A research team led by Professor Byung-Chang Suh has observed the dynamic combination of alpha 1 and beta subunits in calcium channels, revealing competitive replacement and stability. This breakthrough enables precise control of calcium ion inflow inside cells and opens a new horizon for treating high blood pressure and brain diseases.
A new class of polymer matrices has been developed to improve the detection of metabolites and track chemicals of interest in studying cancer. This breakthrough enables researchers to explore more research questions and increases the flexibility of the MALDI imaging technique.
Researchers developed two new devices to mechanically stress human retinal cells, mimicking slow and continuous stress levels as well as high levels of stress. The study found that mechanical stress results in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, a protein linked to disease initiation and progression.
The partnership will boost the Chicago-area innovation ecosystem by providing a new model for manufacturing high-tech start-ups. Argonne scientists will utilize mHUB's expertise and resources in manufacturing and business modeling to support energy tech-related companies.
Researchers have created a new air-filled optical fiber bundle that can improve endoscopes used in medical procedures like minimally invasive surgeries. The technology allows for higher resolution images at double the wavelength range, enabling diagnostic procedures not possible with current endoscope technology.
Scientists have developed a new method and camera to measure the flow and speed of ash particles in volcanic plumes, which can help reduce the risks to human health and infrastructure. The camera, called AshCam, uses sunlight to identify ash particles and provides new insights into volcanic ash dynamics.
A landmark study published in JAMA found that brain cooling, a long-debated treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI), offers no benefits to patients. The POLAR trial involved 511 patients across six countries and showed that neither group had significantly better outcomes in terms of living independently after TBI recovery.
Dr. Johannes Fürst's new map provides a reliable estimate of the total ice volume in Svalbard, which is approximately one-third smaller than previously thought. The map also offers an associated error estimate, allowing researchers to calculate the uncertainty of glacier thickness measurements.
A study by RAND Corporation and American Medical Association found that physician practices struggle with data skills, financial risks, and administrative burdens. The report suggests a slower pace of change and design involvement in payment methods could improve engagement and patient care outcomes.
Researchers have identified three chemicals that could develop into a new type of anti-cold drug by analyzing changes in cellular fat molecules during the infection process. By studying lipids, the researchers found changes to prevent key virus replication and limited further infection.
The brain compensates for its own limitations by relying on previous experiences and using strategies such as Bayesian integration, which combines multiple pieces of information to reduce variability. In tasks requiring complex computation, the brain reduces noise by increasing confidence in its calculations.
A study published in The BMJ found that a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of stroke, regardless of genetic profile. Lifestyle factors such as not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight were associated with a lower risk of stroke.
Researchers have created a comprehensive summary of human cancer genes, known as the Cancer Gene Census. The resource catalogues over 700 genes involved in cancer and describes their functions across different types. This knowledge will help scientists find drug targets and design treatments tailored to individual cancers.
A study demonstrates that pulse wave velocity shows promise as a measurement to monitor blood pressure levels. Continuous, cuffless and non-invasive monitoring using wearable patches could provide an inexpensive option for patients with high blood pressure.
The dapivirine-levonorgestrel ring provided protection against HIV infection and unintended pregnancy for 90 days, with plasma concentrations of levonorgestrel consistent with those required for contraception. The ring was well-tolerated and showed promising results in its first clinical study.
Scientists have discovered a way to increase NAD+ levels in the kidney and liver by blocking an enzyme, ACMSD, which limits its production. This breakthrough has shown promise for treating liver and kidney diseases, with enhanced mitochondrial function and improved health outcomes.
A study found that children generally lose their first baby tooth at six years old, and their emotions range from joy to fear. Parents of children who lost a milk tooth reported mostly positive feelings, with those whose previous dental visits were cavity-related experiencing fewer positive emotions.
Scientists at NTU Singapore have engineered an antiviral peptide that exploits the Zika virus' viral membrane, reducing disease symptoms and deaths in infected mice. The peptide can cross the blood-brain barrier to tackle viral infection in mouse brains, a critical feature since Zika targets the brain and central nervous system.
A study of Russian cosmonauts reveals that space travel alters the brain's tissue volume, particularly in grey and cerebrospinal fluid areas. Changes persist for at least six months after returning to Earth, with potential implications for cognition and vision.
Researchers at Rice University have found a correlation between digital device use and the quality of first impressions. People who reported frequent media multitasking were more likely to be distracted by irrelevant information when making first impressions about someone they had never met.
