Researchers at the University of Arizona have discovered a protein in mosquitoes that prevents them from hatching. By blocking this protein, females can no longer produce viable eggs, leading to the death of embryos. This discovery could lead to the development of new drugs as birth control for mosquito populations.
A pilot program introducing safer mining practices reduced airborne lead levels by 95% and respirable silica dust by 80%, saving hundreds of children from lead poisoning. The project's success demonstrates the effectiveness of low-cost dust control measures in reducing hazardous exposures in artisanal small-scale mining communities.
A retrospective analysis found that genetic variations in the COMT gene affected whether vitamin E decreased or increased cancer risk in study participants. The results showed a significant impact of COMT variants on cancer rates among women taking vitamin E supplements.
Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum München have developed an analytic method that can precisely detect viral infections using immune responses. This method could help identify gaps in protection early on and make transplants safer in the future.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that individuals with two or more chronic diseases incur significantly higher healthcare costs compared to those with a single disease. The study analyzed data from New Zealand and estimated the annual health expenditure per person for six non-communicable disease classes.
A team of researchers analyzed the immune system of P. aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis patients, finding diverse bacterial populations with varying responses to viruses. The study's findings have implications for phage therapy and understanding infectious disease.
The Dark Energy Survey's legacy continues as scientists prepare to analyze the final image taken on January 9, 2019. The survey mapped 5,000 square degrees of the southern sky, collecting 50 terabytes worth of data and mapping nearly a billion galaxies.
Researchers discovered that viruses associated with the varroa mite have spilled over into the western yellowjacket, a honeybee predator, causing a change in genetic diversity. This finding suggests that introducing non-native species can have far-reaching effects on ecosystems.
A nearly metre-long skull of a giant fossil marine ichthyosaur, found in a farmer's field over 60 years ago, has been digitally reconstructed and studied for the first time using cutting-edge CT scanning technology. The research reveals new information including details of the rarely preserved braincase.
Researchers developed an image-processing algorithm that can automatically detect fluid on the retina with high accuracy. Early diagnosis is crucial as diabetic retinopathy can cause irreversible vision loss if left untreated.
Researchers used noncontact imaging to differentiate malignant cells and monitor treatment effectiveness, revealing mechanical properties of tumors that influence disease progression. This technique may lead to personalized therapies and more effective treatments.
Philip Uri Treisman will receive the Yueh-Gin Gung and Dr. Charles Y. Hu Award on January 17, 2019, for his leadership in strengthening math education and promoting equity for historically underserved groups.
A new integrated photonics platform enables precise control of light frequency and storage, opening doors for photonic quantum information processing, optical signal processing, and microwave photonics. The technology uses lithium niobate and has potential applications in radio astronomy, radar technology, and more.
A new study found that ketogenic supplements can delay tonic-clonic seizures caused by high levels of oxygen, even in a normal diet. The supplements increased blood ketone levels, providing therapeutic ketosis and resistance to seizures.
A new study published in PNAS outlines a mission-driven approach to understanding the impacts of geoengineering and informs policy. The research focuses on releasing sulfate aerosols into the stratosphere, mimicking natural volcanic eruptions.
Researchers found rutin reduces clotting and protects against snake venom's clotting action, minimizing bleeding and inflammation. Rutin inhibits tissue factor activity, a key player in the clotting process, to prevent secondary complications of viper bites.
The Path2Integrity project aims to boost research integrity by developing new educational methods, targeting students and researchers from five European countries. The initiative, funded by the EU Horizon 2020 program, promotes storytelling, role-playing, and dialogical learning to raise awareness about research integrity.
Researchers at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have discovered a process that can help control disruptions in fusion plasmas, a key challenge for generating clean energy. The process focuses on stabilizing tearing modes, which create magnetic islands that can trigger disruptive events and halt fusion reactions.
New research suggests that taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain can increase the risk of severe Clostridium difficile infections. The study found that brief exposure to an NSAID prior to infection worsened infection severity and shortened survival in mice.
Grasses have multiple copies of a gene that induces flowering during long days, but one duplicate has been repurposed to be expressed during short days, giving some grasses a new way to prepare for spring. This adaptation allows them to flower quickly in spring, providing an edge in the race to produce seeds.
