A Dutch survey of swingers found that nearly half use recreational drugs during sex to prolong and intensify the experience. Women are more likely to use drugs than straight or bisexual men, but this practice increases the risk of unprotected sex.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a groundbreaking system for determining gene expression based on machine learning. The new method leverages chromatin biology and molecular features to identify expressible genes with high accuracy, providing a genetic 'Rosetta Stone' for biologists.
A new standardised tool has been developed to assess cognitive and language development in two-year-olds, using the Parent Report of Children's Abilities Revised (PARCA-R) questionnaire. The tool provides reliable scores for clinicians and parents to identify advanced or delayed development.
Research in mice suggests that physical manifestations of negative memories in the hippocampus could underlie cognitive symptoms of depression. Inhibiting these manifestations could be a future treatment route for depression.
A research team mapped the molecular structure of an aggressive protein aggregate that causes accelerated Alzheimer's disease. The study revealed variations in amyloid depositions and potential risk factors for spreading and amplification.
Researchers at Newcastle University have found that wind erosion is unlikely to be the primary cause of methane gas release on Mars. The team used high-resolution imagery and data to rule out wind erosion as a viable mechanism for producing detectable levels of methane in the Martian atmosphere.
A new study by researchers at UConn Health and Texas A&M University found that walnut consumption provided protection against experimentally-induced ulcerative colitis in mice. The study showed that walnuts reduced inflammation and enhanced the repair process of the colon, leading to less injury during an episode of ulcerative colitis.
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation reveals a previously unknown gut-brain connection that plays a key role in obesity caused by overeating. The research found that increased levels of gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) in the gut inhibit the action of leptin, leading to weight gain.
Researchers at Columbia University identified a neural circuit in the auditory cortex where cells' responses became specialized for learned songs. This flexibility helps birds adapt to new songs and offers clues about humans' ability to learn languages.
The study found that elephants change the structure of African tropical forests, increasing aboveground biomass by 26 to 60 tons per hectare. This process contributes to a corresponding increase in carbon storage, making the forests more resilient to climate change.
A California law that limits out-of-network doctor bills appears to be protecting patients from surprise medical bills, but has shifted bargaining leverage in favor of insurance plans. The law has also eroded the negotiating power of smaller physician groups, leading to consolidation among medical practices.
Researchers at USF's Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research have developed a novel treatment for age-related hearing loss, combining aldosterone supplements with anti-inflammatory medications. The treatment has shown promising results in pre-clinical trials on mice, slowing down or preventing age-linked hearing impairment.
Rice University scientists develop a unique two-dimensional material with sharp zigzag boundaries, showcasing promise for optoelectronics and advanced computing. The material's band gap can be tuned in a controllable way, opening up new avenues for research and potential applications.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia have identified a chemical that can improve communication between the body's smallest blood vessels and larger vessels, which is crucial for delivering oxygen to the heart muscle. By blocking an enzyme that inhibits this chemical, they found that it can reduce diastolic heart failure symptoms.
A new study found that nearly half of patients with UTIs were not tested for the infection, leading to unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions and increased risk of antibiotic resistance. The researchers argue that doctors need access to rapid diagnostics tests to accurately diagnose and treat UTIs.
Researchers extracted genetic programs for glycopeptide antibiotic production from Actinobacteria, revealing precursors date back over 1 billion years. The study shows that resistance co-evolved with production as a means of self-protection for producing bacteria.
Researchers at Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown discover a new psychophysical rule, Time-Intensity Equivalence in Discrimination (TIED), which links decision times to sound intensity. TIED is more stringent than Weber's Law, describing behavior with mathematical precision.
Researchers have developed a novel method to precisely detect and characterize genes in individual cells, enabling selective enrichment of selected molecules. This approach, called BART-Seq, addresses the challenge of detecting low-abundance gene transcripts and has potential applications in disease diagnosis and precision gene-editing.
A Brazilian health care system analysis found that women have a 90% increased risk for prescription of pill combinations known to produce reactions requiring medical attention. The study also revealed that one in four older adults over age 55 received drugs with an interaction, reaching one in three for ages 70-79.
Researchers found that wet basins are more effective at removing nitrate from the water by converting it to gaseous nitrogen. Designing basins to hold water from the beginning could decrease production of nitrous oxides and mitigate eutrophication in bodies of water.
