Early rice growers unwittingly selected for barnyard grass, which later evolved to mimic rice plants, allowing it to escape detection and spread globally. The study sequenced the genomes of rice-mimic and non-mimic forms of the weed to understand this process.
Anna Wojcicki, a University of Minnesota medical student, has been selected for the 2019 ASH Minority Medical Student Award Program to conduct translational research at Stanford University. She aims to develop new therapies for Acute Myeloid Leukemia by repurposing old drugs.
New research shows that e-cigarette ads are highly effective in targeting adolescents, with many failing to critically evaluate the information presented. The study found that youths are drawn to the 'cool factor' and emotional appeal of the ads, which can lead to an increased desire to try e-cigarettes.
Researchers say hospital emergency departments can play a critical role in curbing the spread of HIV infections in hard-to-reach populations. By initiating treatment and case management, EDs may be able to reach key targets in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a handheld device that can detect methanol in alcoholic beverages and diagnose poisoning by analyzing exhaled breath. The device uses a small metal oxide sensor to distinguish between methanol and ethanol, with detection limits down to the legal limit.
A new study published in Invasive Plant Science and Management reveals that tailoring treatments to specific weed control objectives can lead to improved outcomes. Researchers found that fewer, well-timed mowing events were more effective than frequent mowing in controlling invasive thistle.
Research by University of Queensland found children with access to fixed play equipment like swings and slides are more likely to meet national physical activity guidelines. The type of play equipment at home is directly related to the amount of physical activity a child does.
The Department of Energy has awarded Oak Ridge National Laboratory over $11 million to advance quantum technologies, including computing and fiber optics. Researchers will work on projects aimed at accelerating progress in quantum computing and developing wide-area quantum networks.
A new study reveals that a protein called caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is depleted in the temporal lobe of humans with type-2 diabetes and in a diabetic mouse model, leading to increased Alzheimer's disease pathology. Restoring Cav-1 levels in mice reduced Alzheimer's pathology and improved learning and memory deficits.
A new study from Duke University Medical Center found that pulegone, contained in menthol and mint flavored e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products, exceeds safety levels with potential carcinogenic properties. The FDA does not regulate pulegone's presence in these products, despite being banned as a food additive.
Researchers develop a new imaging technology that uses laser light to distinguish between cancerous and healthy tissues during surgery, potentially eliminating the need for secondary surgeries. This innovation has the potential to save time, money, and anxiety in cancer treatment, while also reducing the economic burden of healthcare.
Research found that women who experienced later puberty and menopause had a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In contrast, using the contraceptive pill and having longer menstrual cycles increased the risk.
A study from the University of Colorado School of Medicine found that physicians' delivery and communication practices must improve to boost HPV vaccine completion rates. Pediatricians who strongly recommend the vaccine have higher acceptance rates, and optimizing HPV delivery through standing orders and alert systems can also help.
A new bio-based material has been created by combining wood cellulose fibres and spider silk protein found in spider web threads, exhibiting high strength and stiffness along with increased toughness. The researchers achieved this by aligning cellulose nanofibrils into a stiff scaffold and infiltrating it with a soft and energy-dissipa...
Researchers found that carbohydrate content and meal type are the most important factors affecting carb-counting accuracy. Larger meals tend to have more errors, while smaller meals have fewer mistakes.
Researchers at the University of Münster have discovered a new composition of the Earth's mantle, suggesting that large parts of it contain fewer incompatible elements. The study found that more material from the mantle has melted to form the Earth's crust than previously thought.
A highly predictive genetic risk score is being developed by Paul Tran to identify children at significant risk of developing type 1 diabetes. The algorithm uses a feedforward neural network to analyze thousands of gene variants associated with the disease, aiming to predict with five times better accuracy than current systems.
A 16-week vegan diet was shown to increase the abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Bacteoides fragilis, leading to significant reductions in body weight, fat mass, and visceral fat. Insulin sensitivity also improved in the vegan group.
The study found that temporarily disabling SETD3, a crucial protein needed for enteroviral replication, can protect against viral diseases. In mice bioengineered to lack SETD3, the viruses were unable to infect and replicate.
Scientists mixed RNA and DNA to study how life began on Earth, finding unstable chimeras that can replicate RNA and DNA. The research suggests a more complex system may have existed before pure RNA and DNA, supporting alternative theories of life's origins.
