon stored in soil by 125-190 percent compared to gradual thawing alone.
Tropical Storm Bebinca's strong storms lingered within its weakening center, with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm is forecast to track further inland across Laos and northern Thailand before dissipating.
A study at Dartmouth has uncovered two significant pathogenic pathways contributing to the development of lung cancer. The research, led by Xuemie Ji, identified interaction pathways in the nervous system and cellular processes involved in nutrient transport and immune response.
A new study by Virginia Tech and Georgia Southern University found that giving primary school students 10 extra minutes in the cafeteria boosts their likelihood of eating a nutritious breakfast. The study also revealed that serving breakfasts inside classrooms increases consumption rates even more, getting close to 100%.
Research suggests an inverse relationship between fever and cancer incidence, potentially linked to enhanced gamma/delta T cell activity. This mechanistic hypothesis proposes that repeated exposure to fever boosts the ability of these T cells to detect cellular abnormalities and destroy malignant cells.
Tropical Storm Ernesto has brought light to moderate rainfall to the eastern Atlantic, with the Global Precipitation Measurement mission (GPM) detecting rainfall rates of up to 1.2 inches per hour. The storm is expected to become post-tropical and move across Ireland and the UK on Saturday night.
A GPM satellite scan revealed Hurricane Lane's strengthening to a Category 2 hurricane, with intense rainfall rates of over 128 mm/hour and towering cloud heights. The storm's formation eye wall was accurately mapped using the satellite's radar data.
Scientists have found that many exoplanets, especially those between two to four times the size of Earth, are likely to be water-rich. This suggests that water worlds may be common, with implications for the search for life in our Galaxy.
A new study examines the scope of US state policies targeting drug use during pregnancy, revealing a trend towards punitive laws that limit access to treatment and services for pregnant women. Supportive policies are scarce, with only 12 states having such laws in place as of 2016.
A new study found that seed rain, canopy gaps, and soil disturbances contribute to the establishment of invasive plants. Proximity to seed sources was a significant predictor for wine raspberry, Japanese barberry, and Japanese stiltgrass.
Researchers studied the impact of public health-oriented drug law reforms on HIV incidence among people who inject drugs in Tijuana, Mexico. Implementing reforms could prevent 21% of new HIV infections if incarceration is reduced and individuals are diverted to evidence-based treatment.
A new report by UCSF bioethicists recommends targeted genome sequencing for symptomatic newborns, but opposes universal screening. This approach aims to balance the benefits of genomics with potential risks and costs.
Research suggests that conditions of a first sexual encounter, such as age and consent, can indicate future risk of HIV infection and gender-based violence. Adolescent girls and young women who experience forced or coerced sex encounters are four to five times more likely to face ongoing gender-based violence.
Researchers develop computational tool to automatically create 3D print templates for nanostructures that correspond to user-defined colors. The new design tool has several advantages over previous methods, including a free-form structure that allows for greater flexibility and possibilities for additional coloring effects.
A University of Rhode Island professor has discovered that lizards with shorter hind legs are more likely to survive hurricanes due to their ability to cling to vegetation. This unexpected finding suggests that natural selection may be at play, favoring traits that enhance survival during extreme weather events.
Research by Carnegie Institution scientists reveals that aerosol particles from different countries have varying effects on the climate and air quality. Aerosols emitted in certain regions can cool the planet more than others, with some having a significant impact even if they are far from their source of origin.
A study by Children's National Health System researchers found that chronic sublethal hypoxia causes locomotor miscoordination and long-term cerebellar learning deficits. Restoring GABA levels with an off-the-shelf medicine improves Purkinje cell firing and locomotor performance in a model of neonatal brain injury.
A new roadmap for improving health has been developed by UCLA researchers using software that aggregates data on how to treat conditions of children with complex medical situations. The team identified 10 key health outcome domains, including social integration and family support, to help provide a comprehensive model of care.
A team of researchers at Dartmouth College has created a more sustainable feed for aquaculture by replacing fishmeal with a marine microalga co-product. The study found that the co-product had higher protein content and digestibility of essential amino acids, including omega-3 fatty acids.
Researchers have developed a drug-free method for detecting and destroying the bacteria that cause dental plaque. The approach uses nanoparticles made of hafnium oxide to target and kill harmful bacteria, reducing biofilm burden and preventing conditions like cavities and cardiovascular disease.
Astronomers observed water vapor jets streaming away from a protostar, detecting heavy water naturally emitted by water molecules. ALMA also observed a wealth of complex organic molecules surrounding the star-forming region, with over ten times more spectral lines than previous observations.
Teaching hospitals provide better care, reducing stroke readmissions by up to 13.6% for hemorrhagic stroke patients, while nonteaching hospitals see a higher risk of readmission, especially with complications or septicemia.
After ACA Medicaid expansion, more people filled prescriptions for buprenorphine with naloxone (opioid use disorder treatment) and opioid pain relievers in five states. The study found that this increase could help lessen the opioid crisis by providing medication access for those struggling with addiction.
A SWOG study shows that enrolled patients in cancer clinical trials exhibit similar survival rates, regardless of their rural or urban status. This suggests that uniform treatment strategies and access to quality care can help resolve cancer disparities between rural and urban populations.
Scientists have introduced a microfluidic chip for manipulation and nucleic-acid analysis of individual cells. The technique uses dielectrophoresis to trap and analyze cells efficiently, overcoming conventional methods' limitations. This innovation paves the way for personalized medicine and improved diagnostics.
