A year-long trial of electronically-delivered prescribing feedback and online decision support for GPs reduced antibiotic prescribing for respiratory illnesses. Antibiotic use was reduced by 12%, with no increase in serious complications.
A study found that social stigmas surrounding HPV can make women anxious about their health and put them off cervical screening. The new HPV screening method aims to address these concerns by providing a more accurate diagnosis, reducing the risk of false positives, and improving patient confidence.
A University of Kansas researcher found that streetcar systems do not solely drive development activity, with incentives playing a significant role. The study's results suggest that the association between streetcars and development is context- and place-specific.
A new study found that hearing impairment accelerates cognitive decline with age, but higher education reduces the impact of milder hearing losses. The researchers tracked 1,164 participants over 24 years and discovered that social engagement did not affect the association between hearing loss and cognitive decline.
Researchers have taken snapshots of how C60 carbon molecules react to extremely short pulses of intense infrared light, transforming its shape from round to elongated. The findings may lead to new applications in ultrafast, light-controlled electronics.
Research led by UT Austin found that Ceres' crust keeps cryomagma liquid for up to 10 million years after impact, contradicting earlier estimates. The discovery helps scientists understand primary forces driving volcanic activity and could shed light on Europa's potential for life.
A recent study published in JAACAP found that young children who express suicidal thoughts have a better understanding of what it means to die. Children as young as four years old who expressed suicidal ideation demonstrated a solid understanding of death concepts, including the possibility of violent causes.
A study found that pregnant women who underwent gallbladder removal during pregnancy had longer hospital stays, increased readmissions, and higher rates of preterm delivery compared to those who delayed the operation until after childbirth. The researchers recommend waiting as long as possible for pregnant women with symptomatic gallst...
Recent advances in understanding Parkinson's disease have identified promising developments to slow or stop its progression. Researchers explore new therapeutic targets, targeting non-motor features of the disease, and repurposing drugs for their potential disease-modifying properties.
Researchers found that low-calorie diets can protect the brain from neuronal cell death associated with diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and cerebral vascular accident. Caloric restriction also improved insulin secretion and increased mitochondria efficiency in cells.
Researchers have made significant progress with UVA's artificial pancreas, a device that automates blood-sugar level monitoring and insulin injection. The International Diabetes Closed Loop Trial has provided early results from its nationwide clinical trial, examining the algorithm's use in smartphone apps and embedded devices.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have created a more efficient method for reprogramming induced pluripotent stem cells, reducing the process from four factors to one. The new system combines genetic cocktails into a single measles virus vector, making it faster and safer for clinical translation.
A new diagnostic technique using infrared imaging and proteomics has identified a protein biomarker called AHNAK2 that can accurately distinguish between bladder cancer and benign inflammation. The technique has been shown to have high sensitivity and specificity in differentiating between various stages of bladder cancer.
Researchers develop new mathematical model to optimize geothermal heat exchanger design, ensuring energy efficiency and economic viability. The model avoids unrealistic assumptions, providing accurate predictions for long-term thermal response behavior.
Research from the University of Kent reveals that walking simulations are blurring art forms, creating a new genre with stories akin to reading a book. Games like Dear Esther engage players more than traditional video games, making it a fantastic way to tell a story.
The Earth's magnetic shield exhibits drum-like vibrations in response to strong impulses, as observed through NASA THEMIS satellite data. These findings have implications for understanding space weather and its potential effects on technology like power grids and GPS.
The USPSTF recommends providing counseling interventions to pregnant and postpartum women at increased risk of depression, or referring patients to those services. Depression is a common complication during pregnancy and after childbirth, affecting both women and children.
A study suggests that empty homes tax could generate income for local governments and reduce demand from foreign investors to increase housing affordability. Low-use properties are concentrated in desirable areas, where building more homes may not solve the problem.
Researchers found that packaging signals on the bird flu RNA genomes are incompatible with H3N2 viruses, limiting reassortment. However, low-level transmission of reassorted viruses was detected, particularly with H5N8 strains.
A machine learning approach predicts changes in material properties from straining the material, enabling the engineering of new materials with tailored properties. The technique has implications for industries such as communications, information processing, and energy.
A study published in Cell reveals that plants predominantly produce uneven, asymmetrical pollen grains for protection and not symmetrical patterns. This preference is due to the natural selection process which favors disordered, asymmetrical patterns over uniform ones.
