Researchers at ETH Zurich found that most angular momentum is transferred to the lattice during ultrafast demagnetization, twisting the sample as magnetization rapidly decreases. The discovery offers guidance for technological applications of ultrafast optical switching.
Scientists have identified natural antibodies within protein corona that trigger immune system response to nanoparticles. Depleting these antibodies reduces complement system activation, enabling safe delivery of cancer-fighting drugs and imaging agents.
A UCI-led study reveals that fasting affects circadian clocks in the liver and skeletal muscle, rewiring metabolism for improved health. Fasting-driven cellular responses prime the genome for new gene expression patterns, suggesting optimal timed fasting could benefit health.
A recent study analyzed over 8,000 human tumors and discovered common molecular hallmarks of low oxygen levels, which can predict cancer aggressiveness and inform treatment decisions. The findings provide new insights into the complex relationship between hypoxia, genetic changes, and tumor evolution.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute have discovered a neural circuit in the locus coeruleus (LC) that helps moderate brain activity and maintain calm. The circuit involves connections between neurons releasing GABA and noradrenaline, which work together to regulate arousal levels.
Low-income students outperformed their high-income peers when given exercises to regulate negative emotions before biology tests. Emotion-regulation exercises improved exam performance and increased passing rates among low-income students.
A new study reveals that wine experts in Canada have distinct opinions on wine quality, influenced by their geographic location and education background. The research found that Montreal wine experts detected more acidity and bitterness, while Okanagan panelists preferred wines with spicy aromas.
A marine bacterium has discovered a novel ferritin mechanism to control toxic metals, producing an enhanced ability to detoxify reactive oxygen species. This process is unique among known ferritins and holds promise for future engineered biocatalysts in drug development.
Researchers developed a new way to predict breast cancer risk by combining genetics, family history, weight, age at menopause, alcohol consumption, and hormone replacement therapy. The online calculator can identify different risk groups and inform tailored screening and preventative therapy.
Researchers found that liberals are more likely to publicize the achievements of minorities, including women and black individuals. The study suggests a link between political ideology and the amplification of minority accomplishments, highlighting differences in liberal and conservative Twitter posts and panel preferences.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that bisexual individuals and those unsure of their sexual identities are at greatest risk for substance abuse. Those who identified as lesbian or gay were also over twice as likely to have a severe alcohol or tobacco use disorder compared to heterosexuals.
The University of Nebraska is leading a $11 million study to develop drug therapies protecting military service members from radiation exposure. The project, in collaboration with the Department of Defense, aims to identify and develop therapeutic candidates that can prevent and counteract radiation effects.
Engineers at the University of Sheffield are developing more effective bomb protection systems by studying explosions in detail. The project aims to provide a better understanding of blast loading and its effects on structures, enabling the design of safer buildings and materials.
A Vanderbilt University team has deciphered the circuitry of the medial frontal cortex, allowing for more efficient diagnoses of mental illnesses. The findings could also guide medications to target specific receptors in the cerebral cortex for better effectiveness.
A new study by University of Washington researchers found that free-floating bike share programs in Seattle have low helmet usage, with only 20% of riders wearing helmets. The study also showed that bikes were available in all neighborhoods across economic and racial lines, but more bikes were located in affluent areas.
Researchers propose a new perspective on cancer origins, highlighting the importance of mutation sequence and cell type in tumor growth and response to therapy. This approach may lead to new avenues for cancer prevention and treatment.
A single national electronic health record will simplify information exchange among primary care sites, improving patient care and hospital coordination. Canada Health Infoway should select and adapt the system with physician and patient input.
A new study published in Nature Immunology has identified a new type of immune cell that infiltrates lung tissue and initiates fibrosis in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The researchers were able to prevent fibrosis in mouse models by targeting these cells for destruction, which may lead to new treatments for this terminal illness.
A study reveals that winged insects likely evolved from a ground-dwelling common ancestor with long antennae and segmented abdominal appendages. The findings suggest that wings did not evolve in aquatic environments, but rather for aerial descent, as the ancestral Pterygota species returned to life on the ground.
Patients and clinicians perceive virtual video visits as convenient and comparable in quality to traditional office visits, with 79% of patients finding follow-up visits easier. Clinicians agree on the benefits of timely scheduling and efficiency, but note limitations for certain patient groups.
