Eugenio Schuster's research teams work on existing tokamaks to advance ITER efforts, focusing on plasma control and confinement. The European Union, China, and other countries have committed resources to build ITER, the largest fusion reactor in history.
Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a way to make sarcoma cells more susceptible to treatment by slowing down their growth through a key metabolic process. By reactivating the FBP2 enzyme, researchers were able to stop cancer cell proliferation and leave them vulnerable to targeted therapies.
Research finds children of abusive mothers are almost 50% more likely to have a low IQ at age 8, with the risk rising to 34.6% if mothers were repeatedly exposed to domestic violence. The study used data from over 3,997 mother-child pairs and controlled for other risk factors.
Researchers at Michigan State University have found that cellular RNA levels change significantly following infection or vaccination. The study's findings could help identify new targets for building better flu vaccines and aid in the design of a universal vaccine.
A UK-based science engineering company has licensed a novel heating technology from Purdue University to support industries such as research institutes and commercial manufacturers. The C-Core carbon fiber technology provides uniform heat without cold spots, facilitating high-quality sample delivery in analytical science and forensics.
A literature review found five woody species native to Oklahoma that have become invasive in other regions, causing harm to biodiversity. The study suggests prioritizing conservation efforts based on a species' benefits or harm to the environment.
A new study found a sharp increase in medical students disclosing disabilities, leading to more accommodations and a potential improvement in patient care. Despite the rise, students with disabilities still represent less than 5% of future physicians.
A collaboration between Lehigh University and 15 Philadelphia-area libraries has made over 160,000 pages of medieval manuscripts available online. The project, funded by a $499,086 grant, features high-resolution images and searchable metadata, enabling researchers to study and compare manuscripts in detail.
A team from the Earlham Institute is exploring the chemical diversity of UK plants to identify new medicines, including those found in foxgloves and willow trees. The project aims to understand how plants produce complex chemicals and unlock new pathways for biomanufacturing.
A team of scientists at Tokyo University of Science has observed antiferromagnetic transitions in a type of Tsai-type approximant, a structure similar to quasicrystals. This finding could lead to the creation of quasicrystals with unique properties.
Tropical Storm Kammuri is consolidating and strengthening, with maximum sustained winds reaching 45 mph. The storm will move west-northwest, potentially intensifying into a typhoon by Thursday. NASA's JPSS-1 satellite provides critical forecast data.
Diascopic LLC is developing an AI-powered diagnostic platform for detecting tuberculosis (TB) using digital pathology tools. The platform has shown promising results in five African clinical locations, securing $225,000 in Small Business Innovation Research funding from the National Institute of Health.
Researchers used peat core analysis to reconstruct the development of a calcareous spring fen on Saaremaa, Estonia. The study found that the high diversity of vegetation in spring fens is a result of long-term stable environments, providing insights into conservation efforts.
A new essay in PLOS Biology argues that poverty compromises health by creating unequal access to beneficial microorganisms. People living in low-income communities lack essential factors promoting healthy microbiomes, leading to poor health outcomes such as obesity and mental health disorders.
A recent study found that US poison control centers received over 67,300 calls regarding exposures to natural psychoactive substances from 2000-2017. The majority of cases involved marijuana, with a notable increase in hospital admissions and serious medical outcomes.
Researchers are developing robotic networks that can work independently but collaboratively to accomplish complex tasks. By using genetic fuzzy logic, they were able to get three robots and then five robots to move a token to a designated spot on a table.
Researchers analyzed data from the Murchison Widefield Array radio telescope to set a new limit for the strength of neutral hydrogen's ultra-faint signature. The analysis may reveal critical information about the first stars and galaxies in the universe.
Adults in recovery report experiencing micro and macro forms of discrimination, leading to increased distress and decreased quality of life. The study highlights the need for addressing discrimination to support successful recovery.
Scientists outline 10 simple rules to ensure responsible use of computational modelling in behavioural sciences, avoiding common pitfalls and misinterpretations. The guidelines cover designing effective experiments, generating and validating models, and reporting on analyses.
A recent study published in the European Heart Journal has identified a potential mechanism linking long-term exposure to environmental noise and cardiovascular disease. The research found that high noise levels lead to activation of the amygdala, a deep brain structure, triggering changes that increase the risk of heart attack, stroke...
