A new study created three games for level three and higher semi-autonomous vehicles, which can play with other players nearby. The researchers evaluated the games using a virtual reality driving simulator and participant feedback, finding that participants rated the games highly in immersion and enjoyed playing with strangers.
A study of over 1,000 elderly individuals reveals that statin use is not associated with memory loss or cognitive decline. In fact, statins may even slow down cognitive decline in individuals at risk of dementia.
Researchers developed an AI system named SHMnet to analyze and assess damage in metallic structures, achieving a flawless identification record. The system has the potential to provide reliable, accurate, and affordable monitoring of bridges, towers, dams, and other metal structures.
A new guideline from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care recommends against routine screening for thyroid dysfunction in nonpregnant adults without symptoms or risk factors. The evidence suggests that this type of screening has no health benefits and may lead to unnecessary testing, medication, and follow-up appointments.
A Danish study found that teenagers with cleanliness rituals and poor insights into their condition are more likely to struggle with OCD despite standard cognitive behavioural therapy. Almost 60% of the patients experienced a worrying relapse after three years.
A new paper by J. Ryan Lamare found that hiring a lawyer in arbitration doesn't guarantee better outcomes for employees, as employers can also hire lawyers to counteract positive effects
A new study by the University of Manchester reveals a strong link between borderline personality disorder (BPD) and childhood trauma. The research analyzed data from over 5,000 people across 42 international studies, finding that 71.1% of those with BPD reported at least one traumatic childhood experience.
Researchers found that women following healthful dietary patterns had lower risk of decline in hearing sensitivity. The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, suggests that eating a healthy diet may help prevent or delay hearing loss.
The American Thoracic Society has published a new clinical guideline for the treatment and prevention of drug-resistant tuberculosis, emphasizing the use of all-oral regimens. The guideline also recommends treatment for all contacts of MDR-TB patients and provides evidence-based guidance for pregnant women with MDR-TB.
A nationwide study led by University of Wisconsin Oshkosh researcher Jeremiah Bohr finds that high energy bills can force households to reduce spending on necessities, leading to increased risk of poverty. The study emphasizes the importance of energy assistance and efficiency for low-income households.
Researchers from Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies propose a new framework for understanding same-sex behavior in animals, arguing that these behaviors are not costly but rather neutral and advantageous. They suggest that these tendencies likely evolved in the earliest forms of sexual behavior and may be more common than ...
A study of over 300 transgender children found that their gender identity is as strong as that of cisgender children, regardless of how long they have lived in their assigned gender. This suggests that transgender children may be self-socializing to learn how to 'be' their current gender.
Researchers have discovered that balancing elementary steps in alkaline hydrogen evolution reactions can improve electrocatalytic performance. By designing nanocrystals with tunable Ni/NiO heterosurfaces, the team found that a balanced composition ratio is crucial for promoting alkaline HER performance.
A study reveals a decline in forest carbon storage time, hindering forests' ability to absorb and re-emit carbon. Forests are crucial for regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, and increased tree mortality is contributing to this decline.
The new invention can efficiently convert low-grade heat to electricity, reducing greenhouse gas emission and cutting primary energy wastage. The Direct Thermal Charging Cell (DTCC) boasts a conversion efficiency of over 3.5%, surpassing existing technologies.
A recent study at the University of Virginia has made a groundbreaking discovery about fertilization, revealing that sperm and eggs fuse in a dynamic process where both play an active role. The research may lead to new treatments for infertility, including male contraceptives and improved IVF success rates.
Researchers have discovered that peacock mantis shrimp prefer the taste of white meat over red tissue from disco clams, suggesting that color may not be a warning signal. The study aims to determine whether mantis shrimp can learn to fear the color red and its potential role in evolution.
A recent NIH-funded study found that children born to mothers on HIV therapy containing the drug efavirenz were 2-2.5 times more likely to have microcephaly and experience developmental delays compared to those on other antiretroviral drugs.
High helicopter parenting can result in 'hothouse children' who lack autonomy, struggle with anxiety and internalizing problems, and may repeat their parents' behaviors.
Researchers Chris Roh and Morteza Gharib found that honeybees can harness the power of their wetted wings as hydrofoils to propel themselves forward. By generating a net horizontal momentum imparted to water, bees overcome drag forces and achieve efficient locomotion on water's surface.
