The study uses DNA sequence data to analyze the evolution of testes in mammals, finding that African species lack the testicular descent process due to non-functional genes. This suggests that the testicular descent process was ancestral and lost in these species.
A recent study reveals that giant panda conservation provides significant ecosystem services, including provisioning, regulation, and cultural benefits, worth ~ $2.6-6.9 billion annually. The cost-benefit ratio is approximately 10-27 times the conservation investment, highlighting the value of investing in panda conservation.
MIT engineers developed a simple, low-cost passive prosthetic foot that can be tailored to an individual's body weight and size, allowing for a more natural gait. The custom-designed prostheses use a design framework that predicts a user's biomechanical performance based on the mechanical design of the prosthetic foot.
A team at TU Wien has uncovered the mystery behind water molecule structures on iron oxide surfaces, revealing complex bridge-like structures that play a significant role in chemical reactions. These findings have wide-ranging implications for processes such as corrosion and catalyst function, and pave the way for further research into...
Researchers link abnormal TOR activity to oxidative stress and degeneration in both muscle cells and neurons. This discovery has broad implications for understanding diseases such as Alzheimer's, cancer, and HSP, and may lead to new therapeutic targets.
A recent study at Boston Children's Hospital found that parents of children with learning disabilities experience significantly more stress and anxiety related to academics, affecting their quality of life. The study reveals a dramatic difference in the impact on families compared to general education groups.
A Penn Medicine team discovered that tumor heterogeneity, regulated by genes specific to each tumor, determines whether a tumor is hot or cold. This understanding could help oncologists tailor treatments to a patient's unique tumor composition.
Researchers have discovered volcanic activity beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, which could impact ice-sheet melting and sea level rise. The finding suggests that terrestrial ice on the continent may be more resilient to current carbon-dioxide levels than previously thought.
FoodSwitch, a new mobile app, uses crowdsourced data to rate the nutritional value of packaged foods and suggest better alternatives. Users can scan barcodes, compare products, and contribute to the database, helping track the global food supply's healthiness.
A new species of sheet-web-building spider, Islandiana lewisi, has been discovered in a southern Indiana cave. The tiny spider is thought to feed on small arthropods and is the fifth known species to live exclusively in caves.
Researchers have developed a new approach to invisibility cloaking based on manipulating light frequency, making objects invisible under broadband illumination. This technology could be used for secure data transmissions, sensing, and telecommunications.
A Northwestern University study found that climate change can push mason bees to their physiological limits, leading to high mortality rates and potentially driving local extinction. Bees in warmer environments emerged later, had smaller bodies, and lower body fat, making it harder for them to reproduce.
A study of over 2,500 adults found that visual impairment is strongly associated with cognitive decline. Maintaining good vision through prevention and treatment may help reduce age-related cognitive changes.
Researchers discovered that biological soil crusts, composed of microorganisms thriving in extreme conditions, may have contributed significantly to establishing the nitrogen cycle essential for life. This new understanding shifts the focus from oceanic microbes and provides a fresh perspective on the early Earth's history.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital developed a rapid, deployable, low-cost diagnostic test for Zika using mobile health technologies, targeting resource-limited settings and home testing for couples trying to conceive
A new clinical trial tests a medication blocking ghrelin levels in patients with alcohol use disorder. Researchers found a statistically significant reduction in craving and food cravings in 12 patient volunteers. The study aims to further assess the drug's efficacy in a larger placebo-controlled trial.
A systematic review found that patients with continuity of care have significantly lower death rates, regardless of specialist or family doctor. The study analysed 22 high-quality studies from nine countries and found an effect across different cultures.
A recent study suggests that Mars' river networks were shaped by superficial run-off of rainwater, contradicting previous hypotheses about groundwater seepage. The researchers found similarities in the branching angles of Martian valleys with those in arid landscapes on Earth.
Researchers have developed a new system using ultraflexible mesh electronics to track the firing patterns of dozens of retinal cells chronically in awake animals. This allows for new insights into how retinal ganglion cells behave over multiple circadian cycles, revealing dramatic changes in cell activity at different times of day.
Computer scientists at Harvard SEAS developed a new algorithm that exponentially speeds up computation by reducing parallel steps required to reach a solution. The algorithm samples directions in parallel and discards low-value directions, enabling real-world summarization processes to be developed at unprecedented scale.