A new study published in Gastroenterology reports that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) promotes metastasis of colorectal cancer through the microRNA MIR675-5p, which silences the expression of p53. Researchers found that mice treated with PGE2 had increased metastases compared to controls, and tumor cells expressed more MIR675-5p and less p53.
A recent study explores how our brain fuses with musical rhythm and its relationship to spatial sound dimensions. Trained musicians' brains show stronger synchronization with rhythms, while untrained listeners also synchronize with the beat.
Yu Zhang is studying how to assess costly economic and ecological impacts of natural disasters on industries and waterways around the Neches River basin in southeast Texas. He's investigating whether wetlands can filter out pollutants that enter Texas waterways following extended flooding.
A team of researchers at the University of Arizona has uncovered a previously unknown cellular structure that enables bacteria to rapidly defend against viruses. This newly formed filament increases DNA-cleaving ability by 200 times, making it an essential component of bacterial immune responses.
Studies on mice suggest that a neuropeptide αCGRP has beneficial effects on the heart in patients with high blood pressure. Physical activity increases αCGRP levels, which help prevent pathological heart remodeling and cardiac dysfunction. However, long-term use of αCGRP blockers may be hazardous for these patients.
Researchers at KBRI found a new molecular mechanism that can inhibit neuronal degeneration by TDP-43, which is a major cause of dementia and Lou Gehrig's disease. The discovery reveals a potential therapeutic strategy to remove abnormal protein accumulation in neurons of patients with dementia.
Researchers discovered measurable changes in pupillary parameters following asymptomatic high-acceleration head impacts. The study suggests that nonconcussive head impacts may affect intrinsic brain reflex pathways and reflect biological injuries, paving the way for a potential inexpensive and rapid method of determining brain injury.
A new method accelerates template creation for medical-image analysis, generating brain scan templates based on patient attributes such as age and sex. The model can synthesize atlases from sparse data, improving disease diagnosis accuracy.
A new national analysis in Japan highlights the potential of entertainment-conservation partnerships to increase public interest in wildlife. The research found that animated shows with animal characters can boost donations to zoo conservation programs, with Kemono Friends being a notable example of its positive impact on public interest.
Researchers from iPSYCH discovered that autism and ADHD share changes in the same genes, particularly the MAP1A gene involved in nerve cell formation. The study found a significantly increased risk of developing autism and/or ADHD for those carrying mutations in this gene.
Astronomers have discovered hair-like filaments of magnetic field protruding above and below the disk of spiral galaxy NGC 4631. The filaments, extending beyond the disk into the galaxy's extended halo, indicate a large-scale, coherent magnetic field.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz discovered elevated mercury levels in mountain lions, lichen, and deer within the fog zone, approaching toxic thresholds. Bioaccumulation contributes to higher concentrations up the food chain, posing a significant risk to terrestrial mammals.
Research suggests that aerobic exercise and a heart-healthy diet, such as the DASH diet, can improve cognitive functioning in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Combining exercise with the DASH diet showed promise in improving thinking, memory, and decision-making abilities.
Fourteen Penn State faculty members have been named AAAS fellows for their exceptional work in various scientific disciplines. These new fellows were recognized for their contributions to fields such as physics, astronomy, computer science, and entomology.
A new gene therapy aims to 'switch off' genes that promote cardiovascular disease by reducing fatty material buildup in arteries. The treatment, developed at the University of Sheffield, has the potential to slow or stop the progression of heart disease.
A study of over 1000 people aged 70 found that those who played non-digital games scored better on memory and thinking tests. Increasing game playing during their 70s also predicted maintaining certain thinking skills as they grew older.
A new analysis from Texas Tech University shows two-thirds of people who sext do so for non-sexual reasons, including relationship reassurance and favor exchanges. The study found three main motivations behind sexting: foreplay, relationship reassurance, and favor exchanges.
Researchers have developed ternary organic solar cells with non-fullerene electron acceptors or polymer donors, improving spectral response and photon-harvesting capabilities. The addition of these third components enhances energy and charge transfer, leading to increased efficiency and potentially semi-transparent solar cells.
Researchers from POSTECH successfully developed a photodiode with increased absorption of the near-infrared light by using the hourglass principle. The new device has been shown to have 29% increased near-infrared photoreseponse and less than 1% error rate in heart-rate measurement.
