A study published in PLOS Medicine found that UK supermarkets' checkout food policies led to a 17.3% reduction in small package purchases of sugary foods within four weeks of policy introduction, with a sustained impact over time.
New research suggests that removing sweets from checkouts can lead to a significant reduction in the amount of unhealthy food purchased, with 17% fewer small packages of sugary confectionary and chocolate taken home, and 76% fewer on-the-go purchases made.
Researchers discovered a combination of a cancer vaccine with two checkpoint drugs reduced pancreatic cancer tumors in mice, indicating a possible pathway for treatment. The approach has promise for patients who are or become resistant to immunotherapy drugs after a recurrence of their tumors.
Researchers used machine learning to categorize porous organic cage molecules based on their cavity shapes and adsorption properties. The study demonstrated that the learned encoding captures key features of the cavities, enabling potential energy savings in gas separations.
A study of 1,500 women found that cesarean delivery was associated with lower risk of stress urinary incontinence and overactive bladder compared to spontaneous vaginal delivery. Operative vaginal deliveries, such as those using forceps or vacuum-assisted, were linked to higher risk of anal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
A new study published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine suggests that workplace resilience programs may not have a positive impact on employees' mental health and wellbeing. The researchers found no evidence that a specific program improved recruits' mental health and attitudes towards mental illness after training.
A systematic review of traditional medicine (TCAM) use in Sub-Saharan Africa found significant and widespread use among the general population and specific health conditions. TCAM use was often aligned with sociocultural and spiritual values, with herbal therapy being the most common treatment.
Researchers at New York University have developed a method to visualize genetic mutations in single cells, allowing for early detection of rare events and high-resolution analysis of evolutionary tempo. This breakthrough has significant implications for studying mutations in pathogens and human cancers.
Researchers linked health factors like access to public transit, grocery store variety, and food prices to major diseases. The study found significant differences in environmental factors across Canada's provinces, urban-rural communities, and regions.
Researchers uncovered a crucial quality-control mechanism inside cells that fails when contributing to major diseases including cancers. The discovery found an enzyme called casein kinase II adds molecular tags onto Spt6, a key protein in transcription, preventing inappropriate transcription.
A new study at Northwestern University has developed a revolutionary tool to rapidly test millions of nanoparticles for specific applications. The novel approach utilizes a combinatorial library, or megalibrary, of nanoparticles and an in situ Raman spectroscopy-based screening technique to identify optimal compositions.
Research reveals that low-income, rural kids are at higher risk of second- and third-hand smoke exposure, with as many as 63% of children having detectable levels of cotinine. The study found that frequent moves, lower income, and more adults in the home increase a child's exposure to smoke.
Researchers developed a novel di-cationic ionic liquid catalyst for the solvent-free synthesis of xanthenediones. The method produces excellent yields and short reaction times with minimal catalyst loss.
A new model of ice friction offers crucial insight into glacier flows, revealing how cavities form during sliding and influencing ice movement. This discovery has significant implications for understanding sea level rise and climate change.
A new study published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior found a strong link between unfair treatment by police and telomere length, a biological indicator of psychological stress, among black men. Telomeres were shorter for those reporting unfair treatment, and the link was more pronounced in black men.
Two new studies published in the British Journal of Cancer reveal alarming breast cancer risks for women with false-positive screening results. Women who experience a first false-positive result have a two-fold risk of developing screen-detected or interval breast cancer later in life, while those with a second false-positive result fa...
A new RNA-binding compound has been found to block the most common genetic cause of both familial ALS and frontotemporal dementia, according to researchers at Scripps Research. The compound targets a specific form of RNA involved in protein production, potentially providing a new avenue for treating these diseases.
Researchers assess the promise of gallium oxide as an ultrawide bandgap semiconductor, offering improved thermal management and gate dielectrics. Ga2O3's potential applications include high-voltage rectifiers in power conditioning and distribution systems, such as electric cars and photovoltaic solar systems.
Moderate-to-large weight gain and loss among middle-aged and elderly Chinese Singaporeans are linked to increased risk of death, with weight loss associated with higher risk than weight gain. The study suggests that maintaining stability in body weight within the non-obese range may reduce mortality risk.
Researchers urge employers to integrate mental health first aid into a broader system of support for employees. The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health recommends a 'prevention first' approach that tackles root causes of mental health issues through good management and organizational culture.