A study involving 482 participants found that Christians value thoughts and prayers from fellow believers, but atheists/agnostics reject Christian prayers. People with non-Christian beliefs are willing to pay to avoid praying with a Christian.
A new study found that adolescent sleep timing preferences and patterns can be a significant risk factor for obesity and cardiometabolic health. Teenagers who prefer to go to bed late had higher waist circumference and greater abdominal fat deposition than those who prefer to go to bed early.
Researchers have developed a new tool to detect non-Gaussian noise affecting qubits, which can cause decoherence and destroy their fragile quantum state. By analyzing the noise patterns, scientists hope to gain insights into microscopic mechanisms and develop more effective methods to protect qubits from specific types of noise.
Researchers analyzing almost 8,000 pregnancies in South Korea found fetal growth was abnormally large at 20-24 weeks for women later diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Early screening and monitoring may improve health outcomes for mothers and babies.
A Rutgers study found that US physicians are ordering off-label medications for children at increasing rates, particularly for unapproved conditions. The study analyzed data from 2006 to 2015 and found that about 19% of office visits involved the use of off-label systemic drugs.
USC scientists discover coral passes beneficial algae colonies to offspring for survival advantage. The finding suggests corals can adapt to rising ocean temperatures through genetic mechanisms.
A commonly used Alzheimer's treatment, donepezil, significantly increases the risk of hospitalization for rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition that can cause kidney damage. The study found a two-fold higher risk of hospitalization with donepezil compared to other cholinesterase inhibitors.
The American College of Cardiology has published its first health policy statement on cardiologist compensation and opportunity equity, aiming to advance fairness and improve patient care. The document outlines 17 principles for achieving equity in compensation and opportunity, including minimizing disparities and promoting equal acces...
Research in mice revealed that vaccination led to increased antigen-specific CD8+ T cell proliferation when administered mid-day. The circadian clock influences this response by controlling the cells' transcriptional program and modulating their responsiveness.
Researchers dispute the long-held belief that heterochromatin is a reliable guardian of the human genome. A study by University of Arizona researcher Keith Maggert reveals that heterochromatin can flicker on and off, allowing transposons to cause mutations and damage. This instability has significant implications for our understanding ...
Researchers found a gene that responds to brain activity to coordinate the need for sleep, and zebrafish studies suggest that intensive brain activity increases sleep pressure. The findings may help understand sleep disorders and conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
A $3 million Stand Up 2 Cancer grant supports a clinical trial evaluating a combination therapy to prevent triple-negative breast cancer recurrence. The trial will utilize a blood test to identify women at risk and harness the immune system to eliminate the cancer.
Researchers analyze fish bones from Early Neolithic Jiahu site in Henan Province, China, and find evidence of managed carp aquaculture from 6200-5700 BC. The study's findings suggest a sophisticated system of aquaculture development in prehistoric East Asia.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have developed a platform that uses nanoparticles known as metal-organic frameworks to deliver a promising anti-cancer agent, siRNA, to cells. The study shows that MOFs can present a viable platform for delivering potent anti-cancer agents to target specific genes.
A recent study found that over 70% of US adults are unaware that human papillomavirus (HPV) causes anal, penile, and oral cancers. The study, led by researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, also showed low HPV vaccination rates among eligible individuals.
Scientists identified over 11,000 families of grouped genes in genomes of different species, with a third being part of conserved clusters. The study found that natural selection favors gene organization, making it easier to regulate genes, and that horizontal transfer may be less common than previously thought.
A study by University of Wyoming economists found that Christian hurricane victims value prayers from religious strangers, while atheists and agnostics believe they are worse off. The research suggests that thoughts and prayers should be employed selectively to maximize their impact on recipient welfare.
Researchers found that plant-forward diets can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water use, with even a two-thirds vegan diet having lower impacts than traditional lacto-ovo vegetarian diets. The study's findings emphasize the need for country-specific dietary shifts to address climate and nutrition crises.
Researchers developed a lightweight plastic that mimics the outer coating of pearls, offering improved protection against bullets and projectiles. The material has high thermal conductivity, making it ideal for vests, helmets, and other body armor.
A secondary analysis of NRG-RTOG 9601 showed that pre-SRT PSA was a prognostic and predictive biomarker in determining the benefit of adding anti-androgen therapy to early SRT. Patients with PSAs <0.6 ng/mL experienced an increase in other-cause mortality and higher-grade cardiac events.