Between 1968 and 2017, object-related choking deaths among children and teens decreased from 1.02 per 100,000 in 1968 to 0.25 per 100,000 in 2017, with a total of 20,629 reported deaths during this period
Researchers found that a plant-based compound called halofuginone improves the immune response to a potential dengue vaccine in mice, producing twice as many antibodies and binding more strongly. The compound mimics amino acid starvation, activating a pathway that results in better antibodies.
A new study found that a one-off dose of ketamine can significantly reduce urges to drink and prolonged decrease alcohol intake in heavy drinkers. After reactivating their drinking-related memories, participants who received ketamine showed rapid improvement and sustained reduction over nine months.
A new software tool, developed at KAUST, allows researchers to visualize and design catalytic pockets using topographic steric maps. This helps improve the understanding of how known catalysts function and guides exploration of chemical modifications to create better catalysts.
Researchers argue that climate change has a disproportionate impact on disabled populations, limiting access to knowledge and resources. The study highlights the need for urgent research into the intersection of disability rights and climate change.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a method to automatically identify memes and apply prewritten templates to add descriptive alt text, making them intelligible via existing assistive technologies. This system aims to bridge the gap in accessibility for meme usage among people with visual impairments.
A novel theranostic reagent has been developed to detect and treat metastatic prostate cancer, achieving high imaging accuracy. The reagent targets STEAP1 antigen, identifying lesions in patients with a significant number of positive results.
A new study found that biennial mammography screening resulted in smaller and less advanced breast cancer tumors compared to annual screenings. The study also discovered that women receiving biennial screenings tended to have more aggressive treatment options, such as chemotherapy and axillary lymph node dissection.
Researchers propose a new safety barrier for large Light Water Reactors, which they claim could have prevented the devastating accidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima. The barrier is expected to reduce the probability of core melt to that of a large meteorite hitting the site.
Choking deaths in US children have decreased by 75% over the past 50 years, attributed to choking hazard regulations. Despite this progress, 184 child deaths occurred in 2017, highlighting the need for continued vigilance.
A Brazilian consortium is working with international partners to develop new treatments for Malaria, Chagas disease and visceral leishmaniasis. The goal is to create a rapid-acting anti-malarial molecule that can eliminate the parasite without resistance development.
A new algorithm developed by University of California, Riverside researchers can spot patterns in massive datasets quickly, improving earthquake detection and monitoring insect vectors. The SCAMP algorithm has been used to detect 16 times more earthquakes than previously known and can also analyze the behavior of chickens.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have developed a low-cost technique to convert brewery waste into carbon, which can be used as a renewable fuel or in water filters. The method creates activated carbon and carbon nanotubes from barley waste, reducing emissions linked with the agriculture sector and creating a high-value product.
Researchers have used physics-based redesign to optimize the industrial bread dough kneading process. Their simulations showed that radial mixing in a spiral kneader is more effective than vertical mixing, leading to improved bread quality. The findings could lead to enhanced mixing performance and reduced over- or under-kneading.
NASA is sending five airborne campaigns across the US to investigate fundamental processes that impact human lives and the environment. These campaigns will conduct science on high-altitude aircraft, autonomous gliders, and floats to study snowstorms, ocean eddies, and river deltas.
Patients qualifying for Medicare due to disability have the highest rates of opioid overdose deaths. The majority of these deaths occur among individuals with substance misuse or psychiatric diseases, highlighting the need for targeted treatment programs.
A new National Institutes of Health study reveals that uncommitted neural stems cells generally survive La Crosse virus (LACV) infection, while neurons are more susceptible. Interferon therapy successfully protects neurons from LACV-induced death in a cerebral organoid model.
A new study presents a minimally invasive procedure using focused ultrasound to reduce tremors and improve quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease. The treatment, known as MRgFUS thalamotomy, shows substantial improvement in 95% of patients, with significant reductions in tremor severity and quality of life.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham are exploring how mast cells play a role in DVT, a condition that affects tens of thousands of people in the UK each year. By studying mast cells in mice and humans, they hope to develop new medicines that can reduce the risk of bleeding while preventing the condition.
Researchers from VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research found that HMGB1 controls the actions of neutrophils, a specific type of immune cells, in skin wounds and that this is crucial for cancer initiation. Targeting this pathway could be beneficial in diabetic wound care and in patients suffering from skin blistering diseases.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that co-prescribing benzodiazepines with opioid agonist treatment increases the risk of overdose death by three-fold. Doctors should avoid this practice, especially for patients who have recently left treatment or continue to use opioid drugs.