A team of physicists has discovered a quadruple potential well in ferroelectric copper indium thiophosphate (CIPS), increasing the number of options in ferroelectric switching. This finding could lead to new operations and applications in data storage and electronics.
A study by Rutgers University researchers found that social media platforms' boundaries between legitimate and improper user behavior are vague and inconsistent. The authors argue that these rules often reflect the companies' commercial interests rather than a coherent understanding of manipulation and deception.
The 'Half Earth' conservation proposal aims to spare 50% of the planet for nature, but its impact on human populations is significant. A study estimates that over 1 billion people would be directly affected, primarily in middle-income countries and wealthy nations.
Google's Relightables system allows users to record someone then view them from any viewpoint and lighting condition, removing the need for a green screen. The system captures reflectance information on a person and records while they are moving freely within the volume, enabling relighting in arbitrary environments.
Researchers studied traditional Khasi building techniques for living root bridges, which can reach over 50 meters in length and withstand centuries. The bridges' complex root structure provides stable and safe passage, while also serving as a natural cooling system for cities.
A national REDD+ program in Guyana reduced tree cover loss by 35%, equivalent to 12.8 million tons of avoided carbon emissions. However, tree cover loss increased significantly after carbon payments ended, highlighting the importance of continuous forest protection measures.
Researchers found that local grassland plant diversity increased significantly over time but incompletely recovered, while plant productivity did not significantly recover. After 1-91 years of abandonment, fields had 38-73% of the plant diversity and 34-53% of the plant productivity compared to untouched land.
TARA Biosystems' human heart-on-a-chip technology shows promise in predicting preclinical systolic and diastolic in vivo observations for novel cardiac drug MYK-491. The platform uses human induced pluripotent stem cells to create physiologically relevant cardiac tissues.
Professor Muzlifah Haniffa has made significant contributions to biomedical science, including mapping the maternal-fetal interface and discovering new immune cells in the skin. Her work aims to improve understanding of health and disease, particularly in childhood kidney cancer.
Researchers used virtual reality to test how humans remember positions in space with distorted grid cell patterns. In trapezoidal environments, participants were worse at learning positions than in square environments, and their memories remained distorted even when no longer in the environment.
NASA's analysis of Typhoon Kalmaegi's cloud top temperatures revealed the strongest storms are located over Luzon and northern Philippines. Heavy rain is expected due to these strong storm systems, posing a threat to the region.
A team of researchers at Penn State developed a way to control the direction of self-propelled protocells using enzymes that catalyze chemical reactions. The protocells can move towards or away from specific chemical signals, enabling targeted drug delivery and reducing the amount of medication required.
A high-protein diet may boost chronic kidney disease and increase the risk of de novo kidney diseases, says a new study. Experts warn that patients with diabetes or obesity who follow a high-protein diet may be at risk of severe kidney damage.
A new 3D printing technique harnesses the power of visible light to create 'living' 4D materials with controlled polymerisation, enabling objects to transform their shape in response to conditions. The technology has numerous potential applications, including recycling and biomedical uses.
Researchers used moss (Haplocladium microphyllum) to monitor N deposition rates and sources in the Yangtze River Delta. They found a significant linear relationship between moss N content and wet N deposition rate, with decreasing trends from urban to rural areas.
Researchers found that certain vegetable and/or meat broths can curb the growth of sexually immature malaria parasites by more than 50% in lab tests. Five broths were effective at stopping disease-causing parasites, with two showing comparable activity to a leading antimalarial drug.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet identified antisense oligonucleotide therapies as a new possible treatment option for progeria. In mice and human cells, the treatments showed promising results by reducing telomeric non-coding RNA and improving cell division.
A study found that recreational fishing in Wisconsin's walleye lakes contributes to declining fish stocks, with overharvesting reaching 40% in some areas. The research suggests that fisheries managers should consider production rates instead of abundance alone to set more effective regulations.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered a unique bacterial regulatory mechanism called T-boxes, which facilitate basic functioning in bacteria. Understanding the structure of these elements could lead to designing targeted antibiotics, offering hope against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Research reveals that only one LDL subclass causes significant damage, while others are harmless. Accurate diagnosis using LDL subclass composition could improve cardiovascular disease rates.
Researchers studied a small, toothless beak-like structure in prehistoric birds from the Cretaceous period. The predentary, found only in ancient ornithuromorphs, may have aided prey capture with proprioceptive capability and kinetic movement.
