Researchers have discovered fossils in the Catskill region that suggest the transition to modern forests began earlier than believed, with primitive trees showing extensive root systems dating back 386 million years. The findings point to a complex evolution of forest ecosystems during the Devonian Period.
A KAIST research team created a highly sensitive wearable pressure sensor for continuous health monitoring. The sensor overcomes issues of limited stretchability and signal drifting with its integration of liquid metal, achieving an extremely low detection limit and enhanced pressure sensitivity.
Scientists reveal key details about how sodium channels power heartbeats and respond to heart rhythm drugs. The study provides a blueprint for understanding cardiac sodium channels, revealing characteristics that distinguish them from other ion channels.
Some native plant species can grow aggressively, outcompeting other native species and forming dense monocultures, resulting in ecosystem disruptions. Excessive growth of aquatic plants can inhibit water movement and negatively impact flood control operations.
The consortium will conduct Phase 1-4 vaccine and treatment trials, including human challenge trials. The leadership group will prioritize candidate vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics to test in clinical trials.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory propose most complete picture to date of metal-insulator transition in transition metal oxides, enabling improved tuning and control for low-power and ultrafast microelectronics. The study reveals that size of vegetable ion within crystal structure affects transition temperature, making materi...
Researchers have found that alloy metal nanoparticles facilitate faster carbon nanotube growth by attracting more active metal atoms to the growth front. This leads to a larger carbon concentration and quicker addition of carbon atoms, preventing precursor accumulation around the nanoparticle.
A recent analysis reveals higher mortality rates among Hispanic and Asian patients undergoing dialysis in the US territories compared to their counterparts in the 50 US states. The study highlights the need for research into potential kidney disease-related disparities in these territories.
The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) has acquired JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery and selected Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. as the new publisher, launching the new title Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine in January 2020.
A new computational model suggests that the human gut microbiome follows a four-level food web, with energy flowing from microbes that consume nutrients in food eaten by humans, to those that eat nutrients produced by these microbes. The model predicts systematic changes in species composition along the length of the gut.
The MIT-developed model uses anonymized credit card transactions and quarterly reports to predict company earnings, outperforming human analysts on 57% of predictions. The researchers' method tackles the 'small data' problem by combining noisy signals with traditional financial data.
Researchers propose a new theory that iron particles fall from the molten outer core and accumulate on the inner core, creating piles up to 200 miles thick. This phenomenon could help explain seismic wave anomalies and provide insights into the Earth's interior composition and behavior.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 randomized clinical trials found evidence suggesting acupuncture and acupressure can reduce cancer pain. The studies showed varied but generally positive effects on pain reduction, with some suggesting improved outcomes in patients receiving acupuncture or acupressure.
A host sensor called AhR helps the immune system respond to bacterial infections by detecting and adapting to quorum sensing signals. This allows for tailored defense mechanisms against highly resistant pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
A new model for the evolution of mating systems focuses on genetically determined behaviors, competition among different behavioral strategies, and social interactions. The conflict between cooperative and competitive behaviors drives evolutionary transitions from one mating system to another.
Researchers have designed a silicon-based chip-integrated light source that can transform infrared wavelengths into visible wavelengths, enabling highly miniaturized photonic instrumentation. The new optical parametric oscillator (OPO) light source simultaneously generates near-infrared wavelengths for telecommunication applications.
A new social-ecological systems monitoring framework has been implemented to uncover drivers of coral reef conservation success, incorporating both social and ecological indicators. The framework, developed from Elinor Ostrom's work, sheds light on local coral reef management contexts, resource use, and stakeholders' perceptions.
A new study found substantial variation in how languages conceptualize emotions across thousands of languages, with patterns emerging from colexification. Language families in close geographic proximity share more similar views on emotion than distant ones, highlighting the importance of culture and common ancestry.
A recent study found that biodiversity in the Camargue has substantially changed, with declines in grasshoppers, crickets, and amphibians detected. The research also revealed increases in vascular plants and some bird species, but highlights the failure of current protection measures to safeguard certain taxa.
Researchers discover a potential treatment for Parkinson's disease dyskinesias, a devastating side effect of long-term treatment. HU-308 reduces involuntary movements and improves symptoms in mice, offering a safer alternative to medicinal cannabis.
