Studies suggest that harvested wood products can store up to 441 megatons of CO2 per year by 2030. However, their net carbon sink value is threatened by global emissions and economic fluctuations that can turn them into a source of emissions.
A study published in Nature Geoscience found that California's Sierra Nevada mountain range experienced a catastrophic forest die-off due to depleted deep-soil water. The researchers discovered that years of severe drought and abnormally warm temperatures exceeded the safety margin for trees, leading to widespread tree death.
Scientists unveil rigorous quantum mechanical definition of atomic oxidation number, enabling accurate simulations of charge transport in ionic systems crucial to energy technologies and planetary science research. This breakthrough resolves a long-standing conundrum in condensed matter physics.
A new study suggests that extending cover crop growth periods can help alleviate soil erosion, nutrient losses, and main-crop damage in wet springs. However, the approach may also decrease crop yields in certain environments, highlighting the need for careful consideration among farmers.
A new iPad app, mPATH-CRC, will be tested in North Carolina and Kentucky clinics to increase colorectal cancer screenings. The project aims to determine the optimal way to implement technology-based programs to improve medical care delivery.
Researchers funded by Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NETRF) discover molecular information that can help predict the recurrence of non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The study identifies two new subtypes of pNETs, one with a high risk of recurrence and another with an excellent prognosis.
Over a 40-year period, Antarctic sea ice coverage increased gradually until 2014 before declining sharply between 2014 and 2017. This trend is more pronounced than observed in the Arctic over the same time frame, with implications for climate modeling and understanding.
A new study by Michigan Medicine researchers found that hospital readmission rates for hip and knee replacement patients have slowed to nearly half their previous rate despite expanded penalties. The study suggests that the program may have hit its 'floor' and raises questions about the power of expanding it.
A new study reviewing 492 studies on changing implicit bias found only a small percentage examined changes over time or behavioral effects. Researchers question the promise of implicit bias training to address social problems like discrimination.
A NUS study found that corals in Singapore's waters typically don't extend beyond eight metres, reducing the impact of rising sea levels. The research highlights the resilience of coral reefs in Singapore and informs conservation efforts.
Researchers found that cancer cells respond differently to targeted drugs based on tumour type and genetic weaknesses. The study suggests rethinking precision medicine and designing clinical trials with both gene faults and tumour type in mind.
A study using functional magnetic resonance imaging identified a brain network that determines if a robot is a worthy social partner. Participants preferred more lifelike robots, but disliked those with human-like features.
A significant decrease in depression cases was observed after CPAP treatment for sleep apnea in patients with cardiovascular disease. The study found that CPAP treatment had a broader benefit of preventing depression, independent of improved sleepiness.
Research examining US alcohol and pregnancy policies from 1972-2015 found varying effects on birth outcomes by race. For White women, most policies had adverse effects, while for Black women, four policies had beneficial effects. The study suggests future research should explore the reasons behind these disparities.
A collaboration of researchers from Oregon State University, University of Oxford, and Erasmus University discovered a genetic mutation causing craniosynostosis, a condition where skull bones fuse prematurely. This finding may lead to the prevention of the disorder and a better understanding of its effects on other organ systems.
Researchers from the University of Leeds have developed 3D holograms to share their work on massive star cluster formation with the general public. The holograms allow people to watch millions of years of stellar evolution in 3D, making it easier for non-experts to understand complex topics.
Researchers develop an artificial metalloenzyme that protects a metal catalyst, allowing it to target cancer cells while sparing surrounding tissues. The system uses a sugar chain to guide the metalloenzyme to specific cells, delivering a potent anti-cancer compound.
A study published in Hospital Pediatrics found that concurrent benzodiazepine exposure impacts the severity of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) more so than other substances. Infants exposed to both opioids and benzodiazepines were over 50% likelier to require medication treatment.
The BioSA project aims to create a more attractive option for filling defects in load-bearing areas with biodegradable metals. The team is working on designing an implant that corrodes at a controlled rate, reducing the need for second surgical interventions.
Researchers have identified the key challenges and breakthrough technologies for applying skeletal muscle progenitor cells in cell therapy. The study highlights the importance of suitable scaffolds and extracellular matrices in regulating progenitor cell behavior, which is crucial for successful tissue regeneration.
