A systematic review and meta-analysis of social network interventions found significant effects on various health behaviors and outcomes, including sexual health, alcohol misuse, wellbeing, and smoking cessation. The study suggests that social network approaches can be a promising tool for improving health behaviors and outcomes.
Research shows that retail mobile apps increase sales, purchase frequency, and product diversity, both online and in-store. App users return products 35% more frequently, while also spending more overall.
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has announced the winners of its annual awards, recognizing Prof. Eric Van Cutsem's pioneering work in gastrointestinal oncology and Dr. Angelo Di Leo's lifetime achievements in cancer research and education. The ESMO Women for Oncology Award was also presented to Prof. Cristiana Sessa, ...
A European study found that patients with high PRD values (≥7.5 degrees) benefit from implantable defibrillators, with a 75% decrease in mortality risk, while those with lower values see a 31% reduction.
Researchers found that sea lampreys' bile acids produce as sex pheromones are less varied among mature males than larvae, suggesting sexual selection plays a role in their evolution. Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between pheromone diversity and mate preferences.
A study of nearly 1.7 million 18-year-old boys found that higher body mass index (BMI) is linked to a greater risk of heart attack before age 65. The research suggests that monitoring BMI during puberty and preventing obesity with healthy eating and physical activity may help reduce this risk.
Research suggests DNA changes can increase susceptibility to age-related diseases like heart conditions and blood cancers. A study of over 1000 older individuals found those with somatic mutations had a biological age almost four years older than those without alterations.
Researchers are conducting a national trial to identify transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) in older minority patients with congestive heart failure. The goal is to use highly sensitive heart imaging and blood tests to diagnose the disease earlier, potentially leading to better patient outcomes.
Researchers found that maladaptive changes in calcium transport by mitochondria contribute to the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Altering NCLX expression and mitochondrial calcium homeostasis restored cognitive function and reduced amyloid beta and tau pathology.
Research in mice reveals that XX sex chromosomes increase blood fat levels, leading to narrowed arteries and higher heart attack risk. The study suggests a new therapeutic target for treating coronary artery disease in post-menopausal women.
A new digital platform aims to increase recyclable plastics by reducing material components and weighing functionality against resource efficiency. The DIMOP project creates a tool for product developers to make better material choices, increasing plastic recyclability.
A large international study found that more than 70% of cardiovascular disease and deaths globally may be attributed to a small number of modifiable risk factors. The 14 identified risk factors include hypertension, low education, poor diet, air pollution, and indoor air pollution, which have varying impacts on health across countries ...
A simple and sensitive urine test has been developed to detect colon cancer in mice, changing the color of urine to signal growing tumors. The test uses nanosensors that break down when cut by enzymes released by tumors, producing a blue color change that can be seen with the naked eye.
Researchers have discovered that bar-headed geese are able to fly high for long periods of time by reducing their metabolism in low-oxygen conditions. The study found that six out of seven birds could fly in moderately low-oxygen levels and three were willing to fly in severely low-oxygen conditions.
A new study by MIT linguist Shigeru Miyagawa and Esther Clarke reveals that Old World monkeys can combine two items in language sequences, but this ability stops at two. Unlike humans, who can recombine terms to create an infinite variety of sequences, the monkeys' language lacks the capacity for greater complexity.
Researchers have discovered complex social behaviors in kombucha microbes, which could provide clues for understanding cooperation in human societies. By studying the interactions between different species in kombucha, scientists hope to develop new antimicrobial products and interventions for bettering human health.
Tropical Depression Kajiki made a quick landfall in Vietnam, with the Global Precipitation Measurement mission analyzing rainfall rates. The heaviest rainfall was recorded over central Vietnam and Laos, falling at rates of up to 0.8 inches per hour.
A new research project aims to develop touchscreens with more realistic interactions, enabling users to physically push their fingers into screens or feel different materials. The project promises a step-change in touchscreen technology, potentially benefiting visually impaired people and offering new ways of interacting with devices.
Researchers at Staffordshire University are using artificial aquatic ecosystems called limnotrons to test plastic degradation and develop a standardized method for identifying the age of plastics. The study will help identify effective mitigation and management strategies for reducing plastic pollution in freshwater systems.
Researchers have mapped a previously uncharted region of the human genome that gives rise to various diseases. Using advanced imaging techniques, they discovered extreme variability in DNA sequences between individuals and populations, which may lead to genetic testing for parents before having children.
