Physicists at JMU have successfully constructed a Quantum Point Contact (QPC) in topological HgTe quantum wells, allowing them to investigate potential interactions between the edge states. This breakthrough could lead to fundamental discoveries in topological nanostructures and innovative applications for information technology.
A new UK study finds that psychiatric diagnoses are seldom used as entry criteria for NHS mental health services, instead relying on broad clusters of difficulties and the specialist skills of staff. This challenges the long-held assumption that diagnoses are essential for accessing care, opening the way for alternative and more scient...
Flipons are sequences that alter DNA conformation, enabling cells to dynamically modify gene expression. This adaptable coding allows cells to change their response to environmental stressors, such as oxidative stress, which promotes Z-DNA flipon formation.
The study highlights seven key areas for further research, including integrating indigenous knowledge into research, understanding consumption patterns, and developing effective governance systems. The researchers emphasize the need for management and policy strategies that prioritize human well-being and biodiversity protection.
A pooled analysis of data from 30 studies found that anti-inflammatory agents were 52% more effective in reducing symptom severity and 79% more effective in eliminating symptoms than placebo. NSAIDs, omega 3 fatty acids, statins, and minocyclines were among the most effective agents.
Research finds that UK vets need special training to report suspected animal abuse, boosting their confidence and skills in overcoming client confidentiality and earning loss fears. The study suggests that perceived self-efficacy is a key factor in reporting animal abuse.
Scientists at the University of Bonn develop an algorithm that completes and interprets LiDAR scans to enable self-driving cars to anticipate potential hazards. The system uses a dataset of superimposed point clouds to improve scene understanding, which can lead to significant improvements in autonomous driving safety.
A team of researchers has identified a fingerprint of oxidizing fluids in ancient subducted oceanic crust found on the Greek island of Sifnos. The discovery, published in Nature Geoscience, reveals that garnet crystals can preserve zonation of iron isotopic composition from early formed core to later forming rims.
A new US study reveals that most Americans' free time is spent on screen activities, not exercise. Despite perceived lack of leisure time, physical activity rates remain low, with only 53% meeting aerobic guidelines.
Astronomers using ESO's SPHERE instrument have observed Hygiea, the fourth largest asteroid in the belt, and found it could be classified as a dwarf planet due to its spherical shape. The team's observations put Hygiea's diameter at over 430 km.
The study reveals that repeated genomic regions expanded during human evolution and associate with differential gene expression in human and chimpanzee brain cell types. Expanded tandem repeats may hold clues to mechanisms driving their expansion and potential roles in human development.
Researchers discovered that astroturfing campaigns rely on human coordination and behavior to evade detection. By analyzing Twitter accounts and patterns of activity, the team identified a small fraction of 'bots' involved in these campaigns.
New research from the University of Illinois at Chicago found that simultaneous masking significantly impacts care providers' ability to respond to medical alarms. The study, published in Human Factors, highlights the danger of hundreds of alarms daily being indistinguishable.
A study analyzing pollen samples and radiocarbon dates found that human land use changes drove global soil erosion rates, starting around 4,000 years ago. In 70% of studied watersheds, land cover change was the main driver of soil erosion.
A new study finds community-based health programs improved healthcare for mothers and newborns in rural Nigeria, Ethiopia and India but inequities persist. Despite progress, many newborns still lack early postnatal care.
A new study by an international team of scientists identified key knowledge gaps to overcome biodiversity loss and achieve ecosystem sustainability. The research calls for more relevant, solutions-focused research that addresses the social-ecological crisis.
New research quantifies governance pathways at national level, finding it will take around 2050 for global weak governance to improve. The study's results have far-reaching implications for sustainable development and adapting to climate change impacts, particularly in vulnerable countries.
Researchers have developed a new strategy to enhance catalytic activity using tungsten suboxide as a single-atom catalyst, significantly improving hydrogen evolution reaction performance. The study found that the support effect of tungsten suboxide enhances platinum's mass activity for hydrogen evolution by up to 16.3 times.
A new MIT system uses computer-vision techniques to detect and classify subtle changes in shadows on the ground, enabling autonomous vehicles to quickly avoid collisions with other objects. The system outperforms traditional LiDAR technology by more than half a second in real-world scenarios.