Researchers created new water cycle diagrams to promote better understanding of human impact on the 21st century water cycle. The diagrams depict human activities such as consumption, land use changes, and climate change, highlighting the need for accurate representation.
Researchers discovered that overexpressing macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in mice with SOD1 mutations slows down disease progression and extends lifespan. MIF may play a potential therapeutic role in ALS treatment.
After WIC introduced better food options in 2009, researchers found improved health outcomes for mothers and babies. They were less likely to experience preeclampsia and more likely to gain recommended weight during pregnancy.
Researchers discovered Cas9's ability to block gene activity without cutting DNA in pathogenic bacterium Francisella novicida, regulating disease-causing genes. This finding expands the versatility of CRISPR/Cas9 for genome engineering and potential antibiotic resistance solutions.
Tropical Cyclone 04W was torn apart by strong windshear in the Northwestern Pacific. The storm's remnants continue to move northwest and dissipate.
A study on squamate skulls reveals that diet, habitat, and evolutionary forces shape the wide range of skull features. The research found correlations between skull traits, with aquatic and burrowing species exhibiting rapid evolution.
The BU program, Integrating the Educators, successfully trained biomedical science trainees in the skills of being a medical educator. Trainees gained insights into how to teach basic science topics to a clinical audience and modified their lesson plans accordingly.
A team of researchers has identified the atomic interactions that stabilize the liquid, yet condensed phase of FUS, a protein associated with ALS and frontotemporal dementia. Understanding these molecular interactions could lead to the development of therapeutics to prevent disease-associated aggregation.
Researchers identified a group of people who appeared to have naturally mounted an immune response to TB despite being exposed for over 10 years. The study found that nearly 200 people from 2500 households tested negative on repeated standard TB tests, suggesting either insufficient test sensitivity or a natural defense.
Researchers at the University of Akron have developed 3D tumor models that more accurately replicate human tumors than traditional 2D cultures. These models are being used to test new drugs and understand the drivers of triple-negative breast cancer, a type of cancer with limited treatment options.
Researchers at the University of California - San Diego have developed a new cold-tolerant electrolyte for lithium-metal batteries, improving cycling efficiency and reducing dendrite growth. The breakthrough could lead to lighter batteries capable of storing more charge, extending electric vehicle range and lowering battery costs.
Researchers found that brains process ingroup faces as more unique, while outgroup faces are viewed as repeated instances of the same social category. This early perception may contribute to racial stereotyping and bias, with studies suggesting it begins in brain's face-selective cortex.
Physicist Will Fox receives the 2019 Thomas H. Stix Award for his original and seminal experiments on magnetic reconnection, ion Weibel instability, and shocks in laboratory astrophysics. His work investigates plasma processes that accelerate particles to enormous energies in the cosmos.
Researchers have shown that high doses of cyclophosphamide stimulate an immune system attack on lymphoma cells, resolving long-standing questions about the drug's mode of action. The discovery suggests a novel way to spark an immune system strike on certain cancers, particularly those with aggressive characteristics.
Researchers identified brain regions involved in creating the Uncanny Valley sensation, tracing it back to circuits processing social cues and valuation systems. The study's findings suggest ways to improve likability of artificial agents by adjusting these mechanisms.
A La Trobe University study found that peer-led support programs for carers significantly improved carer well-being, reducing psychological distress by 8.6% and increasing positive feelings by 7.6%. The program also increased carers' knowledge of mental health conditions and improved communication with the person they care for.
Parkinson's UK is partnering with NRG Therapeutics to develop a potential drug that could safeguard dopamine cells and slow down the progression of Parkinson's. The partnership will support the identification of novel molecules to protect mitochondria within dopamine-producing cells.
Rockefeller scientists created a 3D model of early embryonic tissues using stem cells, allowing them to simulate developmental processes in time and space. The researchers successfully demonstrated the utility of their tool by inducing symmetry breaking, a fundamental process driving embryonic development.
A new study from the University of Bristol found that childhood bullying is strongly associated with trajectories of depression that rise at an early age. Children who continued to show high depression into adulthood were also more likely to have genetic liability for depression and a mother with postnatal depression.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia identified a gene mutation responsible for a complex defect in a young boy's body. They harnessed this knowledge to develop a novel treatment that dramatically improved the boy's condition, reshaping his abnormal lymphatic vessels into a more normal anatomy and function.