A team of Australia-UK researchers identified the molecular machinery used by bacteria to resist chemicals, which could be repurposed to produce precursors for new polymers like nylon. This discovery sheds light on how bacteria develop resistance and may lead to the development of new antimicrobial agents.
New research reveals that reduced Arctic sea ice does not cause extreme cold winters, but rather is linked to changes in atmospheric circulation patterns. The correlation between reduced sea ice and cold winters occurs because both are driven by the same large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns.
A landmark study on coral reefs has collected data on over 2.5 million individual corals across 44 countries, revealing alarming rates of bleaching due to climate change, with researchers urging immediate action to protect reefs in the Indo-Pacific region.
Resistance to carbapenems and polymyxins is geographically widespread in Southeast Asia, with overlapping distributions in eight countries. The study highlights the urgent need for robust antimicrobial resistance surveillance and improved infection prevention and treatment practices globally.
A new smartphone app scans plants for signs of major diseases and one common pest, detecting them with a 90% successful rate. The app aims to link farmers to extension workers and satellite images to prevent production losses and support global disease control.
A new study found that young adults in Asia have the shortest sleep duration, averaging 6 hours and 30 minutes per night. The researchers suggest that cultural factors, such as high work demands and limited leisure time, contribute to this trend.
A new study from the University of Cincinnati found that Hispanic women have a higher likelihood of pregnancy than white women after receiving a kidney transplant. The study analyzed data from over 7,900 women and revealed a pregnancy rate of 21.4 per-thousand person years among Hispanic women.
An AI tool developed by USC computer science student Timothy Greer classifies song genres by analyzing lyrics and chords. The tool predicts 'Old Town Road' is country according to lyrics, rock according to chords, and pop when combining both. This method highlights the complexity of music perception and its relation to music construction.
Researchers from Kaunas University of Technology have developed a novel method to produce high-yield zinc oxide nanowires, enabling the mass production of electronic components. The new method improves solar cell efficiency by 6% and enables the creation of multifunctional gas sensors.
A new report from the University of East Anglia reveals that over-55s should prioritize physical activity to enjoy a fit and healthy retirement. The study found that many approaching retirement are in poor shape due to health problems, lack of motivation, and limited time.
Researchers found that bilirubin protects the brain against oxidative stress by regulating superoxide levels. The study suggests a novel therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases. Bilirubin's unique chemical structure allows it to neutralize harmful superoxide molecules.
Rutgers researchers analyzed data from over 3,000 Chinese Americans aged 60+, finding widespread psychological and social stressors associated with caregiving distress and intergenerational conflict. The study highlights the need for improved research participation and health equity among minority groups.
A new study published in PNAS reveals that the northern tropical dry trend may be a result of natural climate variability rather than human activities. The research team analyzed stalagmite records from southern Thailand and found millennial-scale decreases in regional rainfall, similar to other records from the northern tropics.
A team of researchers has discovered that Leishmania parasites exploit an intracellular transport mechanism to spread their virulence factors within infected host cells. The findings provide new insights into the disease's pathogenesis and could potentially lead to the development of new treatments or therapies.
A 72-year-old man experienced considerable pain, bleeding, and swallowing difficulties after his dentures got stuck in his throat during surgery. Despite multiple hospital visits and surgeries, he eventually recovered without further complications. The case highlights the importance of removing false teeth before general anesthetic.
A new Australian study found that treating insomnia separately can significantly improve symptoms of both conditions. People with co-occurring insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea reported great improvement to their sleep and health after six months, with about 50% improvement in global insomnia severity.
A new system detects abnormalities in elderly heart rates and temperatures, triggering drone-delivered first aid. The wearable device monitors vital signs wirelessly and quickly alerts caregivers via smartphone notifications.
Researchers developed a method to measure all phonons in graphene nanostructures, opening new possibilities for material design and optimization. This breakthrough technique uses high-resolution electron spectroscopy inside an electron microscope, resolving spatial and momentum vibrations.
A new study suggests that aspirin use can have varying effects on breast cancer patients depending on their DNA methylation profiles. Patients with methylated tumor promoters had a higher mortality risk, while those with unmethylated promoters saw a decrease in breast cancer-specific mortality.
A new diagnostic approach detects high-risk HPV infection and precancerous markers, improving the ability to diagnose cervical cancer in HPV-positive women. The test has a sensitivity of 97.3% and negative predictive value of 93.8%, making it a promising tool for cervical cancer triage.