Researchers at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin developed a new diagnostic technique using tomoelastography to visualize liver tumor mechanical properties. The study found that hepatic malignancies contain tissues with both stiff and fluid properties, contrary to previous assumptions.
Researchers created nano-motors composed of platinum and gold to study movement against currents. The motors' tilt determined their movement, with tilted ones moving against the current by using a front-first downward tilt.
A recent study found that people with obesity share similar personality profiles with those with addictive behaviors, including uncontrolled eating. This suggests that obesity treatments may benefit from adopting methods used in addiction recovery to improve self-control.
A new study uses smartphone accelerometer data to measure postoperative physical activity and its impact on recovery. The research team found that patients who experienced complications after surgery had significantly lower daily activity compared to those without complications.
Researchers have discovered how certain proteins orchestrate repair of damaged DNA by building a three-dimensional scaffold that concentrates special repair proteins. This discovery has significant implications for understanding how DNA damage causes disease and designing treatments for patients with unstable DNA.
Researchers found that increased mercury levels in the environment contributed to the mass extinction of three out of four species on Earth 201 million years ago. The study suggests a cocktail effect of CO2, global warming, and toxic substances like mercury, challenging the traditional theory of greenhouse gas-induced climate change.
The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) has begun testing its capabilities, capturing light from distant galaxies and preparing to map 35 million galaxies across 1/3 of the sky. DESI aims to study 10 million stars in our galaxy, the Milky Way, tackling one of physics' most profound problems: the nature of dark energy.
Researchers developed a novel genomic analysis method for classifying Yersinia strains, revealing unexpected biodiversity and new species. The tool enables accurate identification of pathogenicity, guiding patient monitoring and public health initiatives.
New research reveals that the shape and architecture of collagen and elastin fibers in lungs affects their elasticity. Crimped fibers exhibit greater flexibility, while straight fibers are stiffer.
Researchers discovered that Pixantrone interacts with cancer DNA by prising apart the double helix structure and compacting its backbone. This mechanism could lead to the development of more effective cancer drugs with reduced harm to healthy cells.
Scientists at UVA aim to uncover the origin and development of coronary heart disease using a genetic variation associated with ID3 gene, with potential for personalized treatments based on patient's genotype
Researchers at Rice University discovered dynamic molecular signaling waves that prompt cell differentiation and trigger the formation of germ layers in human embryos. The study counters previous theories by showing gradients do not exist in stem-cell colonies and the process is more dynamic than previously appreciated.
A study reveals that protected areas worldwide are not reducing anthropogenic pressure on natural habitats, with chronic underfunding and local community disengagement identified as key factors. Satellite data analysis found increases in human encroachment in over 90% of global regions, particularly in the tropics.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new synthesis method to create polymers that can break down more readily in the body and environment. By adding a novel type of building block, they were able to create polymers with easier degradability under biologically relevant conditions.
Research in mouse neurons reveals that misfolded tau protein can quickly spread between neurons without being immediately harmful. Early therapeutic intervention targeting the initial accumulation of tau may halt Alzheimer's disease progression.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University found that children with autism exhibit variable and idiosyncratic gaze patterns when watching social interaction movies. This new method has high sensitivity and specificity for detecting ASD cases, making it a promising tool for early detection and assessing treatment responses.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi play a crucial role in plant thriving by providing up to 80% of the nutrients and water plants need to grow. The study analyzed over 17,000 trait observations from nearly 3,000 woody plant species and found that these fu...
Gabapentinoid prescriptions for adults with cancer grew from 3.3% to 8.3% between 2005 and 2015, with total prescriptions increasing from 1.2 million to 3.5 million. Further study is needed to understand the effectiveness and risks of gabapentinoids in treating cancer pain.
Researchers suggest that trophy hunting undermines biodiversity conservation efforts and instead offer land-use and ownership reforms, diversified tourism, and environmental investments as more effective solutions. This approach aims to benefit and empower local communities, rather than just generating economic benefits.
A University of Washington study found that children whose parents used marijuana during adolescence are more likely to use marijuana and other substances, while those from non-using families have better grades, according to lead author Marina Epstein.
A new study published in the journal Geology reveals that cold-water corals on the Namibian shelf have been extinct for over 4,500 years due to low oxygen contents. The researchers attribute this extinction to a shift in the Benguela upwelling system and its associated intensification of the oxygen minimum zone.