A Johns Hopkins-led initiative screened over 5,000 Tibetan refugee children and staff for tuberculosis disease and infection. The study found nearly one in five children had TB infection, highlighting the need for population-level control measures.
A study by the University of São Paulo's Biomedical Science Institute shows that sofosbuvir can eliminate both chikungunya and yellow fever viruses without damaging human cells. This finding has significant implications for public health, particularly in Brazil where a chikungunya epidemic is forecasted.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a novel computerized approach to detect lung cancer using routine CAT scans. The method analyzes patterns of heterogeneity within and outside the tumor, distinguishing benign from malignant nodules with high accuracy.
A new study estimates that 2025 million takeaway containers are used annually in the European Union, generating equivalent greenhouse gas emissions of 55,000 cars. Reusable Tupperware containers can reduce carbon footprint when reused over 18 times, while styrofoam has a lower life cycle environmental impact despite being non-recyclable.
A study published by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found significant shifts in Afghan attitudes towards education and child marriage in underdeveloped regions. The research, conducted among nearly 1,400 Afghans aged 12-15 and their parents, indicates that getting married at a young age and leaving school early have be...
A large study found that widespread, low-intensity antibiotic use in the US is more closely linked to antibiotic resistance than high-intensity use by a small fraction of the population. The study analyzed data from over 60 million Americans and found that occasional use was associated with higher rates of resistance.
Researchers found children born in the 1990s are reaching skeletal maturity faster than those born in the 1930s. The 'new normal' for bone maturity timing directly impacts pediatric orthopaedic care for conditions like leg-length differences and scoliosis.
Researchers at University of East Anglia have successfully sequenced the common primrose's complete genome sequence, revealing the landscape of genes involved in its two different flowering forms. This breakthrough provides fresh insight into a puzzle that has captivated scientists for over 150 years.
The endocast of Australopithecus fossil Little Foot shows a brain with asymmetrical structures similar to modern humans, but also features distinct from us, including an expanded visual cortex and reduced parietal association cortex. This suggests that the brain's complexity evolved over time in response to environmental pressures.
Researchers at MIT and Sandia National Laboratories have developed a new laser-based system that can monitor radiation-induced changes continuously, providing more useful data much faster than traditional methods. This allows for detailed studies of the performance of materials in just hours, instead of months.
A new study published in the Biodiversity Data Journal reveals a total of 20,539 samples of different Iberian spider species, with 11 new species discovered. The research highlights the lack of knowledge on Iberian spiders and emphasizes the need for standardized protocols and wider taxonomical data to protect their conservation.
A study of 39,742 people found that exercise was just as effective as most blood pressure lowering drugs in reducing systolic blood pressure, especially for those with high blood pressure. Combining endurance and dynamic resistance training also showed promising results.
The Gluonic Excitations Experiment, or GlueX, has completed its first phase of data collection at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. The experiment aims to produce and study hybrid mesons, which can offer new insights into quark confinement and the strong force.
Researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering have developed a physics-based model that reveals the relationship between structural defects in graphene and electrode sensitivity. By optimizing point defects in number and density, they can create an electrode up to 20 times more sensitive than conventional ones.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have identified a potential new treatment for ALS by repurposing an existing medication called telbivudine. The drug targets the toxic properties of SOD1, a misfolding protein that causes toxicity in patients with ALS.
Researchers found a correlation between bismuth ferrite's structure and its magnetic properties, which can help create new materials with specific properties. The study revealed that structural distortions caused by substitutions, lattice defects, and exchange interactions affect the material's magnetic behavior.
A team of UD engineers has developed a method to use CRISPR/Cas9 technology for conditional gene regulation, introducing a new functionality to the technology. This allows scientists to precisely target and edit DNA within living cells, which could help correct inherited diseases.
A Texas A&M engineering team uses machine learning and AI to develop an autonomous framework for discovering new materials. The system can adaptively pick the best models to find optimal materials, reducing the time and cost of research.
A Genetic Data Protection Act is needed to control access to medical genetic data by law enforcement agencies, according to a University of Queensland analysis. The researchers warn that current laws do not fit well with genetic data, putting vulnerable individuals and their descendants at risk.
A study from Osaka University reveals how human pluripotent stem cells can be differentiated into corneal and retinal cells by growing them on specific forms of the protein laminin. The findings show that different laminin isoforms affect cell behavior, density, and interactions, which in turn influence the types of ocular cells produced.