Russian neuroscientists discovered that early stress in mice impacts both the individual and their offspring, affecting memory, learning, and maternal behavior. The study found that separated mice showed reduced hippocampus neurons and altered exploratory behavior, while their offspring exhibited behavioral changes related to sex.
The Mathematical Association of America will award Suzanne Dorée, Carl Lee, and Jennifer Switkes for their exceptional teaching and contributions to mathematics education. They are recognized for their commitment to advancing the understanding of mathematics and its impact on society.
Researchers found trees changing their wood anatomy in response to drought, with some species developing smaller water-carrying vessels. This adaptation allows mature rainforest trees to conserve water during extended dry periods.
Scientists have identified a novel step in gene expression that controls the expression of genes crucial for breast cancer cell growth and tumour progression. The discovery highlights a specific modification allowing RNA polymerase II to overcome a pausing barrier, enabling the transcription of proliferation genes.
Researchers at SUTD developed a new holographic colour printing device that modulates both phase and amplitude of light, increasing security and deterring counterfeiting. The technology uses nano-3D-printed polymer structures to display coloured images under ambient white light while projecting multiple holograms under laser illumination.
The amount of money spent on medical marketing in the US has significantly increased over the past two decades, reaching $29.9 billion in 2016. Most of this spending was on marketing to professionals, with direct-to-consumer advertising also growing substantially.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that defective immune cells in the brain play a key role in Alzheimer's disease. Activating a specific gene, TREM2, can help prevent toxic deposits, but over-activation may have negative consequences.
The Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior recommends including environmental sustainability considerations in future federal dietary guidance. The authors make recommendations to promote behavior change among consumers by discussing the health and environmental impacts of food choices.
Marzari's group develops open-source solutions to link proprietary IBM technologies with AI models, identifying promising materials for further study. The project enables automatic calculation of material properties on demand, highlighting outliers worthy of experimental characterization.
A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals a strong correlation between
Researchers at Arizona State University discover that choline supplementation may help fight Alzheimer's disease in mice and their offspring. The study reveals that high choline intake during gestation and lactation improves spatial memory in subsequent generations, suggesting a transgenerational effect.
A new species of beetle, Iberoporus pluto, has been discovered in Portugal, exclusively inhabiting groundwater. The beetle was found in a cave system and features adaptations for life underground, such as depigmentation and elongated limbs.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo found that histamine improved people's long-term memory test scores, especially for those with poor memories. The study showed mice could recognize toys they'd seen as long as 28 days ago after receiving a medication that increases histamine in the brain.
Researchers identified five distinct subtypes of insomnia, each with unique characteristics and underlying brain mechanisms. These findings have significant implications for treatment effectiveness and the prevention of depression, offering a new direction in understanding this complex mental disorder.
Researchers found that while some peer crowds remain constant, new groups like 'anime/manga' fans and 'loners' have emerged, reflecting changing times. Academic anxiety is on the rise among high-achieving students, who fear disappointing their parents.
Researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine designed a study to improve patients' sleep by using electronic health record nudges and educating nurses. The results showed significant reductions in nighttime disruptions, including fewer room entries and improved medication administration.
A study of cat owners reveals a spectrum of views on hunting, from positive pest control to deep concern for wild animal populations. Researchers aim to find practical ways to reduce hunting while enhancing cat welfare.
Researchers from Bielefeld University found that the Mona Lisa's gaze is not aimed at viewers, contrary to popular belief. The 'Mona Lisa Effect' is actually an illusion of being looked at, triggered by the viewer's perception of direction.
A new study warns against mega-dams in lowland tropical forest regions due to their impact on biodiversity and ecosystems. The Balbina Hydroelectric Reservoir system in the Brazilian Amazon showed that tree communities on islands are 'unstable' and prone to extinction.
Researchers found pyronaridine-artesunate to be as effective as currently used artemisinin-based combination therapies for treating uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria. Mild liver injuries were observed in some patients but no severe damage was reported. The treatment holds promise for areas with rising artemisinin resistance.
