Researchers develop a new male birth control pill by modifying ouabain, an African plant-based heart-stopping poison. The derivative binds strongly to α4 protein in sperm cells, interfering with fertilization. The compound has shown no toxicity in rats and may offer reversible contraception.
A recent study published in ACS' Journal of Proteome Research reveals that signaling molecules play a crucial role in mild concussions. The research provides insights into the mechanisms underlying brain injury and recovery, potentially leading to the development of new treatments for traumatic brain injuries.
Researchers found that population testing for multiple cancer genes is the most cost-effective strategy, preventing many more ovarian and breast cancers than current screening methods. This approach could save thousands of lives by reducing risk factors through enhanced screening, medical prevention, or risk-reducing surgery.
Scientists from Siberian Federal University and Nikolaev Institute of Inorganic Chemistry create active layers in hydrogen detectors using metal phthalocyanines and palladium membranes. This increases the sensor's sensitivity, enabling detection of hazardous gases and aiding in disease diagnosis. The researchers plan to further improve...
A recent paper explores how protein CK2 plays a key role in treating major depressive disorder. Manipulation of CK2 in the brain decreases depressive and anxious states through the 5-HT4 receptor.
Researchers developed ultra-thin memory storage device combining nanoscale memory and transistors, paving the way for advanced computing systems.
Researchers have developed a minimally invasive, cost-effective test to detect pre-cancerous Barrett's esophagus, which can help prevent esophageal adenocarcinoma. The test involves swallowing a pill-sized balloon that swabs the esophagus and is then tested for DNA abnormalities.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have found a way to enhance the conductivity of organic solar cells, enabling electrons to travel longer distances. This breakthrough could lead to the development of transparent solar cells that can be integrated into windows and other surfaces.
Barbara Dosher, UCI Distinguished Professor, receives the Atkinson Prize for her work on human memory, attention, and learning, while Etel Solingen is awarded the William & Katherine Estes Award for trailblazing research on nuclear proliferation.
Bigger trees in peat bogs indicate greater fire risk, as they shade out protective sphagnum moss and pull moisture from the ground. Researchers found that even small trees can pose a threat, with those just 5 metres tall posing the greatest danger.
Researchers at OIST have developed a simple way to create copper molecular wires of different lengths by adding or removing copper atoms one by a time. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of miniature computing devices and practical applications in microelectronics.
A 24-month clinical trial found that regular e-cigarette use does not have negative health effects on smokers. The study showed reduced nicotine withdrawal symptoms, lower exposure to cigarette smoke constituents, and no increase in body weight.
Researchers found that ancient methane from ocean sediments is being released into the ocean, but only a small amount survives to be emitted to the atmosphere. The study suggests that catastrophic emission of methane from degrading hydrates may not be an inherent outcome of climate change.
Researchers uncovered the origins of domesticated turkeys in ancient Mexico, finding they were valued for their cultural significance rather than just for meat. The study suggests a thriving turkey trade along Mesoamerica's expanding trade routes.
Scientists have mapped the temperature and viscosity of the lower crust for the first time, finding hot rocks under much of the western US that are near their initial melting point. This study suggests significant regions of the lower crust lack strength, potentially leading to mountains being flattened over millions of years.
Children's National Hospital researchers aim to develop a treatment using human stem cells to address hypoxia, which can severely impair brain development in infants born with CHD. The goal is to reverse or halt injury and promote neurogenesis in affected brains.
Researchers found that Antarctic fish can adapt to warmer waters but are unable to withstand both climate stressors simultaneously. The study suggests these fish must use their existing physiology, which is limited, to cope with the challenges.
A new study has revealed extensive lead contamination at recycling plants in seven African countries, with levels up to 48,000 ppm. The contamination poses significant health risks to nearby communities and children, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and emissions control measures.
A study covering 300 million years of evolutionary history found that only a few extinct animals developed tail weaponized features. The researchers identified four essential traits: large body size, armor, herbivory, and thoracic stiffness. These conditions are rarely seen in living animals, explaining the rarity of modern tail weaponry.
A European Society of Cardiology study found that nearly a quarter of patients with chronic ischaemic cardiovascular disease are dead or hospitalised within six months. The study identified factors such as older age, history of peripheral revascularisation and chronic kidney disease as strongly associated with high risk.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports challenges the scientific consensus on Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that neuronal loss is relatively limited. The research found minor declines in synaptic markers in patients' prefrontal cortices, which had little impact on cognitive skills.
