A new composite material enables electrochemical water splitting into hydrogen and oxygen without emissions. The catalyst uses cobalt, nickel oxide, and gold nanoparticles to produce cheap, clean hydrogen for fuel cells. This innovation has the potential to store renewable energy on a large scale.
The study found that transferring an electric charge equivalent to 0.4 electrons from Pd to MOFs enables electron bands in Pd nanocubes to store more hydrogen, resulting in doubled storage capacity for hybrid materials. Hybrid materials with superior hydrogen storage properties or catalytic capabilities may be developed using this method.
A new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience Nursing found that hospital-wide scores significantly underestimate readmission risk in neurocritical care patients. The study used data from 279 patients and found that only 38 were readmitted within 30 days, but nearly two-thirds were misclassified as low-risk using existing models.
Mayo Clinic researchers find that viruses can hijack the ADAR1 enzyme to avoid immune detection, but at a threshold of 1,000 double-stranded RNA molecules. This discovery offers hope for new antiviral therapies targeting ADAR1.
A new report by IIASA researchers reveals that climate change is causing millions of premature deaths globally due to air pollution, with older people in Europe and the East Mediterranean being particularly vulnerable to heatwaves. The study also finds that phasing out coal-use can significantly reduce pollution-related deaths.
A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism reveals weight cycling is associated with a higher risk of death. Conversely, weight loss from weight cycling can reduce diabetes risk in people with obesity.
A team of scientists has found a new way to explain the formation of Saturn's radiation belts, which challenges current theories on electron acceleration. They suggest that Z-mode waves are responsible for energizing electrons in the belt, rather than radial diffusion.
Scientists have discovered an ancient whale that lacked teeth and baleen, revealing a surprising intermediate step in the evolution of this innovative feeding strategy. The newly described fossil, Maiabalaena nesbittae, lived about 33 million years ago and likely had strong cheeks and a retractable tongue.
Researchers analyzed brain scans from hundreds of people with OCD, finding that brains get stuck in a loop of 'wrongness' and have trouble stopping repetitive behaviors. The study identifies specific brain areas and processes linked to OCD, setting the stage for new therapy targets.
Researchers developed nanoparticles that detect proteases produced by bacteria and immune cells, allowing for faster diagnosis of pneumonia. The sensors can indicate whether antibiotics are effective in treating the infection.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that fish constantly adjust their movements to optimize sensory input, a phenomenon also observed in humans. This discovery could lead to the development of smarter sensors in robots, enabling them to interact with their environment more effectively.
A new VA study found that women's attitudes towards becoming pregnant also play a role in their contraceptive use. Women who don't plan on getting pregnant but are open to the idea may be less likely to use birth control. The study, which analyzed data from 858 women veterans, suggests that routine assessment is needed to help women ma...
Researchers found that stimulating the lateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) improved mood in patients with moderate to severe depression. The study suggests that OFC stimulation may help individuals experience a naturally positive mood state, removing an impediment to positive mood common in people with depression.
Researchers simulated catastrophic environmental changes, leading to the extinction of all life. Co-extinctions amplify the effects of climate change, with a 5-6 degree warming globally enough to wipe out most life. This study warns humanity not to underestimate the impact of co-extinctions.
A new study reveals that liver macrophages do not contain infectious forms of HIV and are unlikely to replicate the infection on their own. The findings narrow potential treatment targets for HIV-infected people taking long-term antiretroviral therapy.
RePaint uses a combination of 3D printing and deep learning to authentically recreate paintings, regardless of lighting conditions. The system was tested on oil paintings and found to be more than four times more accurate than state-of-the-art physical models.
Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified ZFP64 as the single key to the cascade of events leading to mixed lineage leukemia (MLL), an aggressive blood cancer. Shutting down this protein may be a cure for MLL, which predominantly occurs in infants and is difficult to treat.
A Champalimaud Centre researcher will explore how social environment and spatial factors influence an insect's defensive strategy, shedding light on brain mechanisms that underlie behaviour. The grant will fund novel experiments using fruit fly models.
A new UBC study found that 55% of Canadians consider physical inactivity a serious public health concern. The social climate around physical activity is seen as a key factor in addressing the issue, with two-thirds believing it is both a private and public health matter.
A new approach to automate chemical synthesis has been developed, achieving yields and purities comparable to manual efforts. The robotic platform uses a conductivity sensor to outperform human vision in assembling molecules, with instructions that can be coded by users with little programming knowledge.