Researchers from ORNL and Los Alamos National Laboratories demonstrated the effectiveness of metro-scale quantum key distribution (QKD) as a means of secure communication for the nation's electricity suppliers. QKD harnesses the randomness of quantum mechanics to authenticate and encrypt data.
A study by CDDEP researchers found that investing in an effective antibiotic for Staphylococcus aureus infections can save millions of lives during a pandemic. The value of such investment is estimated to be between $3 and $4 billion, highlighting the importance of conserving antibiotics in preparedness plans.
The Rhine-Main Universities Initiative Funding for Research supports the DeCoDeML network, combining expertise in deep continuous-discrete machine learning to tackle unresolved issues. Researchers from Mainz, Darmstadt, and Frankfurt will examine how machine learning can be made comprehensible to human understanding.
Researchers found that obstructive sleep apnea promotes a persistent low-intensity inflammatory state, damaging organs. This link could lead to more precise treatments, such as vitamin C or plant-derived antioxidants, to reverse inflammation and protect the body from future damage.
A recent study discovered similar genetic mutations in humans, dogs, and horses that could lead to new drug targets for a rare form of melanoma. The research compared cancer genomes across species to pinpoint key genes mutated in mucosal melanoma.
A new wave energy technology developed by University of Edinburgh and Italian engineers uses flexible rubber membranes to generate electricity from wave motion. The device has the potential to replace conventional designs and produce clean energy for thousands of homes, with potential deployment in Scottish waters within decades.
Researchers sequenced the genomes of human, canine, and equine mucosal melanoma tumours to identify key genes driving the disease. The study reveals genetic similarities between species, shedding light on why immunotherapies are ineffective for some patients with this rare type of cancer.
The study found that the Palu earthquake propagated unusually fast, identifying it as a supershear. Supershear earthquakes release more energy in a shorter time due to the rapid movement of the rupture along the fault.
Researchers have discovered fossilized spider eyes with a reflective tapetum, enabling the ancient spiders to hunt at night. The unique preservation of these features in Korean shale has provided valuable insights into the biology and diversity of extinct spider families.
A new study found that up to one-third of primary care physicians discussed breast cancer treatment options with patients. However, many reported notable gaps in their knowledge of these topics. The research highlights the importance of educating primary care providers on cancer treatment options and supporting them in making informed ...
A study found that individuals in recovery experiencing relapse dreams had more severe substance use histories. The frequency of these dreams decreased over time as the body adapted to abstinence.
Researchers at Linköping University created a hydrogel that mimics the natural environment of cells, allowing for the growth of human liver cells on microchips. This innovation has the potential to simplify early stages of drug development and replace animal experiments.
Researchers at Hollings Cancer Center have discovered a new sub-cellular complex called ceramidosomes, which form in the cell membrane and induce cancer cell death. The complexes are made up of lipid molecules called ceramide and two protein components, and their formation is integral to drug-induced cancer cell death.
A recent study calculates the ice thickness distribution and volume of over 215,000 glaciers worldwide, revealing that the combined ice volume currently stands at around 158,000 cubic kilometres. The largest glacier ice masses, primarily in the Arctic, account for nearly half of the global glacier ice volume.
A study by OHSU researchers found that insurance industry cost-control measures have restricted access to buprenorphine, a vital medication for treating opioid use disorder. The proportion of insurance plans offering buprenorphine without restrictions decreased from 89% in 2007 to 35% in 2018.
A recent study published in Political Psychology suggests that Euroscepticism is driven by more than just fear of immigration. Researchers found that opposition to supranationalism, or the transfer of power from national to international institutions, plays a significant role in shaping voters' attitudes towards Brexit and EU involvement.
Artificial leaves have been designed to mimic photosynthesis and convert carbon dioxide into fuel, with a proposed design using semi-permeable membranes to collect CO2 from the air. The system could produce significant amounts of carbon monoxide for synthetic fuels and reduce atmospheric CO2 levels by 10% within 100 meters.
A recent study by Bocconi University and University of Bath found that high pay dispersion in variable pay is associated with increased innovation, whereas low pay dispersion in fixed pay hinders it. The researchers measured the innovation output of US firms from 1992 to 2006 using patent data and citations received.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego discovered that breast tissue stiffening triggers multiple pathways to promote cancer cell formation. The study, published in PNAS, found that a subpopulation of mammary cells do not respond to stiffening, potentially leading to fewer or smaller primary tumors.