The innovative technology splits sunlight into efficient light and repurposes infrared light for water purification, improving agricultural competitiveness and reducing energy costs in greenhouses. Researchers plan to test the material in pilot greenhouse facilities and expand its application to various crops.
A new study suggests that a widely used criminal risk assessment tool is no more accurate than untrained people in predicting recidivism. The researchers found that with fewer features, human predictions were just as accurate, and false positives were equally unfair to black defendants.
Researchers found that exposing hypocrisy is an effective method in reducing prejudice against Muslims, even months later. A study using real-world video clips and a technique to help people recognize their own hypocrisy showed significant reductions in collective blame of Muslims.
A study at Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that underrepresented minority (URM) trainees have increased in the biomedical sciences, but URM faculty remain scarce. The researchers identified two key points of loss: undergraduate education and postdoctoral fellowship to tenure-track faculty positions.
A study by the University of Illinois found that using the right blade is crucial for maximizing sugarcane harvesting. The researchers discovered that an angled blade caused the greatest damage to sugarcane stems and roots, while a serrated-edged blade reduced stem damage overall.
Astrophysicists have determined that the maximum mass of neutron stars cannot exceed 2.16 solar masses through a combination of theoretical and observational research. The result was achieved by applying universal relations to data on gravitational-wave signals and electromagnetic radiation from merging neutron star events.
Researchers found that most babies develop new skills in irregular bursts, while their brain activity grows steadily behind the scenes. This study supports long-standing theories about infant development and provides insight into what's happening beneath the surface.
Researchers have successfully implanted protons into iron-based superconductors, inducing bulk superconductivity with Tc at 20 K. Protonation also enhances Tc in FeS, overcoming the difficulty of lacking sensitive NMR isotopes.
Research published in The Journal of Physiology found that elderly people walk at a slower speed and tire more quickly due to muscle loss. Building up leg muscles may be the only way to improve elderly walking, according to the study's findings.
The California sea lion population has fully rebounded under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), reaching carrying capacity in 2008. The species' recovery reflects an important success for the MMPA, which recognized marine mammals as a central element of their ocean ecosystems.
After the Affordable Care Act eliminated cost sharing for screening mammograms, mammogram rates increased six percentage points among older women, according to a Brown University study. The study found that eliminating copayments led to an increase in their use and was concentrated among women with more education.
Scientists have shown that alternation of wet and dry conditions can drive the prebiotic synthesis of RNA nucleosides. The new experiments demonstrate a plausible route for the formation of these building blocks, which constitute the informational components of RNA.
The MDI Biological Laboratory has developed a new mobile phone app to help community organizations track and analyze crowd-sourced environmental data. The app, based on the Anecdata.org portal, allows citizen scientists to log data in the field and make it quick and easy to receive notifications and share observations.
A Stanford-led study found that even modest weight gain causes significant changes in the human microbiome, cardiovascular system, immune system, and gene expression. When participants lost the weight, most systems recalibrated back to normal states.
Chemically toughened glass is being explored for use in car windshields, providing strength and durability while reducing weight and cost. This new material has potential applications in wearable electronic devices, hurricane-resistant windows, and pharmaceutical vials.
A team of researchers has estimated the number of protein molecules in a simple cell for the first time, revealing around 42 million molecules. The study's findings provide insights into how cells control protein abundance and may help reveal molecular roots of disease.
A study led by Lounès Chikhi found that Bornean elephants are likely a natural colonization of the island, dating back around 11,400 to 18,300 years. The research team used genetic data analysis and computational modeling to shed light on the animals' past demographic history.
Researchers studying nervous system adaptation to ischemic damage hope to develop effective therapeutic strategies by understanding how neural networks function under stress. They have developed methods for modeling different phases of ischemia and studied the features of neural network operation under such effects.
KAIST researchers have developed a new technique to improve the chemical stability of electrode materials in solid oxide fuel cells. By employing a small amount of metals, they can extend the lifespan of these energy technology devices. This innovation has the potential to improve the long-term performance and durability of fuel cells.
A new report by Dr. Nav Persaud at St. Michael's Hospital suggests that the widely prescribed nausea medication Diclectin may not be effective in reducing symptoms for pregnant women. The report reanalyzes previously unpublished clinical trial data, which found a small symptom reduction of 0.7 points on a 13-point scale.