A large population-based study found that cataract surgery is associated with a modest decrease in the risk of being involved in a serious traffic crash. The study analyzed data from 559,546 patients who underwent cataract surgery between 2006 and 2016.
A study found that women with a bachelor's degree and men who knew someone at high risk for the virus were more likely to have knowledge or concerns about Zika. Targeted prevention interventions by gender and education level can effectively educate the public.
The Black Beauty meteorite contains rare zircon with high hafnium levels, providing a temporal framework for Martian crust formation. This study suggests that Mars had a solid crust within 20 million years of solar system formation, potentially hosting oceans and life.
A new study by Queen Mary University of London found that 58% of online video piracy is concentrated in just two locations, making them susceptible to detection by copyright enforcers. The research also revealed a global network of streaming cyberlockers and third-party indexing services facilitating piracy.
Researchers identified four TRAF7 mutations in seven patients with a similar multisystem disorder, associated with developmental delay, congenital heart defects and limb anomalies. The mutations reduced ERK1/2 pathway activity, suggesting a possible genetic link to the condition.
The study analyzed 71 placental mammalian species and found that the genes RXFP2 and INSL3 were either lost or nonfunctional in four Afrotherian species, indicating a more recent origin of testicular retention. This suggests that molecular vestiges can be used to reconstruct evolutionary changes in body parts.
Rockfalls from iconic landmarks like Half Dome and El Capitan pose a significant risk to park visitors. A new study uses rapid 3D analysis to pinpoint rockfall locations, dimensions, and volumes, enabling more accurate assessments and quicker decision-making for park managers.
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and University of Minnesota have developed a new CAR-T immunotherapy using natural killer cells engineered from human induced pluripotent stem cells. These cells demonstrated heightened activity against ovarian cancer with less toxicity, offering potential advantages ...
A study found that educational interventions significantly increased sunscreen use and decreased reported sunburns among operating engineers. The interventions resulted in a 38% decrease in never wearing sunscreen and an 18.6-5.8% reduction in reported sunburns.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin found that empathetic police officers who feel undervalued perform poorly in their duties. In contrast, conservative officers with punitive approaches to justice tend to maintain high performance levels despite public criticism. Policymakers are urged to address the issue by implementi...
Researchers at Salk Institute discovered a hierarchical system in the brain that organizes learned behavior, offering new insight into neurological diseases. The study found three levels of control in neuronal activity, providing potential therapeutic targets for disorders like Parkinson's disease and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
A study by Daniel Gilbert and colleagues found that as the prevalence of a problem is reduced, humans naturally redefine the problem itself. This can lead to missing the fact that the problem has been solved. The phenomenon was demonstrated in several experiments using different types of problems, including blue dots and faces.
Scientists led by Roland Wester have confirmed the presence of molecules in space using terahertz spectroscopy, a method that allows for accurate measurement of spectral lines. The study's findings provide new insights into the chemical composition of interstellar medium and may aid in detecting unknown species in space.
Researchers found that handwashing and house cleaning can effectively lower exposure to flame retardants, with a 43% decrease in Tris levels measured in urine after both interventions. The study's results support the EPA's recommendations for reducing exposure to these chemicals.
INTS13 is a master regulator of gene expression during monocytic differentiation, promoting lineage-specific genes and cell fate determination in hematopoiesis. Depletion of INTS13 disrupts monocytic/macrophagic gene activation, highlighting its indispensable role in monocytic maturation.
A recent study published in the journal Genetics found that the fungus Trichophyton rubrum exhibits asexual reproduction as its primary method of reproduction. The research suggests that mating between individuals is rare and requires highly specific conditions, resulting in low genetic variability within the population.
A recent study reveals that giant panda conservation has a substantial economic value, with estimates suggesting the reserves provide $2.6-6.9 billion per year in ecosystem services. The research suggests that expanding these reserves and investments in natural capital could be a worthwhile strategy for conservation.
A new paper highlights physicians' important role in evaluating refugees' claims of torture and persecution to bolster their asylum cases. Forensic exams have been shown to increase approval rates to 89% compared to 37.5% for all asylum seekers nationally.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that only 22% of American youths who received treatment for anxiety disorders stayed anxiety-free over a six-year period. The study also revealed that 30% remained chronically ill and 48% relapsed, highlighting the need for more dur...
Researchers at University of Oregon and Oregon State University found that biocompatible gold nanoparticles and surfactants become toxic when combined in a synergistic way, causing 88% mortality rate in zebrafish embryos. The study's new delivery system could serve as an early screening method to detect toxicity and ensure product safety.