A study by CNRS and researchers gathered 40 million moral dilemma responses from web users worldwide. The data revealed global moral preferences guiding decision makers, prioritizing human lives over animals, saving the largest number of lives, and protecting the youngest over older people.
A massive global survey on autonomous vehicle ethics found that people generally prefer sparing human lives over animal lives and young people's lives. However, regional variations were observed, particularly in the eastern cluster of countries where preference for younger people was less pronounced.
A study on elephant trunk behavior could lead to robot hand designs with flexible hands or grippers. Researchers found that elephants apply more force when picking up small particles due to the weakest link theory, allowing them to stabilize and grasp various-sized food items.
Researchers found a deep, rupturing subduction zone earthquake that defies existing models, indicating the need for reevaluation of hazard maps and building codes. The study suggests seawater infiltration may have accelerated cooling in the Cocos plate, making it susceptible to tension earthquakes.
Extracellular vesicles, or 'cellular dust', have shown therapeutic properties similar to stem cells without their disadvantages. These gel-like vesicles can be produced by a single donor for several patients and have demonstrated potential in repairing heart, liver, and kidney lesions.
A new clinical protocol called STOP Narcotics reduces post-operative opioid prescribing by 50%, while maintaining adequate pain control, and increases medication disposal. The study involved 416 patients undergoing general surgery and found significant reduction in opioid use and diversion.
Willa's surface circulation has dissipated over northeastern Mexico according to NOAA's GOES-West satellite data and surface observations. The remnants of the former hurricane are moving northeast at 28 mph with maximum sustained winds decreased to near 25 mph.
An international team of researchers has discovered ultra-confined infrared polaritons that propagate only in specific directions along thin slabs of molybdenum trioxide. The polaritons live for an exceptionally long time, up to 20 picoseconds, and could enable the development of more efficient nanophotonic devices.
A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that air pollution from ozone and fine particulate matter may be responsible for nine to 33 million emergency room visits globally. The research suggests that policies aimed at cleaning up the air can reduce the global burden of asthma.
Researchers found that half of the Spanish-speaking women did not receive letters in their native language, leading to confusion and misinterpretation of key messages. The study highlights the importance of culturally sensitive communication and timely follow-up for women with dense breasts.
Researchers developed a new dynamic model that quantitatively incorporates group behavior into individual decision-making, predicting the sensitivity of individuals to persuasion and deception. The model uses non-integer derivatives to compress the influence of groups into a single parameter.
A study found that male humpback whales reduce or cease singing in areas with high human shipping noise. The authors suggest that ceasing vocalization and moving away may be cost-effective adaptations to avoid the noise.
Researchers developed an antibody to block DKK3, which stimulated cancer growth and resistance to therapy. In a mouse study, the treatment significantly prolonged life and boosted immune cell infiltration.
A new $3.3 million grant will fund a high-resolution reference map of pancreatic cells to identify molecular changes leading to type 1 diabetes.
A new study provides the first survival estimates for small migratory birds crossing the Gulf of Mexico, revealing that fatter birds and stronger tailwinds significantly increase their chances of survival. By understanding these factors, conservation efforts can be implemented to improve birds' ability to cross the Gulf.
A new CAMH study found that nearly one in eight high school students played social casino games, which are linked with a higher risk of gambling problems among adolescents. The study also found that gameplay is associated with a greater likelihood of transitioning to monetary gambling and experiencing problem gambling.
Researchers have developed a new Cas9 enzyme that can target almost half of the genome's locations, significantly expanding its potential use. This could enable editing of many more disease-specific mutations, including those responsible for sickle cell anemia.
A phase III clinical trial found that palbociclib improves overall survival in women with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer. The drug, used in combination with standard treatment, led to a clinically meaningful improvement in median overall survival, even in patients who showed sensitivity to prior hormone therapy.
A new study suggests that a monthly vaginal ring releasing dapivirine, an antiretroviral drug, poses minimal risk of developing drug-resistant HIV. The research analyzed plasma samples from women who acquired HIV during the ASPIRE Phase III trial and found no cases of dapivirine-associated resistance.
A new computational model, PRYSM, has been developed to interpret climate data from lake sediments, revealing that lake temperature proxies underestimated air temperature changes. The model is designed to compare paleoclimate data with climate model simulations, aiming to improve interpretations of past climate changes.