David Julian McClements, a UMass Amherst distinguished professor, received the 2019 Nils Foss Excellence Prize for his groundbreaking research on functional foods and nanotechnology. The award will support new equipment and investigation in areas like plant-based foods and nano-enabled nutraceuticals.
Researchers used fluorescent gel to test vaccine effectiveness in wild vampire bats, showing a 2.6-fold increase in population-level immunity compared to conventional non-spreadable vaccines. The study suggests a strategic switch from poisoning to vaccination could lead to a dramatic reduction in rabies across Latin America.
A team of scientists has discovered 79 new types of bacteria with potential to produce unique antibiotics. The researchers, led by Christian Jogler, found that these Planctomycetes have complex lifestyles and the ability to produce small molecules like antibiotics.
Researchers tested heat tolerance in 5 aphid species against their endosymbionts' sensitivity to heat. Heat exposure reduced survival and reproduction in some species, while enhancing fecundity in others.
A middle-aged man developed severe lung inflammation after introducing feather-filled bedding into his home, prompting doctors to sound the alarm about the potential risk. Repeated exposure to bird feathers can lead to irreversible scarring of lung tissue, highlighting the importance of identifying this condition promptly.
A Drexel study reveals that increasing vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) outbreaks lead to an uptick in state-level legislation restricting exemptions from childhood vaccinations. Researchers found that pro-vaccine bills are more likely to become law, suggesting increased awareness and advocacy following media coverage.
Researchers at Temple University Health System standardized the definition of neighborhood mass shootings and found 46 incidents in Philadelphia from 2006-2015. The majority of victims were black males under 25, and most events received limited media coverage.
Research reveals an invisible world of organic molecules in freshwater ecosystems that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change could increase the diversity of these molecules by 1.5-2.7 times, leading to higher emissions.
The mission detected 54 impacts from micrometeoroids, mostly from short-period comets with Jupiter-determined orbits. The findings help refine dust models used in various studies, including planet formation and spacecraft impact risks.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have identified gene regulatory elements that can help produce 'designer' plants, which could lead to improvements in food crops. The team's findings suggest that targeting these elements for editing offers a more refined tool than editing genes.
A study by University of Arizona researcher Ashley LeBaron found that religious involvement can both relieve and worsen financial stress. On one hand, religion can reduce materialism, bring monetary blessings, and foster a positive outlook on financial struggles. On the other hand, it can also impose increased financial obligations, re...
A study examined hospital care disparities among homeless and non-homeless adults hospitalized for cardiovascular conditions in New York, Massachusetts, and Florida. The analysis found that homeless patients experienced lower procedure rates and higher in-hospital death rates.
Researchers propose a link between microbial infections and various cancers, centered around the mucin protein MUC1. The protein's dual role in combating bacterial attacks and triggering inflammation processes may contribute to malignancy.
Researchers from Arizona State University uncover the structure and function of plant telomerase RNA, a 'missing link' between ciliates and humans. This discovery may hold promise for extending human lifespan and improving health in elderly individuals by understanding the regulation of telomerase enzyme.
Researchers at Children's National Hospital have developed virus-specific T-cells that neutralize six viruses, including CMV and EBV, in patients with primary immune deficiency diseases. The treatment shows promise in preventing and treating multiple viral infections, with partial clinical improvement in critically ill patients.
A new study from Vanderbilt University presents a compelling roadmap for capturing multiband observations of gravitational waves emitted by intermediate-mass black holes. This could help fill in the gaps in our understanding of these enigmatic objects, allowing scientists to 'hear the entire song' when it comes to black holes.
A team of researchers from TROPOS and Universities in Germany, Austria, and Finland have discovered a new reaction pathway for dimethyl sulfide, challenging current knowledge on its degradation. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of the Earth's sulfur cycle and climate modeling.
The ORION-10 trial shows inclisiran significantly lowers LDL cholesterol in patients taking statin drugs, reducing heart attack and stroke risk. The medication's excellent safety profile and convenient dosing schedule make it a promising treatment option.
Tiny robots equipped with magnets are steered through arteries to break up blood clots using controlled rotating magnetic fields. This non-invasive method has the potential to improve patient comfort and reduce the risk of infection, making it a promising alternative to current treatments.