A new study found that exposure to cannabis and stress during adolescence can lead to long-term anxiety disorders. The researchers observed impaired fear extinction in adult mice treated with THC and exposed to stress, suggesting a deregulation in the circuit that regulates fear.
Researchers found that frequency affects neural activation during electrical stimulation, contrary to previous assumptions. This discovery opens up new possibilities for activating different neural circuits with the same implant, which could lead to improved neuromodulation therapy.
ORNL's automated plutonium-238 production increased annual output from 50g to 400g, moving closer to NASA's goal of 1.5kg/year by 2025. The lab also developed a novel cryogenic memory cell design that may boost storage while using less energy in future computing applications.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet identified four distinct molecular subtypes of undifferentiated uterine sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, which could lead to improved treatment outcomes. The study also showed that some patients may live longer than initially predicted.
A Bright Line Watch experiment reveals that partisanship is the dominant factor in voting decisions, outweighing policy positions and democratic values. The study's findings highlight the American public's commitment to certain democratic principles, but also expose significant partisan divides on issues like voter ID laws.
Researchers discovered that levitated droplets can self-propel across a cryogenic liquid surface, gliding and oscillating without friction. The phenomenon is driven by an asymmetry between the front and back of the drop, emerging in the supporting film's thickness.
A new technique allows continuous study of cobalt nanoparticles as they grow, producing 'nanometric phase diagrams' showing the conditions that control their structure. This method has potential applications for other materials, including alloys and oxides.
Yeast cells produce ethanol as a 'safety valve' when their metabolic operation reaches a critical level. This discovery also explains the Warburg effect in cancer cells, where energy is wasted by producing lactate.
A new review by Michigan Medicine researchers shows that opioids are a key contributor to the rise in suicides and drug overdoses in the US. The study calls for improvements in pain care, mental health care, and medication-assisted opioid addiction care to reverse this deadly trend.
The study will investigate the impacts of iron deficiency on infant brain development and physical growth. The trials aim to recruit over 6000 women and children in developing countries.
Researchers discovered that anxiety-depressive disorder in mice is associated with impaired energy metabolism in the brain, particularly in the hypothalamus and hippocampus. This finding provides a fresh look at the depression development mechanism and other psycho-emotional diseases formation.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a new molecule called TrAPs that interact with the body's natural repair systems to drive healing. The technique mimics nature and can be tailored to release specific therapeutic proteins based on cell type, offering new hope for patients with difficult-to-heal wounds.
Sandia National Laboratories has launched four new projects to advance quantum computing, including a 'testbed' for industrial and academic researchers. The projects focus on creating accessible components, high-level algorithms and tools to measure quantum hardware performance.
Researchers created a viable mouse model of Hirschsprung's disease to study its development and progression. The new model revealed that mucin-producing goblet cells may be a target for preventative treatment and that reduced expression of GFRa1 contributes to susceptibility to the disease.
Researchers have developed a highly specific anti-Wolbachia drug candidate that could provide a safe oral treatment for worm infections in just 7 days. The new therapy has superior efficacy and favorable drug properties compared to existing options, which typically take 4-6 weeks to treat similar conditions.
Among American Indians and Alaska Natives, 41% have lifetime alcohol use disorder; 34% seek alcohol-related treatment. Men aged 35-64 are most likely to receive treatment, with 20.5% of non-Hispanic Whites also seeking help.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered a protein that can serve as an early biomarker for colorectal cancer. The protein, beta-1,4-GalT-V, is involved in cell proliferation and new blood vessel formation, which are critical processes in cancer growth.
A study from the University of Pittsburgh found that rising drug costs are driven by both new and existing medications. While new drugs contribute to price increases, existing products explain most of the cost rises, particularly for brand-name drugs with multiple patents preventing competition.
A confidential online poll of 81 UK female surgeons found that over half have faced or witnessed discrimination in the workplace. The survey also revealed that Orthopaedics is seen as the most sexist surgical specialty, with many respondents citing poor work-life balance and inflexibility as major obstacles to a career in surgery.
Researchers found that body-camera footage led to lower intentionality ratings compared to dashboard footage in both real and staged incidents. The study suggests that body-camera footage could impact judicial decisions.