Researchers at Osaka University have developed a novel catalytic system to split water and make hydrogen using normal sunlight. The new catalyst combines nanostructured black phosphorus for water reduction and bismuth vanadate for water oxidation, achieving an ideal 2:1 ratio of hydrogen and oxygen production.
Researchers discovered significantly smaller eyes and tails in fish from coral reefs subjected to intense commercial shark fishing, highlighting the impact of human-driven shark declines on marine ecosystems. This finding underscores the urgent need to understand the consequences of shark removals on ecosystem dynamics.
A national survey found that healthy and wealthy Americans dominate the market for mobile phone apps tracking sleep habits, with 28% of users reporting regular usage. The study suggests that these apps may offer a way to diagnose and treat sleep problems more effectively, but their value remains unclear.
Researchers used brain imaging techniques to study how infants process touch, finding that 7-month-old babies have a basic connection between 'self' and 'other.' This connection allows them to imitate and learn from others, and eventually develop empathy.
A study of 54,446 people found that obesity significantly increases the risk of suffering from both cancer and heart disease. Women are particularly vulnerable, with a 12 times greater risk of cancer and 5 times higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to those with a normal weight.
A study published in JAMA found that bariatric surgery prolongs lifespan in obese individuals, with a 50% lower death rate compared to traditional medical treatment. The study tracked 33,540 obese individuals for up to 10 years and revealed that women have the majority of bariatric surgery.
A recent study has identified over 2,000 regulatory regions involved in learning that are strongly associated with autism. The research team found a genetic mutation linked to increased risk of developing autism in one of these regions, offering a promising new approach to diagnosis and treatment.
A team of researchers has devised a decoy molecule to disrupt the inception and persistence of pain memories. The RNA-based medicine reduces pain-associated behaviors by blocking the creation of pain-signaling proteins.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that cognitive training improved memory scores by 35-40% in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, with benefits lasting six months. The training program, MEMO, also showed promise against dementia and depression.
Researchers identified G-CSF as a key player in the development of cocaine addiction, altering mice's desire for the drug but not other rewards. Manipulating G-CSF in the brain's reward center could reduce addiction-like behaviors, paving the way for new treatments.
The largest X-ray galaxy cluster ever discovered contains the mass of three million billion suns and is composed of two colliding clusters, with most mass hidden in dark matter. Hubble's observations also show that the hot gas is being torn from the dark matter during the collision.
Researchers have discovered a new material that slows down the decay of hot electrons in solar cells, allowing for more energy to be harvested. This could lead to a significant increase in solar cell efficiency, from 33% to 66%, and make a major contribution to providing clean and sustainable energy.
A retrospective cohort study found that women diagnosed with GDM have a significantly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension. The study highlights the importance of targeted risk factor management to improve long-term metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes.
A retrospective cohort study found that bariatric surgery is associated with a lower risk of death from any cause compared to nonsurgical obesity management. The study analyzed data from over 8,000 patients who underwent weight-loss surgery and 25,000 who received nonsurgical care.
ViLim Ball technology created by Lithuanian startup company Fidens helps reduce uncontrollable shaking hands and morning stiffness associated with essential tremor and rheumatoid arthritis. The device is effective in 7 out of 10 cases and has been tested with human subjects.
In southeastern Alaska, brown and black bears are the primary seed dispersers of berry-producing shrubs. Bears disperse approximately 200,000 devil's club seeds per square kilometer per hour through their scat. This discovery challenges long-held assumptions about bird involvement in seed dispersal.
Researchers confirmed a mechanistic link between HSD17B4 and treatment-resistant prostate cancer. The study found that men lacking a specific isoform of the gene are more susceptible to aggressive prostate cancer.
Researchers found that fish living downstream from sewage treatment plants must work at least 30% harder just to survive due to the presence of pharmaceuticals and other contaminants. This increased metabolic rate reduces their energy for vital functions such as movement, evading predators, and reproduction.
Researchers at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center are studying the mechanisms behind cell-size control in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a unicellular green alga. The study aims to gain insights into how cell division is controlled in more complex organisms where it's harder to study the impacts of noise on cellular decision making.
A new study published in Child Development suggests that bilingualism may increase cognitive flexibility in kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Bilingual children with ASD outperformed their monolingual peers in shifting tasks, indicating a potential benefit of language exposure on executive functions.