A simpler and quicker method for detecting the impurity in heparin has been developed by Jason Dwyer, associate professor of chemistry at the University of Rhode Island. The technique uses a sensing method proven in DNA sequencing and can fingerprint heparin to detect contaminants.
Researchers found significant quantities of TiO2 in beach waters off France, with concentrations ranging from 15-45 μg/L. The tiny nanoparticles can lose their protective coating under UV light or seawater composition, exposing toxic titanium dioxide to aquatic organisms.
Research finds US coastal waters are vulnerable to acidification, affecting marine life like salmon, sharks, and cod. Elevated CO2 levels can cause cognitive problems and disorientation in fish, particularly in colder northern waters. The study highlights the need for sustained ocean observations to track coastal chemistry trends.
Researchers at CityU developed a novel ceramic ink to print flexible and stretchable ceramic precursors, enabling complex shapes like origami folding. These precursors can undergo self-reshaping after heat treatment, resulting in mechanically robust and high-strength ceramics.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a clay-based platform that delivers therapeutic proteins to assist with the formation of blood vessels. The technology introduces nanosilicates to deliver growth factors, promoting sustained and controlled release.
Researchers have found that volcanic eruptions cause different impacts on sea surface temperature (SST) gradients over the equatorial Pacific, depending on their latitude. Northern and tropical eruptions lead to El Nino-like warm SST anomalies in the eastern Pacific, while southern eruptions result in weaker warming anomalies with an e...
Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center suggest that lowering pH inside cancer cells can slow down the growth and spread of the disease. By analyzing how variations in pH affect metabolic enzymes, they identified potential therapeutic targets for breast cancer treatment.
A new mid-Cretaceous boganiid beetle with specialized pollen feeding adaptations has been discovered, suggesting an ancient origin for beetle pollination of cycads. The fossil provides early definitive evidence for cycad-insect interactions, illuminating the history of complex entomophily in cycads.
Scientists have identified nearly 200 potential drug targets for tuberculosis, a complex disease caused by bacteria made up of 4,000 genes. The research found that specific human proteins, such as CBL, can limit bacterial infections and potentially provide a new approach to combat the disease.
Researchers have developed a new synthetic route to 1,4-dicarbonyls, a class of molecules found in natural products, drug targets, and pharmaceuticals. By using sulfoxides, a type of oxidized sulfur compound, they can create multiple isomers selectively.
Sandia National Laboratories engineers a platinum-gold alloy that surpasses diamond and sapphire in wear resistance, making it ideal for high-friction applications. The new alloy could save the electronics industry over $100 million annually by reducing material costs and improving durability.
A new study finds that abrupt thawing of permafrost beneath thermokarst lakes can release significant amounts of greenhouse gases, including methane and carbon, potentially doubling the release from terrestrial landscapes by the 2050s. This could lead to a significant feedback effect on climate change.
Researchers studied ants' tunnel excavation to understand optimal traffic flow in crowded environments. They found that idleness, reversals, and uneven work distribution reduced clogs and improved performance. These strategies can be applied to improve movement in engineered systems like robot swarms.
A study by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers found that 30% of ants do 70% of the work in fire ant colonies, optimizing digging without clogs. Robots programmed to mimic ant behavior outperformed their human-made counterparts, demonstrating the efficiency of unequal work distributions and reversal behaviors.
African oil palm cultivation could impact primates due to high demand for the crop. The study found that only 3.3 million hectares of land offer little impact on primates, while 273 Mha can be planted with varying yields.
Researchers developed an IoT-based platform called OBSY that improved active learning engagement and outcomes in primary school students. The device, designed to be child-friendly, enabled students to visualize data and experiment with different conditions, leading to higher learning engagement and improved outcomes.
Researchers found that adding retinoic acid to standard-of-care treatment for melanoma can turn off myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) that resist immune treatments, leading to increased immune system activity. The study showed a safe and promising strategy to target MDSCs, which could be a useful addition to immunotherapies for ...
The Hastings Center report explores advanced care directives for dementia patients, childhood obesity, and patient demands for specific healthcare providers or racial/ethnic backgrounds. Competent individuals should have control over life-sustaining treatments, while environmental factors contribute to childhood obesity.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a method to produce multiple colors simultaneously on an electronic chip, enabling broader bandwidth for sensing and processing information. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in nanophotonics, bio-sensing, and imaging applications.
A recent UTHealth-led survey revealed that only 19.3% of healthcare organizations in the US and Australia have fully implemented voluntary guidelines for safe e-health record management. The study found significant variation in adherence rates across different domains, suggesting factors such as budget constraints, personnel skill mix,...
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) will provide seafloor seismographs and technical support under a new cooperative agreement, starting August 1, 2018. The OBSIC replaces an earlier instrument pool, providing unique insights into seismic activity and ocean basins.
Researchers have introduced a new method for making desalination membranes, allowing for greater control over thickness and texture. The electrospray technique produces films as thin as four nanometers with improved surface roughness, leading to better desalinization performance.
Tropical Storm Bebinca has cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit, producing heavy rainfall. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center forecasts a landfall just south of Hanoi late on Aug. 16 or early on Aug. 17.
A new study published in The Lancet Public Health journal found that moderate carbohydrate intake is associated with the lowest risk of mortality. Diets low in carbohydrates and high in protein and fats from animal sources were linked to a higher risk of death, while those with moderate carbohydrate intake had the longest lifespan.