A new study by Etienne Danchin and colleagues found that female fruit flies learn mating preferences from others and copy them when choosing a mate. This social learning can produce and maintain local traditions for potentially thousands of generations, with significant evolutionary implications.
Researchers have successfully combined magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with proton beam cancer treatments, enabling targeted and healthy tissue-sparing therapy. The integration of real-time MR imaging with proton therapy aims to improve the precision and effectiveness of particle beam cancer treatments.
A new archaeological site in Tibet has pushed back the earliest known human habitation on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau by 20,000 years. The discovery of Nwya Devu provides crucial evidence of human occupation and evolution on the plateau.
Researchers identify silicon contamination in graphene, which has hindered its performance. By removing contamination, the material's full potential is revealed, doubling its performance and enabling the creation of high-capacity supercapacitors and sensitive humidity sensors.
A new combination of venetoclax with standard drugs azacitidine or decitabine has been granted accelerated approval for treating elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia. The trial showed a 67% overall response rate, with improved efficacy and tolerability compared to traditional hypomethylating agents.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals how the human myxovirus resistance 2 (MX2) protein blocks HIV-1 infection by inhibiting nuclear import of viral DNA. The findings suggest that TNPO1 and nucleoporins facilitate MX2 positioning at the nuclear envelope.
The European Research Council awarded €573 million in funding to 291 top mid-career researchers from 40 countries, with a focus on building teams and pursuing innovative ideas. The grants will support research projects across various domains, including physical sciences, life sciences, and social sciences.
Researchers discovered that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) sends messages to Antarctica, causing sudden changes in global climate conditions. The study found that a weakening AMOC could trigger abrupt climate shifts, affecting Asia's monsoons and carbon dioxide absorption.
Researchers used detailed dataset to identify factors causing speedup and slowdown of tidewater glacier, finding geometry of fjord bed plays critical role. The study may help predict how tidewater glaciers contribute to sea level rise.
Researchers emphasize the importance of treating and preventing HIV among men, citing gaps in care due to gender norms and stigma. Innovative approaches are being explored, including workplace testing and care, ART home delivery, and expanded diagnosis and treatment for men.
Researchers uncover evidence of early hominin presence in northern Africa, with chipped stones and cut bones dating back nearly 2 million years. The discovery, made at Ain Boucherit site in Algeria, suggests a rapid dispersal of stone tools out of East Africa.
Researchers from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg investigated the relationship between footballers' performance and market value in the German Bundesliga. They found that star players tend to be overvalued, while others are traded at below-market value. The study also highlights the impact of a club's reputation and commercia...
A four-year study will assess the effects of a specially-adapted yoga programme on quality of life and mental health in adults aged 65+, with participants randomly assigned to receive usual care or the yoga programme. The study aims to determine clinical and cost-effectiveness of yoga for this patient group.
A new study presents findings on the impact of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on cardiac function in women, suggesting that OSA may be underdiagnosed. Researchers analyzed data from over 4,000 participants to find increased left ventricular mass in both genders with OSA or snoring, highlighting earlier impairment in women.
A new study found that amphetamine and opioid use in pregnancy increased substantially over the last decade, particularly in rural counties. Amphetamine-affected births doubled, while the rate of opioid use quadrupled, resulting in higher risks of severe maternal morbidity and mortality.
A new study from King's College London found that breathlessness-focused services can significantly reduce patient distress and symptoms of depression. These holistic services, which combine palliative care and self-management strategies, empower patients to take control of their breathlessness and improve their quality of life.
The formation of secondary particulate matter in the atmosphere is still not fully understood. Alexander Vogel's research aims to identify its sources and improve air quality by analyzing molecular fingerprints from atmospheric samples.
A novel framework combines CNNs and geometric inference methods to compute sketches and their corresponding 3D shapes faster and more intuitively than existing methods. Novice users can create stylish contents for their 3D creations using the tool.
Researchers used genetically modified mice with a highly permeable blood-brain barrier to test whether prions in blood can enter the brain. Their results suggest that passage of prions through the blood-brain barrier may not be relevant to disease development. Instead, prions likely reach the brain by traveling along nerves.
A new study by Drexel University researchers found that while anti-vaccine bills increased nationwide between 2011 and 2017, pro-vaccine bills were more likely to be enacted into law. The majority of proposed legislation aimed to expand vaccine exemptions, but limited exemption laws were overwhelmingly passed.