Researchers found that inhibiting pyramidal neurons in the dorsal or ventral hippocampus after a meal caused rats to start their next meal sooner and consume more food. This study suggests boosting meal memories could help regulate future eating behavior.
Researchers at the University of Illinois gained control over soft-molecule synthesis, enabling them to probe how shape, size, and composition influence function in soft materials. This breakthrough could lead to advances in virology, drug delivery development, and new material creation.
Articles explore interdisciplinary projects on climate change, automated vehicles, and misinformation, with recommendations for responsible science communication
A new survey of first-year internal medicine residents found that those in programs with longer hours, less faculty mentoring, and more research focus had higher depression scores. The study suggests that institutions and residency programs play a critical role in resident mental health.
Researchers discovered that photons emitted during black hole creation appear to be disordered, yet highly ordered within short time slices. This contradicts theories of either complete polarization or randomness, presenting new challenges for understanding the birth environment of black holes.
The FDA has approved focused ultrasound treatment for reducing medication-resistant Parkinson's disease tremors, allowing doctors to perform brain surgery without cutting into the skull. Researchers are now exploring its potential for treating other conditions, including breast cancer and epilepsy.
A new long-acting contraceptive designed for self-administration via microneedle patch technology has shown promise in animal testing, providing a therapeutic level of contraception for over a month with a single application. The experimental patch uses biodegradable polymers to slowly release the contraceptive hormone levonorgestrel.
A study of 14-year-olds from Ireland, England, France, and Germany found increased volume of brain regions in teenagers who reported limited cannabis use. The researchers identified associations between increased grey matter volume and assessments of reasoning and anxiety.
A new study finds that even a small amount of cannabis use by teenagers is linked to differences in their brains, including increased gray matter volume in areas involved in emotion and memory development. The researchers also ruled out pre-existing brain differences or personality traits as possible explanations for the findings.
A large international study has identified 124 genetic variants linked to risk tolerance, revealing biological mechanisms underlying willingness to take risks. The findings shed light on the shared genetic influences across various specific risky behaviors.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists identify 23 subtypes of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), including eight new subtypes, with distinct genomic and clinical features. The study's findings may lead to the development of precision medicines and customized treatments for high-risk patients.
A study published in Cell Reports reveals a critical connection between chronic inflammation and the development of colon cancer. Researchers found that persistent inflammation leads to increased levels of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and interleukin-10, which ultimately silence tumor suppressors and contribute to cancer growth.
Researchers at Clemson University discover Mojave rattlesnakes have a wider distribution of life-threatening venom types than expected. The study reveals a peculiar variability in the species, with local optima favoring different venom types depending on location.
A new USC study found that blood-brain barrier breakdown is an early driver of dementia, with leaky capillaries in the brain signaling cognitive impairment before hallmark toxic proteins appear. The study suggests new targets for drugs to slow down or prevent dementia's onset.
The researchers have produced a catalog of exact sizes and shapes of holes that form in 2-D sheets when atoms are missing from the material's crystal lattice. This new catalog could help open up various potential applications, including filtration, chemical processing, DNA sequencing and quantum computing.
Researchers develop a novel approach to target aggressive liver cancer by inhibiting protein production, leaving healthy cells unharmed. The study shows promising results using a genetic approach and a drug that directly inhibits translation, slowing tumor growth and blocking immune evasion.
Researchers at UT Austin develop a new method to build synthetic protein structures, allowing for the creation of nanomachines and other complex systems. The 'SUpercharged PRotein Assembly' (SuPrA) method mimics nature's way of forming molecular machines, enabling flexible and self-assembling structures.
A study of the European gypsy moth genome found divergent proteins involved in muscle development, which may affect flight. The research also identified altered gene expression in response to viral infections, suggesting new avenues for biological control.
Cornell chemists found that pores in two-dimensional molecular building blocks fundamentally change van der Waals forces, altering nanostructure assembly. The study provides new insight into self-assembly and design of complex nanostructures with diverse functionalities.
The Robot Activity Support System (RAS) uses sensors in a WSU smart home to detect elderly residents' needs and provide assistance with daily activities. RAS can navigate, offer video instructions and lead owners to objects needed.