A new study analyzes UK cities' air pollution concentrations, revealing some perform better than expected due to dispersal. Cities like Milton Keynes and Stoke-on-Trent benefit from spacious layouts, while densely populated areas like Luton struggle with pollution concentration.
A new study led by Christine B. Ambrosone found that breast cancer patients taking antioxidants during chemotherapy had a 41% increased risk of disease recurrence and a similar but weaker risk of death. Patients using vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acid supplements also showed poorer outcomes.
A meta-analysis of 250 studies reveals that approximately 1.4 billion people worldwide, or 19%, are exposed to Toxocara. The prevalence rates vary greatly between regions, with highest rates in Africa and East Asia.
A recent study from the University of Alberta suggests that many cancers, diabetes, and Alzheimer's diseases have a genetic contribution of no more than 5-10%. The research highlights the importance of metabolites, chemicals, proteins, or the microbiome in determining disease risk rather than genes.
A new study has found that Canadian First Nations communities with higher socio-economic advantages, educational opportunities, and social support have lower cardiac risk factors. In contrast, communities with difficulty accessing healthcare or affordable prescription medicines have a greater burden of cardiac risk factors.
Researchers found evidence of three unique root systems, including a palm tree-like tree and a tree called Archaeopteris, which shares characteristics with modern seed plants. This discovery suggests that the transition toward modern forests began earlier than previously thought, around 385 million years ago.
Researchers developed a new classification system for tumors based on genome sequencing, assigning patients to one of sixteen groups. The system provides important information for diagnosis and treatment, including potential responses to immunotherapy.
A second ancient lungfish has been discovered in Africa, adding to the understanding of evolving aquatic life forms over 400 million years ago. The new genus, Isityumzi mlomomde, was found at high latitudes and represents a significant finding for the study of Western Gondwana.
Researchers identified secondary and tertiary fission clusters in young asteroid families formed by collision. The discovery challenges the long-held view that fission clusters and collisional families are distinct.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have mapped three-dimensional surfaces of exceptional points, a phenomenon found to have applications in microwave, optical, and mechanical technologies. This discovery has the potential to enhance sensing capabilities and minimize unwanted interference in information processing systems.
A study of pregnant women found that those who ate at night and consumed lower-quality diets were more likely to retain five kilogrammes or more after giving birth. Practising night eating along with low diet quality demonstrated the greatest likelihood of substantial postpartum weight gain and retention.
Most (93%) mobile apps for suicide prevention and depression management fall short of international clinical guidelines, which recommend six evidence-based strategies. Only a fraction of apps provide the full set of strategies, highlighting the need for responsible design and creation of guidelines for these apps.
A recent study found that one in three children affected by the outbreak are yet to receive treatment, highlighting the need for urgent government intervention. The average age of children affected is just 3 years old, and most cases were transmitted through reused needles and contaminated blood products.
Researchers have developed a forecasting system using deep learning algorithms to predict shellfish toxicity, enabling the industry to prepare and adjust harvest timing. The system has shown high accuracy in predicting oncoming toxicity events, which can cause significant disruptions to the state's seafood industry.
Researchers have found that a balance between neutrophils and T cells can accurately predict which patients will respond to immunotherapy. A clinical trial is underway to test a drug that reduces neutrophil levels in tumors, boosting the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors.
Researchers find gene drives more efficient than releasing immune mosquitoes in controlling mosquito populations spreading malaria parasites. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of gene drives in driving mosquito populations to extinction, with some mutations hindering their effectiveness.
Combining two rapid diagnostic tests effectively diagnoses chronic Chagas disease in the field, showing a sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 96.1%. High prevalence of infection was also observed in the region, highlighting the potential for these tests to detect infected individuals.
Researchers at Penn Medicine used MRI scans to characterize tumor heterogeneity and predict 10-year breast cancer recurrence. High tumor heterogeneity was found to be a strong predictor of recurrence in patients with primary invasive breast cancer.
Patients overwhelmingly agree that anaesthesia providers should use checklists in their presence, with high scores indicating reduced risk of errors and improved patient safety. However, anaesthesia providers underestimate patient discomfort, suggesting a need for increased collaboration between patients and healthcare professionals.
A study published in Clinical Cancer Research identified neoantigens in 184 patients with multiple myeloma, showing an increase in these genetic markers in patients who had relapsed. The researchers found common neoantigens between patients, which could lead to new vaccine therapies.