A systematic review of functional nasal surgery found that 85% of patients experienced at least partial improvement in their headaches. The procedure targets 'contact points' within the nose and sinuses believed to trigger chronic headaches, resulting in reduced symptoms and improved quality of life.
The UK has seen a significant drop in twin stillbirth rates from 11 to six per thousand total births between 2013 and 2016. This decline is attributed to increased recognition of fetal risks in identical twins and improvements in clinical guidelines and in-utero treatments.
A new study using national data suggests that many research studies on LGBQ health risks may be inflated due to respondents providing extreme and untruthful answers. Removing potentially mischievous respondents reduced estimated disparities in drug use, suicide attempts, and other outcomes.
A reconciliation ceremony between the Kwaio community and Australian scientists has set a foundation for peace, collaborative research, and healing of historical trauma. The partnership, which began in 2015, involves the protection of Kwaio land for research and conservation entities, emphasizing local cultural processes.
A comprehensive study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that older adults prefer exercising outdoors, especially walking, and engaging with others. The study also identified characteristics such as memory loss and low education level that increase the likelihood of dropout from a training program.
A new study has discovered a promising approach to significantly lower doses of X-rays in 3D medical imaging, making it cheaper and safer. The technique, known as ghost imaging, uses a sensor instead of an X-ray camera to create 3D images.
A new study by SF State biologists reveals that the distinctive 'horn-like' cephalic lobes of manta rays are actually modified fins, developed through a simple genetic tweak. The researchers found that the same Hox genes guiding fin development in related species also shape the horns in manta rays.
Researchers at UIC aim to recreate Titan's oceanic conditions in a laboratory growth chamber to detect potential biosignatures of life on the moon. They plan to grow microorganisms under high pressure and extreme cold to identify characteristic chemical and biological signatures.
Researchers have pinpointed details of a signal that enables parasites to change form and be transmitted by flies, offering a new way to tackle the disease. Disrupting this process with drugs could limit drug resistance and provide a treatment option.
A recent study reveals that a species of jumping spider provides milk to its offspring, similar to mammalian lactation. The researchers observed that the mother continued to care for her young even after they could forage for themselves, resulting in a high adult survival rate and normal body size.
Scientists have identified a 'bottleneck' in the brain's speech perception mechanism, revealing how it processes language in noisy environments. The study found that the brain recognizes phonetic sounds and transitions to linguistic information in under 10ms.
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers develop a material that can transition from an insulator to a conductor without changing its atomic structure, enabling faster switching speeds in advanced devices. The breakthrough uses a dual-layer sandwich structure to stabilize the material's unique properties.
Researchers developed software that uses physics of cloud formation to create more lifelike images. The technique allows for more control over particle arrangement, enabling a wider range of artistic options and a more accurate depiction of real-world physics.
Researchers have developed a prosthetic arm that can detect and replicate phantom limb movements, revolutionizing amputee rehabilitation. The device uses muscle activity generated by mobilization of the phantom limb to achieve precise control, allowing patients to interact with their prostheses without extensive training or surgery.
The Camden Opioid Research Initiative will investigate the genetic and biological factors that contribute to opioid use disorder, using a three-pronged approach with biobank samples and studies on chronic pain patients and medication-assisted treatment. The goal is to develop new treatments and prevent overdose deaths in New Jersey.
A new study by American Society of Nephrology examined 281,233 patients with diabetes and CKD in 130 VA facilities. The findings point to areas where care might be improved and standardized among facilities.
Researchers at Mainz University Medical Center discovered a new signal pathway employed by skin cancer cells to evade the immune system. The ICER protein plays a significant role in this process, leading to rapid tumor growth and inflammation.
A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that free-flap breast reconstruction has generally good outcomes in women aged 65 or older. While age was associated with increased risks, these complications were partly related to the higher rates of medical risk factors among older women.
Researchers have developed two new approaches to 3D imaging with X-rays, enabling unprecedented detail in disease-screening, materials development, and structural information of opaque objects. The methods, including ghost imaging and single-shot techniques, reduce X-ray doses and destroy samples, paving the way for cheaper, more readi...
Despite substantial progress, Europe still faces challenges in diagnosing HIV-positive individuals and providing antiretroviral therapy. The report highlights a significant gap between diagnosed cases and those receiving treatment, particularly in Eastern European countries.