Researchers discovered two distinct sub-populations of interstitial macrophages in the lung, which play a crucial role in preventing asthma development. These sub-populations exhibit different functions, origins, and morphologies, and have distinct local precursors.
A recent study analyzed over 135 million imaging exams across the US and Ontario, finding that medical imaging rates have continued to increase despite campaigns to reduce their use. The study found a reacceleration in imaging use for CT and MRI scans in adults, with ongoing growth in both countries.
Researchers at New Jersey Institute of Technology created a biologically inspired remora disc that replicates the fish's ability to lock onto surfaces, with a 'sweet spot' in suction power between nine and 12 lamellae. The study provides insight into the evolution of the remora's unique disc morphology.
Danish researchers at Aarhus University are developing an AI system to detect market manipulation and fraud in global stock exchanges. The project, called DISPA, aims to replace manual sampling with automated analysis of trading activity.
A new study by Penn State researcher Marc Abrams suggests that white-tailed deer browsing has not impacted forest canopies, but rather slowed the densification process. Forests are becoming increasingly dense due to a lack of fire and increased deer populations.
A new study by Weill Cornell Medicine found that states with comprehensive prescription drug monitoring program mandates saw a 8.92% reduction in opioid prescriptions and 17.75% fewer emergency department visits compared to those with weak or no mandates.
Researchers proposed a new type of plasmonic surface lattice resonance (SLR) supported by metal-insulator-metal arrays, which exhibit higher quality factors in less symmetric dielectric environments. This allows for diverse applications, including ultrasensitive sensing and nanolasers.
Researchers found that bar-headed geese can fly at altitudes of up to 8500m by reducing their metabolism, increasing oxygen transport per heartbeat and heart rate, and lowering blood temperature. This adaptation allows them to conserve energy and fly efficiently in low-oxygen conditions.
Researchers at HSE University found that the brain comprehends words placed on the right side of a screen more quickly. The total amount of presented information affects speed and accuracy of word processing.
Tropical Depression 7 has powerful thunderstorms with heavy rain capabilities affecting southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. NASA's Aqua satellite analysis found strongest storms in fragmented bands, with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Rice University lab has developed an efficient electrolyzer that can turn greenhouse gases into pure liquid fuels. The process uses renewable electricity and produces highly purified formic acid with high concentrations.
The study analyzed 135 million imaging examinations among 16-21 million patients in the US and Canada, finding increased medical imaging rates among adults but declining nuclear medicine use. Imaging rates continued to rise among children except for CT, which declined since 2006.
Researchers developed a new method to write and read quantum messages with very fast particles, overcoming the limitations of standard techniques. The novel technique guarantees unambiguous decoding even when particles behave according to both quantum mechanics and special relativity.
A large study of almost 200,000 patients found that premedicating with antihistamines and switching contrast media can reduce recurrent allergic reactions. Genetic predisposition may also play a role in reaction to CT contrast agents, according to the researchers.
A population-based study of nearly 452,000 men and women from 10 European countries found that consuming two or more glasses per day of soft drinks was associated with a higher risk of death. The study also linked high sugar-sweetened soft drink consumption to increased mortality from circulatory diseases.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center conducted a large-scale study comparing surgical masks to N95 respirators for flu and respiratory virus protection. The results show that there is no significant difference in effectiveness between the two types of masks, with medical masks being as effective as N95 respirators.
Research suggests that overweight adolescents experience a biological response driving reduced appetite when stressed, eating about 35% fewer calories in the two hours following. This study challenges the common assumption that stress leads to overeating and highlights the importance of understanding individual responses to stress.
Research reveals that individuals who experienced financial, housing-related, or job-related hardships during the Great Recession showed increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and problematic drug use. These findings suggest that government-funded mental health support may be a sound investment to stimulate economic recovery.
A hospital-only approach to deliveries could significantly reduce travel time for pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries, with a potential increase of up to 45 minutes in average travel time. This shift would be feasible despite the challenges, as primary care facilities often fail to provide lifesaving care.
The Lancet published several studies on cardiovascular disease, including a new risk chart for 21 global regions and a trial on percutaneous coronary intervention versus coronary artery bypass grafting. Additionally, the journal presented findings on sirolimus-eluting stents versus durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents in patients ...