Competitors' momentum can lower a player's chance of winning, especially when an opponent exhibits rising status. Players perceive more threat and commit errors like double faults when facing competitors with steady rank progress, suggesting that status momentum negatively impacts performance.
A new study links global consumer markets to habitat loss for rare species in the Cerrado savannah, finding that over half of the impact is attributed to food and products consumed outside Brazil. The study reveals specific links between consumer countries, traders, soy production, and habitat loss.
A study identified two types of genetic variants in the PM20D1 gene that regulate its expression in adipocytes, with one variant acting as an on/off switch and another similar to a dimmer switch; these variations are associated with obesity risk.
A recent study uses whole-genome sequencing to understand the evolutionary history of an XDR-TB strain that emerged in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The research identifies key factors contributing to its spread, including HIV coinfection and human migration, highlighting the importance of early detection and containment strategies.
The US Army has awarded Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) a $954,566 grant to study the impact of exercise on Parkinson's disease. The research aims to determine whether exercise can prevent or delay symptoms and provide a non-invasive therapeutic strategy for patients.
A new bioinformatics tool, MHcut, reveals that microhomology-mediated end joining is more common in humans than previously thought. Using this tool and commercial genome-editing technology, researchers created precise gene mutations to model diseases, providing insights into rare and orphan diseases.
Researchers have discovered a new role for Argonaute proteins in the nucleus, where they bind to enhancer regions on DNA to regulate gene expression. This finding adds to our understanding of the RNA interference pathway, which plays a crucial role in silencing specific genes.
A study by Simon Fraser University researchers found that adopting risk assessment tools leads to fewer incarcerations while maintaining public safety. The tools provide a structured process for predicting violence likelihood, resulting in more accurate predictions than relying on intuition.
Scientists have identified genes associated with a common depression symptom: lack of motivation. This finding could lead to new diagnostic methods and targeted treatments for depression. The study uses mouse models to understand brain changes related to specific symptoms.
Researchers found that impurities swept away in deeper water decrease in size with surface elasticity, while counterflows cancel out fluid movement. In shallow water, the boundary becomes blurred, revealing new processes in well-studied physics experiments.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute identified a key mechanism controlling tissue structure, which could help identify drugs that make it harder for cancer cells to spread. The study found that collisions between cells help create different tissue structures, some of which aid cancer progression and can be targeted by drugs.
Researchers discovered that the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-36? plays a crucial role in protecting against the spread of herpes virus to the nervous system. This finding could lead to improved therapeutics for genital herpes, affecting millions of women worldwide.
Scientists developed a simple method for producing nanometer-sized corundum with high porosity at room temperature. The process involves milling a powder in a ball mill for a few hours, resulting in thermodynamically stable nanoparticles. This breakthrough reduces energy and costs associated with traditional production methods.
New research at Iowa State University reveals that Title IX investigators are using untested techniques in interviews, which may hinder investigations. The study suggests the use of science-based interviewing strategies to improve the effectiveness of investigative interviews.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found a significant association between borderline personality traits and increased cardiovascular risk. Researchers recommend screening patients with BPD for cardiovascular risks to address potential health concerns.
A HHU-led research consortium aims to eliminate the deadly disease bacterial blight in rice, a staple crop for over half of the world's population. The team has developed resistant rice varieties and a diagnostic kit to combat the disease, which can devastate smallholder farmers' crops.
Weiqiang Chen, an assistant professor at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, has been awarded a $1.7 million NIH grant to develop personalized approaches to CAR-T cell therapy for cancer treatment. The grant will support the development of microfluidic systems to model disease environments and study cell interactions.
A study from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business found that players perform worse against opponents with rising rankings due to 'status momentum', which affects their mental game. This theory counters the widely debated 'hot hand' concept, suggesting a player's positive momentum can heighten their own performance.
A new study found that women surgical residents are more likely to experience mistreatment, including verbal abuse, sexual harassment, and pregnancy/childcare discrimination, leading to higher burnout rates. The study also revealed that 5.3% of women surgical residents had suicidal thoughts in the last year compared to 3.9% of men.
A cost-effectiveness analysis suggests that individuals with new diagnoses of major depression should have access to both antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy, as the costs and benefits are equivalent after five years. This study provides insights into treatment decisions and could inform future care and insurance coverage.