Researchers identified midbrain 'start neurons' that control locomotion speed and context-dependent behaviors. The study uses optogenetics to activate specific neuronal groups, revealing the complex role of the Cuneiform Nucleus and pedunculopontine nucleus in controlling locomotor movements.
A Lehigh team, backed by the Canadian government and philanthropic foundations, is developing test strips for women's health issues in rural Africa. The project aims to quickly diagnose urinary tract infections and prevent premature labor, low birth weight, or spontaneous abortion.
Researchers have identified a new precision medicine approach for metastatic pancreatic cancer, analyzing tumor RNA to match patients with targeted drugs. The approach has shown clinical responses in three of four patients, targeting 'master regulator proteins' responsible for cancer cell survival.
Scientists from Waseda University and others have successfully visualized the structure of heterochromatin using cryo-electron microscopy. The study sheds light on how heterochromatin regulates genes and its connection to various diseases, including cancer and virus infections.
Researchers created the largest publicly available chemical database of hair dye substances to develop new, safer hair colors. The database reveals promising approaches for reducing allergic reactions and cancer risk associated with permanent hair dyes.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that oxysterols stimulate specific immune cells to form lymphoid tissue in both health and disease. Oxysterols also contribute to chronic inflammation in ulcerative colitis, leading to tissue damage.
A new study found that most NIH grants awarded to pediatric researchers in the past five years have been limited to senior physicians at a few institutions. This downward trend in funding affects early-career physician-scientists, potentially hindering research discoveries and patient treatments.
The study tested a new combination of gemcitabine and sirolimus in patients with sarcomas, showing a 44% rate of patients free of progression at 3 months. Researchers believe the treatment's positive results warrant further evaluation in subsequent studies.
Researchers link oral health to cancer prevention via bacteria associated with periodontitis. Periodontitis may facilitate the spread of oral bacteria and their virulence factors to other parts of the body, contributing to cancer development.
Researchers at UNIST created a new type of underwater adhesive that is stronger than natural biological glues used by mussels. The hydrogel-based adhesive exhibits strong adhesion under wet conditions due to reversible interlocking between reconfigurable microhook arrays.
Researchers at UC Riverside have discovered a unique structure in the mantis shrimp's club that protects it from self-inflicted damage, enabling the development of ultra-strong materials. The club's striated region wraps around the club to prevent catastrophic cracking, similar to hand wraps used by boxers.
A study by McMaster University researchers found that people born during previous pandemics were at higher risk of dying during subsequent outbreaks. The analysis suggests exposure to pandemic influenza early in life may be a risk factor for mortality.
Researchers at Osaka University and The University of Tokyo describe the unique binding of RNF168 to lysine 63 chains, which is stabilized by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. This study provides insights into the molecular interactions that assure the recruitment of DNA repair proteins.
Research suggests that cervical dilatation during labor for vaginal births can progress more slowly than the widely accepted benchmark of 1 cm/hour in many women. Women giving birth to their first child and progressing at the slowest rates may take up to 7 hours to reach full dilation.
Researchers developed a therapeutic complex based on multi-layer polymer nano-structures of superoxide dismutase (SOD) to effectively rehabilitate patients after acute spinal injuries, strokes, and heart attacks. The substance can neutralize free radicals and reduce swelling, promoting faster recovery.
Despite previous mixed conclusions, a large-scale study by University of York researchers found no evidence to support the theory that violent video games make players more violent. The team tested over 3,000 participants with varying levels of gaming realism, including 'ragdoll physics', and discovered no priming effect on aggression.
LJI researchers reveal LIGHT, a tumor necrosis factor super family member, drives skin inflammation in atopic dermatitis. The discovery provides a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of severe eczema. Therapies blocking LIGHT signaling may halt disease symptoms and reverse symptoms.
A new study from WCS, Duke University, and the Centre for Wildlife Studies in India found that communities near Rajasthan wildlife reserves show a high tolerance for wildlife. Despite experiencing losses, 85% of respondents believed protecting wildlife was important.
Research by Anglia Ruskin University reveals female fiddler crabs prioritize accelerating courtship displays over constant or slowing ones. The findings suggest that females value males' quality based on their ability to perform demanding activities, conserving energy until necessary.