A new species of tarantula, Ceratogyrus attonitifer, was recently discovered in Angola with a distinctive 'horn' protruding from its back. The species is part of the horned baboon spider group and has been found to have a soft, characteristically longer 'horn', unlike other species in the same group.
Tropical Cyclone Gelena is being weakened due to strong westerly winds and wind shear, causing its rotation to be skewed. The storm is expected to dissipate in two days as it moves over cooler sea surface temperatures.
Researchers at University of Toledo have developed a mouse model that spontaneously develops type I diabetes and its complications, allowing for study of disease progression. The breakthrough has the potential to reshape how type I diabetes is studied and may lead to new treatments or a cure.
The WCS Climate Adaptation Fund has awarded grants to 13 US non-profit organizations implementing on-the-ground projects to help wildlife and ecosystems adapt to climate change. The funded projects, which span various geographies and ecosystems, aim to improve resistance to climate-induced loss of tree canopy, erosion, and invasive pests.
University of Michigan researchers develop a novel approach to teaching self-driving cars to recognize and predict pedestrian movements. They achieve this by analyzing humans' gait, body symmetry, and foot placement using cameras, LiDAR, and GPS data. The system can predict poses and future locations for one or several pedestrians up t...
A Texas A&M-led study reveals that estrogen can decrease insulin resistance and glucose production, reducing Type 2 diabetes incidences. The study highlights the importance of estrogen receptor signaling and Foxo1-mediated gluconeogenesis in regulating glucose homeostasis.
A group of neuroscientists calls for balanced reporting on sports-related head injuries to better understand chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) risk and prevalence. The medical community is still in the early stages of understanding CTE, with guidelines for assessment yet to be established.
Researchers from Université de Genève and NCCR in Chemical Biology create probes inspired by lobster cooking to visualize physical forces in action, enabling imaging of forces within organelles like mitochondria. This breakthrough allows scientists to study mechanobiology and revolutionize life sciences.
Chalmers researchers have devised a new method to study how single biological cells react to stressful situations, with potential applications in drug development and brewing better beer. By monitoring changes in compounds within yeast cells, they identified the production of glycerol as a response to stress.
A new study argues that recent magmatic activity must have occurred underneath the surface of Mars for liquid water to exist beneath the kilometer-and-a-half thick ice cap. The research suggests that volcanic activity in the planet's subsurface could be providing heat to generate liquid water today.
Researchers from Wake Forest University found that female Nazca boobies have a shorter lifespan due to their high reproductive activity. The study suggests that the females' efforts to raise their chicks and find new mates may contribute to their shorter lives.
The twin Van Allen Probes are starting a new phase of their exploration, lowering their orbits to gather data on the dynamic radiation belts. The spacecraft will eventually re-enter Earth's atmosphere, providing insight into how oxygen can degrade satellite instruments.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center found impaired insulin signaling in the brain negatively affects cognition, mood, and metabolism in Alzheimer's disease. The study used a novel mouse model to demonstrate the impact of disrupting insulin and IGF1 receptors on learning, memory, and mood.
A new study published in Environmental Research found that people living in drafty homes in low-income, urban communities are at a higher risk of respiratory health issues such as asthma. The study revealed that residents in homes with the highest air-exchange rates were more likely to report chronic cough and asthma-like symptoms.
Scientists at AAAS Annual Meeting explore ways to address unintended consequences of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the need for interdisciplinary approaches. Researchers discuss strategies for reducing tradeoffs between human well-being, nature conservation, and resource management.
A recent study found that humans are responsible for more than 25% of vertebrate deaths globally. The research analyzed 42,755 animal deaths and found that 28% were directly caused by humans. Larger animals and adults are more likely to be killed by humans.
New research confirms that President Trump and leaders like him are part of a long-term trend towards intuitive thinking in politics. The study found that low analytic thinking and high clout are becoming more common globally, particularly in the US and Canada.
Computer simulations of planet formation suggest that the presence of radioactive elements from a massive star may have created a wet system on Earth, while also forming ocean worlds in other systems. Researchers found that without these elements, the inner terrestrial planets of our solar system could be very dry and hostile.
A study at Binghamton University found that variation on the Oxytocin Receptor gene impacts marital quality by influencing how partners provide and receive support from each other. Couples with certain genotypes, particularly those associated with social deficits, reported lower satisfaction with their marriages.
A new study explores how an individual's genetics and brain activity correlate with altruistic behaviors directed toward romantic partners. The team found that pathways related to bonding in other animals showed up in humans, suggesting a link between empathy and altruism more generally.