A new study found that complication rates following invasive lung cancer diagnostic tests are twice as high in the community setting compared to clinical trials, with associated downstream costs of $6,320 to $56,845 on average. The researchers emphasize the need for sharing risks with patients considering lung cancer screening.
A study reveals GPs in poorer areas prescribe more opioids for pain, with smoking, obesity, and depression linked to increased prescribing. Chronic pain management is a challenge, with limited capacity for counseling and potential risks outweighing benefits.
Desalination plants worldwide discharge 142 million cubic meters of hypersaline brine daily, threatening ocean life and ecosystems. The UN calls for improved brine management strategies to meet growing water needs.
Oil companies can tap into vast sums of recoverable oil in unconventional reservoirs by adopting new methods that account for the unique physics found at these formations. By focusing on diffusion rather than pressure differences, researchers estimate that recoveries can be increased by two to three times.
Researchers at George Washington University have created a metallic hydrogen compound that exhibits superconductivity at near-room temperature. The discovery could enable more efficient energy transmission and powerful computing systems.
Researchers from Lehigh University's STAR Collaboration, led by Rosi Reed, use the Beam Energy Scan to test the limits of quark-gluon plasma and map its phase diagram. The goal is to understand the nuclear strong force and Quantum Chromodynamics.
Researchers found that healthy infant gut microbes protect against cow's milk allergy when transplanted into mice, while those from allergic infants caused an allergic reaction. A specific bacterial species, Anaerostipes caccae, was identified as the protector against allergic responses.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests that sleeping less than six hours a night may increase cardiovascular disease risk. Participants who slept poorly were 34% more likely to have atherosclerosis compared to those with good quality sleep.
A Canadian population study tracked back pain patterns over 16 years, identifying four trajectories: persistent, developing, recovery, and occasional. The persistent and developing groups had more pain and disability, while the recovery group increased opioid use.
The Antarctic Ice Sheet's growth and decay are linked to changes in obliquity and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Loss of sea ice could amplify the effects of Earth's astronomical motions on the ice sheet's stability.
Researchers at Numenta describe a framework for understanding how the brain produces intelligence based on grid cells in the neocortex. They propose that cortical grid cells allow the neocortex to learn models of objects, enabling generalization and compositionality.
A new clinical trial is enrolling patients to test the safety and efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) by enema for recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD). The trial aims to provide critical data on the long-term safety of FMT in preventing CDAD recurrence.
Researchers have developed a new model to study the health effects of metabolic protein AMPK, revealing its potential as a treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and other diseases. By activating AMPK in mice with fatty liver disease, scientists found that it lowered liver fat and protected against weight gain and obesity.
Researchers identified 17 unique facial expressions that convey happiness across cultures, while finding only 8 universal expressions for other emotions like fear and surprise. The study used a dataset of over 7.2 million images from 31 countries to confirm the findings.
Researchers challenge long-standing assumption about varroa mites' diet; find they feed on fat body tissue, essential to honey bees' survival. This discovery could lead to more effective mite treatments and improved bee nutrition.
Researchers at North Carolina State University and the University of South Florida found significant flaws in forensic software DXAGE, which estimates age-at-death based on bone mineral density. The software's accuracy was off by an average of 14.25 years for women who died between 30s and 70s.
A nationwide study found microbes in about half of homes, with a single species dominating all positive samples. Despite their presence, the microbes pose no health concerns and remain safe to drink. The discovery highlights the widespread colonization of water heaters by extremophiles in domestic environments.
A new report highlights the need for effective communication in addressing 'post-normal' science technologies, such as gene drives, which pose a challenge to science journalists. The technology has the potential to reduce malaria deaths but also raises concerns about safety and regulation.
The Antarctic Ice Sheet has experienced a significant increase in mass loss over the past four decades, with West Antarctica being the primary contributor. The estimated rate of mass loss increased from 40 Gt/yr in the 1980s to over 250 Gt/yr in the 2010s.
A study analyzing 303 Texas salamanders found that complex aquifer hydrogeology drives population divergence and speciation. The authors predict that Edwards-Trinity Eurycea may become extinct within 100 years due to habitat loss from groundwater depletion.