A national survey of over 700 adults who helped manage common chronic illnesses found that many wish they could understand their loved one's condition better or get more involved in their care. However, health providers often fail to inform them or involve them in decisions, despite the potential benefits for patient success.
A study of 8947 African American and White students found that a non-discriminatory school climate and increased teacher diversity are associated with lower delinquent behavior scores. Perceived peer inclusion surprisingly increases delinquent behavior, highlighting the need for programs to incentivize teachers of color.
UConn researchers have created a biodegradable pressure sensor that can be implanted in the body to monitor conditions like chronic lung disease and swelling of the brain. The sensor emits a small electrical charge when pressure is applied, allowing for non-invasive monitoring and potential treatment via electrical stimulation.
A new carbon-based nanocomposite with embedded metal ions has shown impressive performance as a catalyst for electrolysis of water to generate hydrogen. The material's high catalytic activity and stability could lead to low-cost and efficient hydrogen production, a key step towards clean fuel.
Researchers found a link between PD-L1 expression in antigen presenting cells and clinical response to treatment in melanoma and ovarian cancer patients. This suggests that current biomarkers, such as tumor PD-L1 expression, may not be reliable indicators of immunotherapy efficacy.
A randomized controlled trial found that systematic bright light exposure improved sleep efficiency and self-reported sleep quality in fatigued cancer survivors. The intervention showed significant effects compared to dim light exposure.
A recent study at Tampere University found that an eNose can identify the most common bacteria causing soft tissue infections without prior sample preparation. The device differentiates between MRSA and MSSA with high accuracy, reducing treatment times and costs.
A study published in Seismological Research Letters found no correlation between great earthquake rates and lunar phases or day of the year. Large earthquakes were matched with lunar phase and day data to rule out random patterns, and no significant effects were detected.
Researchers found that resource-rich environments cause people to favor short-term relationships, leading to a 16% increase in preferences for short-term partnerships. Human behavior is influenced by environmental cues, and this study demonstrates the adaptability of relationship preferences in response to changing circumstances.
The HLF gene plays a crucial role in maintaining blood stem cells in a resting state, protecting them from exhaustion and external damage. This study provides new insights into the regulation of blood stem cell activity and its potential applications in bone marrow transplants.
A study by Marty Williams found that workhorse sweet corn hybrids consistently perform well across ideal and less-than-ideal growing conditions, making them a better choice for processors. The research suggests that the 'workhorse' hybrid is preferred over the 'racehorse' due to its stability in variable weather conditions.
Research reveals more than two thirds of central and northern Europe were once covered by trees, now down to a third. New forest initiatives may mitigate habitat change using ecological approaches and traditional farming practices.
A newly discovered dinosaur fossil from China contains evidence that a tiny bird-like dinosaur may have used its flashy neck feathers and a bony crest on its snout to attract mates. The discovery provides the earliest evidence of iridescence in dinosaurs, which is similar to that found in hummingbird species today.
A new study from Duke University Medical Center found that pregnant women in North Carolina experienced reduced secondhand smoke exposure since the passage of the 'smoking ban' in 2009. Despite overall reductions, racial and socioeconomic disparities persisted among African-American, unmarried, and less-educated women.
A high-salt diet reduces resting blood flow to the brain and causes dementia in mice, according to a new study. The study found that mice fed a high-salt diet developed dementia even when blood pressure did not rise, suggesting a direct link between salt intake and cognitive impairment.
A study of 6.7 million patients found postoperative mortality increased gradually as the day of surgery approached the weekend. The odds of death were 12% higher for Thursday operations and 24% higher for Friday operations compared to Monday operations.
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has announced support for 28 groundbreaking research projects, ranging from autonomous vehicles to energy storage and healthcare technology. These projects have the potential to make a transformative impact in various fields.
Researchers at KAUST and TUM have successfully identified and characterized an enzyme from a brine pool in the Red Sea, which shows promising characteristics for commercial use. The study uses single-amplified genomes to produce proteins and provides a roadmap for mining molecular riches of extreme environments.
A study led by University of Utah researcher Lee Raby found that children who experience abuse and neglect early in life are more likely to struggle with social relationships and underachieve academically as adults. The study, published in Child Development, suggests that maltreatment's effects can persist from childhood through adoles...
Researchers at Clemson University aim to fortify computers and devices against cyberattacks using GPS spoofing, with potential effects on cell phones, power grids, and scientific data. The team plans to create a secure timing solution by securing GPS receivers and Network Time Protocol.
Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation found that genome architecture influences gene expression during cell reprogramming. The study reveals that transcription factors promote chromatin changes before gene activation, suggesting a new role in controlling cell fate.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have identified a new therapeutic target for melanoma, G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), which shows promise in combination with anti-PD-1 inhibitors. Activation of GPER may explain why women who have been pregnant have better survival outcomes when facing deadly skin cancer.
Researchers used AI-powered image analysis to help diagnose GPI anchor deficiencies, a group of rare diseases affecting mental retardation and distinctive facial features. The study suggests that computer-aided evaluation of patient portraits can facilitate improved diagnosis and potentially be applied to other diseases.
Tropical Cyclone Berguitta is moving southwest towards Mauritius with sustained winds of 85 knots. The storm's strength is expected to be maintained over the next day and a half due to warm sea surface temperatures.
Obese adults with type 2 diabetes who underwent gastric bypass surgery showed improved blood sugar control, cholesterol management, and reduced blood pressure after five years. However, the improvement in achieving these targets diminished over time, suggesting that longer follow-up is needed to understand the persistent benefits of we...
A new study by USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics found that doctors' offices are the main source of prescription opioids, accounting for 83% of prescriptions in 2012. This contrasts with emergency departments, which accounted for only 4.4% of opioid prescriptions during the same period.
A study published in Pediatrics found that black children are more than twice as likely to die after surgery, with increased risks of ventilator use, oxygen support, and wound infections. The authors developed race-specific models to predict surgical outcomes and suggest interventions to reduce mortality rates
Researchers at Children's National Hospital have developed T-cells that can resist tumor-induced immune suppression, leading to sustained clinical responses in patients with relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma. The study shows promise for treating other types of immune-evading tumors.
A study of 575 older adults reveals that those with stronger physical abilities, such as faster walking speeds and better balance, have lower risk of death and shorter hospital stays. These findings suggest that pre-hospital strength can be an important predictor of outcomes in critically ill older adults.
Shale gas ranks seventh out of nine electricity options due to its significant environmental and social impacts. To become a more sustainable option, large improvements are needed, including reducing environmental impacts by 329-fold and increasing employment by 16 times.
The new laboratory will focus on advancing understanding in areas including number theory, mathematical analysis, biomathematics and financial mathematics. It represents the highest level of collaboration between French and UK mathematics communities.
Researchers have developed nanostructured surface coatings with anti-fouling properties without using toxic components, reducing costs for the aquaculture and shipping industries. The new materials utilize 'nanowrinkles' inspired by carnivorous plants to create slippery surfaces that prevent marine biofouling.
A study of over 1,200 women found that longer duration of breastfeeding was associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. The study, which followed participants for 30 years, used laboratory testing to screen for diabetes and found greater reductions in risk for mothers who breastfed for longer periods.
A 30-year study by Kaiser Permanente found that breastfeeding duration is associated with a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Women who breastfed for six months or more had a 47 percent reduction in their risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who did not breastfeed at all.
Researchers have found a new mechanism of immunotherapy resistance that appears to be reversible, potentially enhancing the effect of current therapies. The approach targets a signaling pathway within the tumor microenvironment, which is manipulated by melanomas to silence dendritic cells.
A study in mice suggests that West Nile virus infection can lead to persistent neurological problems due to unresolved inflammation. Targeting this inflammation with an arthritis drug may prevent some of these problems with memory.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a faster method for manufacturing 'heart-on-a-chip', allowing for quicker testing of new drugs on engineered human heart tissue. This new approach aims to reduce cardiac toxicity and improve the predictability of drug effects, paving the way for safer clinical trials.
Researchers from Brazil, China, and Italy developed a model to map the phases of coesite formation, a polymorph of silica that occurs under high pressure. The study uses atomic computer simulation to describe the interactions among atoms and the transformations resulting from pressure changes.
The researchers have designed non-planar vertical semiconductor fin-like structures that are laterally interconnected to form wavy transistor arrays. This design widens the transistors by 70% without expanding their occupied pixel area, doubling the transistor performance.
A new method using sunlight to split atmospheric nitrogen molecules could drastically cut the energy needed for fertilizer production. Researchers at Princeton University used computer simulations to model light's behavior in tiny structures made from gold and molybdenum, which concentrates light energy to boost a catalyst's power.