New research found that Antarctic icebergs can weaken and delay the effect of Global Warming in the Southern Hemisphere. The study suggests that icebergs persist for years, cooling ocean waters and impacting currents by lowering ocean salinity.
Researchers at UC Riverside propose a new theory for Alzheimer's disease, pointing to lysosomal storage as the underlying cause. Long-lived proteins like beta-amyloid and tau undergo spontaneous modifications that make them undigestible by lysosomes, leading to cellular damage.
New research published in PNAS reveals that human epithelial cells form fractal-like branching structures under certain conditions, mirroring the self-assembly of particles suspended in a liquid. This discovery sheds light on tissue formation and cellular behavior.
A new study by Stanford SPARQ found that race affects investment judgments of asset allocators, contributing to disparities in the financial services industry. The research partnership aims to promote fairness by examining unconscious bias driving racial disparities.
Research published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that both general and abdominal obesity were strongly associated with mortality among Mexican adults. The study, which followed over 115,000 adults for up to 14 years, also found that waist-to-hip ratio was a major risk factor for premature death.
A study warns that large areas of tropics could vanish within 80 years if global dietary habits don't change, leading to widespread species loss. Replacing animal products with plant-based alternatives can reduce agricultural land use by 11%.
A new study by University of Michigan researchers reveals that Asian carp can survive and grow in larger portions of Lake Michigan than previously believed. The findings suggest that the fish can thrive in various diets, including detritus, and have suitable habitat volumes throughout the water column.
A retrospective cohort study in Australia found that areas with a higher number of fast food restaurants have more heart attacks. The study also found a strong association between the density of fast food outlets and the incidence of heart attack, with each additional outlet linked to four additional heart attacks per 100,000 people.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a new mouse model that mimics the effects of red blood cell transfusions on human infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The study found that severe anemia increases the risk of NEC after transfusion, and that free hemoglobin can trigger an immune response in the intestine.
Human research published in JNeurosci identified a specific target of antibodies implicated in lupus' neuropsychiatric symptoms. Brain cytoplasmic RNAs are targeted by the immune system in people with lupus, hindering cellular signaling and leading to seizures and cognitive impairments.
Scientists have discovered a rare, inherited gene mutation that significantly increases the risk of pancreatic and other cancers. The RABL3 mutation was found in a family with multiple relatives diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and zebrafish carrying the mutation also showed dramatically higher rates of cancer.
Researchers found that DNA methylation patterns can affect the impact of aspirin on mortality in women with breast cancer. Women with certain DNA characteristics who take aspirin before a breast cancer diagnosis may live longer, according to the study published in Cancer journal.
Researchers at Clemson University examine the effects of feral hogs and elephants on livestock and livelihoods, highlighting the importance of including non-traditional culprits in human-wildlife conflict discussions. They found that these species can cause significant damage to farming infrastructure and affect local communities' perc...
A pan-Canadian clinical trial will investigate a new way to treat metastatic breast cancer by making it impossible for breast cancer cells to manufacture proteins needed to be aggressive. The Dream Team, led by Nahum Sonenberg and Michael Pollak, aims to find ways to overcome translational dysregulation and prevent cancer spread.
Researchers from Lehigh University have found that songbirds prefer the scent of their own species over others, which could impact hybridization. The study, led by Amber Rice and Alex Van Huynh, used gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry to analyze natural oils produced by birds' uropygial glands.
Researchers discovered over 1,600 vulnerabilities in the Google Play Store's backend systems, exposing personal information and potentially mobile devices. An automated system called SkyWalker has been created to vet these servers and software library systems, helping developers improve app security.
Scientists developed a machine-learning method to analyze protein structures and predict pathogenic mutations. This approach helps identify disease-associated amino acid substitutions in membrane proteins, which account for 25-30% of all cellular proteins.
Researchers argue that robots must understand the reason behind their actions to work alongside people safely and effectively. This shift in thinking is necessary as automation increases and human-robot interaction grows.
A new USC study found that older adults are less distracted by negative information compared to younger adults. The researchers used a quickly presented sequence of images to examine how attention is affected by emotion. Older adults showed a selective bias toward positive information, prioritizing it over negative stimuli.
A new study by Massachusetts General Hospital finds that more than one in four US adults with diabetes were not diagnosed, while nearly one in three received inadequate care. Younger, female, and non-white adults were particularly affected by disparities in meeting treatment targets.