Researchers analyzed data from a large US health insurance plan to compare risks of repeat surgeries after gastric bypass and sleeve procedures. Sleeve gastrectomy was associated with lower overall risk of subsequent operative and nonoperative interventions up to four years post-surgery, the study suggests.
Researchers have identified a new therapeutic strategy to combat chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer by targeting the NAD+ metabolic pathway. Combining cisplatin treatment with pharmacological inhibition of NAMPT suppresses the outgrowth of resistant cancer cells and prolongs survival in a preclinical model.
Researchers have developed algorithms that limit control information without affecting network performance, enabling IoT via satellite to become more efficient and accessible. This is crucial for applications like smart farming and home automation, where wireless communication between machines is essential.
A team of Brown University researchers has developed a way to measure the forces involved in the Cheerios effect, a phenomenon where cereal bits cluster together in milk. The experiment revealed that traditional models under-predicted the force, but adding tilt conditions improved agreement.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital identify a genetic abnormality in the SYCP2 gene as a possible cause of male infertility. The study found that variants affecting this gene were associated with low sperm count and loss-of-function variants, making it a potential diagnostic marker.
Researchers found that humidity and aspect of the tick's environment impact the types of bacteria carried by ticks. Borrelia afzelii is more common in humid slopes facing north, while Rickettsia species are prevalent on drier, steeper slopes.
Astronomers used ESO's VLT to observe gas halos around early galaxies, providing fuel for supermassive black holes. The study found 12 quasars surrounded by enormous gas reservoirs, sustaining both black hole growth and star formation.
Researchers found significant epigenetic changes in DNA, specifically reduced methyl chemical tags, between two forms of acute childhood malnutrition. This led to complex gene expression changes and enhanced expression of genes related to metabolic problems like blood sugar regulation and fatty liver disease.
Coastal wetlands will retain their power as carbon sinks despite sea level rise due to sediment accrual rates outpacing sea level rise. The study found that salt marshes can sequester excess carbon in their sediments, acting as a vault for stored carbon.
A USC study found that social bots perpetuated bogus health claims about cannabis on Twitter, drowning out solid science. The study analyzed tens of thousands of cannabis-related posts and found that bot-generated tweets were more likely to discuss health claims.
A new computational clinical tool predicts osteoporotic vertebral fractures by analyzing patient-specific finite element analysis of functional spinal units from routine clinical scans. The method enables more accurate patient-specific analysis, paving the way for a spinal risk assessment tool and targeted early treatment strategies.
The university has received a grant to further develop the method, which measures small voltage changes on the surface of the skin inside the ear caused by electrical activity in the brain's neurons. The technology holds huge potential for research and applications, including characterizing hearing loss and exploring human sleep patterns.
A new material synthesized by Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) Lithuanian scientists can form a molecular-thick electrode layer, enabling highly efficient perovskite single-junction and tandem solar cells. The material is cheap, scalable, and forms good contact with perovskite material.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that computer-based attention training reduced anxiety in 50% of participants. The treatment involved targeting neutral or threatening stimuli, leading to comparable reductions in anxiety. This promising result provides a potential aug...
A team led by Professor Patrick Labonté identified the role of autophagy in the replication cycle of Hepatitis D virus, which infects only people with hepatitis B. The discovery could lead to a targeted treatment, but raises concerns about long-term effects on cellular function.
Scientists successfully simulated the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) data at a scale of the massive future telescope using the Summit supercomputer and Adaptable IO System (ADIOS). The simulation generated 2.6 petabytes of data, highlighting ADIOS's efficiency in processing large datasets.
A recent study has dated the last known occurrence of Homo erectus to between 117,000 and 108,000 years ago in Central Java, Indonesia. The research, led by Russell L. Ciochon from the University of Iowa, used modern dating technology to analyze fossils found in a bone bed at Ngandong.
The NCI-MATCH trial found a 36% response rate across various cancers with DNA mismatch repair deficiencies, including rare and uncommon tumor types. The results provide an important signal for further study and potential treatment options.
Research finds that exposure to one subtype of flu virus in childhood can grant extra protection against future infections, but not if the second strain is from a different group. This explains why some people fare better than others when infected with the same strain.
Researchers used a database of 2474 languages to study emotion concepts, revealing wide variation in emotional states but also universal structure constraining these concepts. This study provides evidence for the role of both cultural and biological evolution in shaping human emotions.