Scientists have discovered a distinct climatic signature on rivers globally, with varying elevational profiles shaped by regional aridity levels. In humid regions, rivers exhibit concave-up shapes, while drier regions feature straighter profiles.
A new electrochemical process can decarbonate calcium carbonate to form alite and release hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide streams. This technology has the potential to significantly reduce or eliminate cement industry greenhouse gas emissions by capturing CO2 for sequestration or power generation.
A new study from Brigham Young University found that having good neighbors, teachers, or caregivers can counteract the negative impact of adverse childhood experiences. The study showed that even with four or more ACEs, high amounts of advantageous childhood experiences led to better adult physical and mental health.
Researchers developed machine learning algorithms to identify cyberbullies and aggressors on Twitter with 90% accuracy. The algorithms analyzed behavioral patterns, natural language processing, and social network connections to classify users as bullies or normal users.
Researchers have found that a drug used to treat enlarged prostate may slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. Using big data and bench science, they discovered that terazosin can block cell death by activating an enzyme called PGK1, which is critical for cellular energy production.
A new study reveals the narrow escape problem, a classic math puzzle, plays a key role in determining immune responses. The unique shape of T cells creates a close-contact zone for triggering molecules, and the size of this zone depends on the surface protrusions, keeping the process sensitive to invaders.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara and their international team have uncovered the mechanism behind doping organic semiconductors using Lewis acids. The discovery reveals that water plays a crucial role in this process, enabling scientists to design even better dopants for greater control over these materials.
A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that teenage girls who go to bed later are more likely to gain weight compared to those who sleep earlier. The research also showed a significant association between late bedtime and increased waist size and body fat in young females.
Fishing fleets' capacity to capture fish is increasing by an average of 2% yearly due to technological advancements like GPS and echo-sounders. This 'technological creep' leads to a doubling of fleet power every 35 years, further straining dwindling fish stocks.
A study found that hospitals using high-risk antibiotics saw a 12% increase in C. difficile infections per 100 days of therapy. The most significant correlation was with cephalosporins, highlighting the need for ongoing antibiotic stewardship.
Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial in New Haven, Connecticut, where police officers made community policing visits to residents' homes. The study found that positive interactions improved public trust and cooperation with police, especially among black individuals and those with strong negative views towards the police.
Researchers found that over half of deer ticks were infected with Lyme disease and other pathogens, while nearly a quarter carried multiple agents. This study highlights the need to consider all tick-borne diseases, not just Lyme, due to polymicrobial infections.
A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that consuming four servings of cheese per day alongside a high sodium diet may protect blood vessels from damage. The researchers discovered that antioxidants in cheese may play a role in preserving vascular health, providing an alternative strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk.
The NRG-HN002 trial found that reduced-dose intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with cisplatin achieved acceptable progression-free survival (PFS) rates and swallowing-related quality of life for p16-positive oropharyngeal cancer patients. Patients who received IMRT and cisplatin reported higher acute toxicities, but similar late t...
Happy couples tend to take a solution-oriented approach to conflict, focusing on solvable issues like household labor and leisure time. They avoid discussing sensitive topics like health and intimacy, which can be challenging to resolve without risking vulnerability or embarrassment.
Scientists from Ural Federal University and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology developed a green synthesis method for iron oxide nanoparticles using Ipomoea aquatica extract. The resulting nanoparticles exhibit superparamagnetic nature, antibacterial activity, and potential applications in biomedicine.
Brazilian researchers used computational tools to analyze blood cells from patients infected with chikungunya virus, identifying genes associated with the disease and potential biomarkers of predisposition to chronic joint pain. The study suggests that certain gene signatures can be explored as therapeutic targets.
The new sample holder allows for direct crystallization of proteins on the holder, eliminating the need for transfer and reducing damage risk. This innovation simplifies protein crystallography by grouping up to 24 sample holders onto one plate.
The study reveals that humans developed longer ventricles and larger chamber sizes due to endurance exercise, contrasting with great apes' shorter intense bursts of resistance. This suggests a trade-off between pressure and volume in the human heart's evolution.
Researchers develop robotic fish predators that induce fear responses in mosquitofish, triggering avoidance behaviors and physiological changes associated with energy reserve loss. Brief exposure to a robotic largemouth bass replica provokes meaningful stress responses in mosquitofish.