Agricultural Research Service scientists have identified key genes and transcription factors in plants that allow them to direct nitrogen to their roots, shoots, flowers, and seed heads. This knowledge may enable the breeding of new plant varieties with improved nitrogen use efficiency.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new treatment that stimulates the body's cold and nicotinic receptors to improve metabolism, suppress appetite, and promote weight loss. The treatment, tested on mice, results in a 12% weight loss over 20 days.
The clean meat industry is struggling to scale up production and gain consumer acceptance, with challenges including product naming and labeling. Despite these hurdles, start-ups aim to capture a small percentage of the $1-trillion-per-year combined meat market.
Scientists discovered that extremely strong vibrations in the Earth allow rock to flow like a liquid for a crucial few minutes after impact. This 'acoustic fluidization' process enables the formation of mountainous ring structures within the crater's center.
Researchers at UMass Amherst used an eye-tracker to study jumping spiders and found that the principal eyes rely on an adjacent set of eyes, known as anterior lateral eyes, to track moving stimuli. This integration is unusual in the animal kingdom.
A recent study by Imperial College London suggests that the flu virus can develop resistance to favipiravir, a potential pandemic drug, if it undergoes two specific genetic mutations. This finding highlights the need for close monitoring and surveillance to prevent the emergence of resistant strains.
A team of scientists at McGill University Health Centre has identified the effective dose of cannabidiol (CBD) for safe pain relief without the risk of addiction or euphoria. The study found that low doses of CBD alleviate both pain and anxiety in animal models of chronic pain, offering a potential alternative to THC and opioids.
The SwRI team developed a fuel-saving orbital tour for a future Pluto orbiter, allowing it to explore the Kuiper Belt after surveying Pluto. The study also demonstrates an electric propulsion system can power the orbiter to fly to other Kuiper Belt objects.
A new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reports that most US adults do not engage in muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE), with nearly 60% doing no MSE at all. The investigation found that low-to-moderate frequency of MSE is linked to fewer reported health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and cancer.
Research associates higher cortisol levels with impaired memory and reduced brain volume in middle-aged adults. Cognitive data from the Framingham Heart Study found that morning cortisol levels predicted worse brain structure and cognition.
Research reveals that babies establish a healthy gut microbiome until around 2.5 years old, with breastfeeding playing a crucial role in early life. After weaning, the microbiome rapidly changes and becomes more stable, but the loss of beneficial bacteria can occur if breast milk is not available.
A new bacterial imaging probe has been shown to be safe for patient use and can detect deadly pneumonia infections in under 60 seconds. This technology uses chemical probes that light up when they attach to specific types of infectious bacteria, allowing for real-time detection and monitoring.
Researchers are developing sensing technologies to measure circadian rhythm in shift workers, exploring the impact on cognitive performance, productivity, and accidents. The goal is to provide personalized feedback to enhance users' well-being and cognitive ability.
The study reveals a significant shift from mortality to morbidity, with conditions like low back and neck pain and anxiety disorders causing disability. The authors highlight the need for health services to adapt to managing long-term conditions and address social determinants of ill health.
A comprehensive study by the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute found that air pollution and transportation noise significantly increase the risk of heart attacks. The study reveals that considering both factors together reduces the estimated effect of air pollution on cardiovascular health.
A new study by NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing found that nurses with bachelor's degrees report being better prepared in quality and safety measures, but the gap in preparedness between associate and bachelor's degree nurse graduates has doubled since 2007. This highlights the need for increased educational attainment among new nurs...
A new study by Brigham Young University researchers reveals that voters living in counties with high political competition give less to charity. The findings suggest that the perception of mistrust among like-minded individuals leads to lower charitable donations.
Researchers analyzed 250,000 cells from six mammalian species to chart the evolution of antiviral and antibacterial immunity. They found that genes involved in the immune response have highly variable activity in different cells within an individual's tissue.
Researchers develop silver nanoparticles coated with anti-seizure drugs to kill brain-eating amoebae, increasing human cell survival rates. The drug-nanoparticle combos target protein receptors or ion channels on the amoeba's membrane, offering a potential treatment for deadly infections.
A new study by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has identified new regulators of nitrogen use in plants, which may lead to the development of crops better suited to thrive under different environmental conditions. The researchers found that eliminating certain genes can stunt plant growth and distort roots when nitrogen is scarce.