A new study published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery found no major impact on brain health after major heart surgery. Researchers compared cognitive decline between patients undergoing heart surgery and those who received a catheter-based procedure, and found that the two groups showed little difference in memory performance.
A team from the Technical University of Munich has achieved photochemical deracemization of chiral compounds, converting a mixture into a single enantiomer with high concentrations up to 97 percent. This method saves time and energy by utilizing all molecules in the process.
A new study by International Institute for Sustainability presents a flexible tool to increase restoration cost-effectiveness by up to eight times, considering multiple criteria such as biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. The study identifies optimal priority areas for restoration, showcasing the potential of spati...
Researchers have discovered that dynamic stall at high speeds is characterized by tiny flow structures within a vortex, making it difficult to control. By understanding these turbulent fluctuations, they aim to develop ways to interact with and control the flow field, potentially leading to improved aircraft performance.
A recent study suggests that black men diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer (Gleason score 6) may have a more aggressive form of the disease, leading to higher mortality rates compared to non-black men. The research found a significant disparity in prostate cancer death rates between black and non-black patients with Gleason 6 cancers.
A recent study found that moderate to severe loneliness persists across the adult lifespan, particularly during late-20s, mid-50s, and late-80s. However, researchers also discovered a strong inverse association between wisdom and loneliness, suggesting that wiser individuals are less lonely. The study highlights the need for solutions ...
A recent study by Chinese researchers reveals that horizontal heat flux in the mixed layer is crucial for extreme heat events. The analysis of a 2015 heatwave found that this factor, combined with sensible heat flux, drove high temperatures.
A promising compound discovered by Swiss TPH researchers is highly effective against Buruli ulcer, both in vitro and in vivo. The study found that compound Q203 has an activity level exceeding the current most active antibiotic rifampicin, potentially leading to a shorter treatment regimen with fewer adverse side effects.
Researchers created a predictive model to identify inhibitors of the multi-drug resistance associated protein-2 efflux transporter, achieving prediction accuracy of up to 0.79. The support vector machine model built on selected features showed the best performance.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet analyzed 3.8 million live-born children and found that approximately 1 out of 105 children with severe growth restriction died before age 18, compared to 1 in 202 for moderate growth restriction and 1 in 289 for normal development.
Targeting chemical signals between the gut and brain may lead to a new treatment for obesity by disrupting nerve cells that send messages about food intake. Researchers found that nitric oxide reduces sensitivity of nerves, leading to increased food consumption in obese mice.
Researchers will assess bone strength and nutrition among men and women in the Boston area to develop interventions for preventing bone loss and fracture risk. The study aims to provide insight into the impact of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on bone health.
Researchers have identified a novel form of inflammatory regulation that increases response to painful stimuli. A protein fragment, ARD, plays a key role in this process, increasing PI3K activity and sensitizing pain receptors.
Researchers discovered that some bacteria use multi-component flagella to manoeuvre out of small spaces, enabling them to escape and infect. The study's findings could lead to the development of new methods to block the transmission of harmful infections.
Seismic activity near Oroville Dam was related to reservoir discharge altering pressure on underlying rock fractures, causing them to open and close. The events occurred for decades prior to the dam's spillway failure and continued after it.
Researchers describe the full annual life cycle of a dragonfly in the Western hemisphere for the first time, using citizen science and chemical analysis. The common green darner migrates north in spring, south in fall, and has a wingspan of just 7.5 cm but covers an average of over 600 km.
Scientists developed a technique to integrate single-crystal hybrid perovskites into electronics, enabling flexible devices with reduced manufacturing costs. The advance opens new research avenues for applications in solar cells, LEDs, and photodetectors.
Scientists discovered modifications in a sodium transporter gene, HKT1;1, which enable plants to adapt to varying soil salinity. The study used genomic analysis and sequencing techniques to reveal genetic variations that improve osmotic adjustment and prevent salt toxicity.
Researchers found that tilled fields had smaller ant nests, which consume fewer weed seeds, while no-till fields had more evenly distributed ant nests. This suggests that preserving ant colonies by reducing tillage could benefit farmers in managing weeds.
New research finds that ocean acidification from carbon emissions can alter coho salmon's processing and response to smells, affecting their ability to detect predators and navigate. This study highlights the potential consequences of climate change on salmon populations.