A study published in Immunity identified a biomarker for predicting malaria infection severity, with increased p53 activation associated with enhanced protection against fever and inflammation. The findings could lead to new strategies for dampening harmful inflammatory responses and identifying at-risk individuals.
Hurricane Juliette has grown into a major hurricane, with its eye now visible in NASA satellite imagery. The storm's maximum sustained winds have reached near 125 mph (205 kph), and it is moving northwest at 8 mph (13 kph).
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed new technologies that combine light-gathering semiconductors and catalytic materials to produce clean fuel. The technologies use solar energy to drive chemical reactions capable of producing fuels, which store the sun's energy in chemical bonds.
Researchers used a swept-wavelength external cavity quantum cascade laser to study explosive events, detecting molecules and measuring temperature and concentration changes. The instrument provides fast and safe measurements, enabling new understanding of explosions and potential applications.
A team led by James Umen and Ru Zhang has identified hundreds of 'Deep Green' genes in land plants and green algae with unknown functions. These genes are likely to play important roles in photosynthetic cells and may be exploited to improve bioenergy crops under drought, heat or nutrient stresses.
Tropical Storm 14W strengthened into a powerful system due to strong thunderstorms fueled by infrared data from NASA's Aqua satellite. The storm's intense cloud top temperatures indicate potential for heavy rainfall, with winds near 40 mph and expected to intensify over the next five days.
A new technique developed by researchers at the University of Illinois and Kyushu University in Japan uses less than 1% of the energy required for traditional de-icing methods to melt a thin layer of ice at the surface interface, allowing it to slide off under gravity. This approach is more efficient and reduces system downtime.
Scientists have found that the blue-banded sea snake uses a vascular network in its head to absorb oxygen from the surrounding water, allowing it to stay submerged for longer periods. This unique adaptation enables the snake to thrive in tropical waters with minimal surface exposure.
Researchers from Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf and Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have discovered a unique chiral effect in magnetic materials. The team created parabolic strips of Permalloy, which exhibited a surprisingly strong delayed response to a reversed magnetic field due to curvature-induced chiral properties.
Fewer sports-related sudden cardiac arrest victims die nowadays, a trend linked to increased bystander CPR. Bystander CPR was associated with nearly eight times greater likelihood of survival.
Research in mice reveals that chronic cocaine use changes gene expression in the hippocampus, leading to epigenetic modifications of the FosB gene. This modification enables the formation of drug associations and contributes to addiction.
A study of 1,075 patients under 50 found that healthy behaviors such as regular exercise, quitting smoking, and managing cholesterol levels can significantly reduce the risk of premature heart disease. In contrast, genetics played a less significant role in those with multiple modifiable risk factors.
Researchers have digitized vintage film showing Thwaites Glacier's ice shelf is being thawed by a warming ocean more quickly than expected. This finding contributes to predictions for sea-level rise that would impact coastal communities worldwide.
The study found that TRPV1 heat responses shifted from cool- to warm-adapted species, while TRPA1 activity increased in cool-adapted species, suggesting adaptations for thermal sensing
A team of researchers has digitized and archived over 400,000 km of Antarctic ice-penetrating radar data to track changes in the ice sheet's thickness and englacial features over four decades. The study suggests that the Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf thinned by 10-33% between 1978 and 2009.
Climate simulations suggest that land-atmosphere feedbacks can increase atmospheric aridity, leading to high probabilities of concurrent soil drought and extreme aridity. The study also predicts more frequent and intense drought and aridity in the coming century with significant human and ecological implications.
Bacteria behind hospital infections have been found to close tiny doors in their cell walls, blocking antibiotics. This mechanism allows researchers to design new drugs that can 'pick the locks' and allow antibiotics into bacterial cells.
A new study of nearly half a million people found that sleeping between 6 and 9 hours nightly can cut the risk of heart attack by up to 18% for those with genetic predisposition. Sleeping too little or too much also boosts heart attack risk, with optimal sleep duration being critical for overall heart health.
A study found that women gave over half of TED talks in the first half of 2017, up from less than one-third in 2006. However, ethnic minorities remained underrepresented, making up just one in five talks during the same period.
A study published in Nature Sustainability found that people understand sustainability in four distinct ways, but most see environmental and social outcomes as trade-offs. This suggests that effective communication is key to overcoming public scepticism about achieving a sustainable world.