A new, more effective influenza vaccine is being tested in the US, aiming to improve seasonal flu shot effectiveness. The vaccine uses adjuvants to enhance protection against infection, with a technology designed by artificial intelligence.
Artificial intelligence is being incorporated into a first-year mass communications class at Lehigh University, equipping students with skills to adapt and shape AI. The new approach aims to prepare students to report on AI's impact on journalism and help shape its future.
Researchers have developed effective activators for the bitter taste receptor TAS2R14, which could have significant health effects. The receptors play a role in the human immune system and are found on lung and testicle cells.
Research finds that low vitamin D levels from birth to early childhood are associated with an increased risk of elevated blood pressure later in life. Children born with vitamin D deficiency had a 60% higher risk of systolic hypertension between ages 6 and 18.
The study uncovered several hundred coupling events between GPCRs and G-proteins, greatly expanding the understanding of how these receptors work. This new data enables better prediction of GPCR-G-protein coupling and potential design of artificial GPCRs with specific signalling properties.
The study finds that existing power plants and energy infrastructure will release significant amounts of carbon into the atmosphere if not retired early, posing a threat to the 1.5-degree Celsius climate goal. However, the world can still meet the 2-degree goal without early retirement if new fossil fuel sources are not built.
A novel PET tracer has been used to detect abnormal inflammation in the grey matter of patients with progressive multiple sclerosis, linked to physical disability and brain atrophy. The study provides a new tool for assessing disease progression and predicting treatment effects.
A new guide from the American College of Physicians provides clinicians with a detailed framework for caring for transgender patients, highlighting specific medical issues and ways to improve practice. The guide also addresses broader concerns about healthcare access and disparities in marginalized populations.
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have developed an 'optochemogenetics' approach that modifies a widely used neuroscience tool to stimulate brain cells. The approach uses light to promote functional recovery in mouse models of stroke, with promising results for treating stroke patients.
Research found that female bedbugs can cleverly manage their immune systems in anticipation of mating-related infection, allowing them to resist traumatic insemination and improve reproductive success. This ability may also be shared by other insects and could help control bedbug populations.
Researchers discovered that sleep deprivation strengthens hippocampus synapses in mice, allowing new learning to occur after waking. Synapse strength increased after six hours of wakefulness compared to sleep, suggesting a recalibration process during rest.
Female bed bugs exhibit induced antibacterial humoral immune responses when fed regularly, with a 22% increase in longevity compared to unpredictable feeding schedules. Anticipation of mating-associated infection through feeding cues may influence reproductive immune anticipation.
Scientists propose that Earth's continental crust may have been thicker and present as far back as four billion years, with continents possibly rising from the sea much earlier than previously thought. The new model suggests that the survival of early crust was dependent on radioactivity levels.
A new study from the University of Notre Dame reveals that price-based incentives, such as discounts, can reduce subscription renewals in the long term. Consumers may perceive a discount as a loss rather than a reward, ultimately decreasing their likelihood of re-subscribing.
Researchers at Shinshu University have discovered acid hydrolysis of vinyl polymer breaking down into salicylic acid and acetic acid, forming the basis for aspirin production. This innovative process has the potential to recycle vinyl on an industrial scale, reducing plastic waste and its environmental impact.
Researchers found that patients taking an additional injection of alirocumab, a PCSK9 inhibitor, had significantly reduced cholesterol levels and lower risk of heart attack. For patients with diabetes, the treatment was found to reduce cardiovascular risk by an average of 2.3%.
Researchers found MRSA acquired mainly through community transmission, with higher prevalence among individuals of immigrant background in Norway. The study suggests a need for coordinated initiatives to reduce the spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Researchers observed bonobos in swamps foraging on aquatic herbs rich in iodine, a critical nutrient for brain development. This finding suggests that prehistoric humans may have obtained iodine from natural sources, potentially explaining their nutritional needs.
Harvard University researchers have developed a new method to create thousands of nanowires that can record electrical chatter inside live cells. This breakthrough allows for the simultaneous recording of multiple cells, enabling researchers to study complex neural networks and interactions. The 'combing' process of nanowires untanglin...
A new study co-led by University of Maryland astronomer Matthew Knight suggests that the first known interstellar object, 'Oumuamua, has a purely natural origin. The research team analyzed existing data and found that 'Oumuamua's characteristics are more consistent with a comet or asteroid than an alien spacecraft.