Young scientists Anne-Marie Valente-Feliciano, Anselm Vossen, and Raul Briceño receive grants to support their research on building better accelerators and studying subatomic particle interactions. They will utilize Jefferson Lab's upgraded accelerator and supercomputers to advance our understanding of particle physics.
A new study found that 62% of armadillos in the Brazilian Amazon are infected with M. leprae, the bacteria causing leprosy. Residents who consume armadillo meat have higher levels of leprosy antibodies, highlighting the risk of transmission.
A new study using satellite data found that global rivers and streams cover about 773,000 km2 of the non-glaciated land surface, a 44% increase over previous estimates. The increased coverage suggests large-scale impacts of human modification on river networks in developed regions.
A study by Sapienza University of Rome found that children of same-sex parents had fewer reported difficulties and normal scores in psychological adjustment compared to children of different-sex parents. Family functioning, particularly for gay fathers, was also better among same-sex parents.
A new study by University of Kansas researchers reveals that public concern over terrorist attacks is driven by perceived identities of victims and locations where the attacks occurred. The study found that people tend to impute characteristics of victims based on their country of origin, which influences their perception of threat.
Researchers found evidence of coalitional play fighting among hunter-gatherer societies, suggesting it was a universal feature of human psychology. This type of play involved coordinated action and non-lethal physical force, mirroring skills used in lethal raiding.
Researchers used Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its mutants to study cheating behavior in bacteria, revealing that manipulating social interactions can prevent population collapse. The team created a mathematical model to predict how to change stable interactions among cheaters and cooperators.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered a built-in molecular brake on human cell division that ensures two complete copies of DNA before cell division, preventing DNA damage and cancer. This process restricts growth to prevent lethal diseases like cancer.
Researchers developed a non-invasive method to measure arterial stiffness and peripheral arterial tone in adolescents aged 16-19. The study found that aortic pulse wave velocity is highly reproducible but augmentation index shows poorer reproducibility, especially among those with higher fitness levels or lower body fat.
New study by Drexel University researchers suggests that tau protein allows microtubules to grow and remain dynamic. This challenges the widely-held theory that tau stabilizes microtubules, which is critical for cognitive function.
Researchers have recalculated global river and stream surface area, finding it's about 45 percent greater than previous estimates. This increase has significant implications for understanding greenhouse gas emissions from rivers and streams.
Researchers warn that online games with loot boxes and microtransactions can lead to endless spending behaviors and psychological entrapment. The authors call these schemes 'predatory monetisation', encouraging repeated spending using tactics that may involve limited disclosure of the product.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging's 65th Annual Meeting showcased advancements in theranostics, quantitative nuclear imaging, and multimodality molecular imaging. Key findings include improved diagnostic accuracy and treatment options for various diseases, highlighting the potential for precision health.
Researchers have identified a new gene-activation pathway caused by lipids associated with coronary artery disease, which could help identify new directions in research and drug development. The study found that exposure to lipids activates the MTHFD2 gene in the walls of blood vessels.
Researchers at Emory University have discovered that GluN2C is rarely paired with another subunit, challenging current understanding of NMDA receptors. This finding has implications for developing treatments for diseases such as schizophrenia and treatment-resistant depression.
Researchers tested a new approach to caring for people with multiple long-term conditions, which aimed to improve health-related quality of life and patient experience. The '3D' approach simplified complex drug treatment and considered mental health, but showed no improvement in quality of life, challenging current UK guidelines.
Researchers recorded atomic-level details of gold melting after laser heating, gaining clues for designing materials that can withstand extreme temperatures and radiation. The study's findings have potential applications in fusion power reactors, steel processing plants, and spacecraft.
Researchers identified adventitial CD90+ and mesenchymal stem cells in human arteries for the first time, providing a clear link to vascular diseases like coronary artery disease. These cells appear to play a key role in mediating vascular diseases.
A new study found Indonesia's life expectancy increased by eight years between 1990 and 2016, but non-communicable diseases have dramatically risen. The 'double burden' poses significant health challenges, with heart disease, diabetes, and injuries taking a toll on the population.
Researchers have identified a DNA-level biomarker, MGMT promoter methylation, as an independent prognostic marker of high-risk, low-grade glioma in patients treated with temozolomide and radiotherapy. This biomarker can predict patient outcomes, with patients having methylated tumors showing improved survival rates.