Physicist Jon Menard's study examines the potential of compact tokamaks with high-temperature superconducting magnets to produce fusion reactions. The findings suggest that lower aspect ratios could improve plasma stability and confinement, but also require new techniques to produce initial plasma current.
Research found that natural selection favors cheating rhizobia that provide fewer benefits to their host plants, destabilizing mutualisms. The study suggests that beneficial bacteria services vary in natural systems and can be exploited by cheater strains.
A portable scientific microscope nicknamed Flamingo will make its way from Madison to Boston for collaboration and research. The project aims to democratize expensive high-end microscopy, bringing it cost-free to campuses and labs where access may be scarce.
A new study confirms that Anatolian hunter-gatherers adopted farming and were later descended by early Anatolian farmers. The findings provide genetic support for archaeological evidence that local hunter-gatherers developed agriculture independently, rather than being introduced by a large migration of farmers.
Researchers have discovered the superconducting properties of phosphine P2H4 and P4H6 under high pressure. The findings suggest that P4H6 is responsible for superconductivity at high pressures, with a Tc estimated to be 67 K.
A study analyzing pre-installed Android software reveals the existence of a complex ecosystem of manufacturers, mobile operators, and app developers tracking user information without consent. Over 4,800 owner permissions allow apps to access user data without explicit consent, compromising user privacy.
Scientists at Institut Pasteur and Inserm have found that an immune response generated when solid food is introduced in mice prevents inflammatory disorders. The reaction involves regulatory T cells and balances the immune system, leading to lower susceptibility to allergies, colitis, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.
Plant cellulose-based aerogel implants have shown 33% more bone growth in rats at three weeks and 50% more at 12 weeks compared to controls. The innovation has the potential to fill a $2-billion market with economical raw materials and applications in dental and joint replacement surgeries.
A team of researchers, including University of Utah engineers, are working on a new procedure to restore hearing loss using an implantable device that sends electrical impulses to the auditory nerve. The device has shown promise in improving sound resolution and compatibility with existing hearing aids.
Research by the Universities of Newcastle, Leeds, York, and Liverpool found that New Labour's policies narrowed the gap in infant mortality rates between English local authorities between 1999-2010. However, the trend was reversed since 2011 due to austerity measures.
Researchers at University of Alabama at Birmingham discovered androgen receptor imports into mitochondria, where it regulates multiple mitochondrial processes. This finding may lead to new treatment targets for castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Researchers at Caltech have designed a way to levitate and propel macroscopic objects using specific nanoscale patterning on their surfaces. This technology has the potential to revolutionize space travel by powering spacecraft with light, potentially reaching nearby planets in 20 years.
Human sperm's ability to swim through cervical mucus is crucial for fertilization. Researchers have discovered that the tails of human sperm have a reinforcing outer-layer that provides the necessary strength and stability to break through the fluid barrier.
Researchers have developed a new method to detect small fragments of cancerous genetic material in blood samples from lung cancer patients. The method, called liquid biopsy, uses ultra-deep next-generation sequencing and machine learning to identify genetic variants driving the cancer or making it resistant to treatment.
A new study found that digital mammography is associated with a lower likelihood of high-density breast tissue compared to digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) or synthetic mammography. This could have implications for personalized screening and recommendations for supplemental screening.
A new study from the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity found that meal kits and recipe tastings in a food pantry increased the selection of whole grains and leafy greens by three times. The study also showed a spillover effect, where clients selected additional healthier options when meal kits were available.
Researchers found that soil treatments mimicking floods led to the highest woolly star survival rate, while no treatment favored invasive grasses. The study suggests that restoring natural flood pulses can help reestablish the plant species in degraded habitats.
The Hayabusa2 mission provides valuable insights into the composition and history of asteroid Ryugu, helping researchers understand the presence or absence of essential materials for life. The study reveals that Ryugu is a dry asteroid, which challenges current models of the early solar system.
A new study published in Radiology found that digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) significantly reduces the number of women who undergo breast biopsy for non-cancerous lesions. DBT detected 142 cancers with a biopsy rate of 69%, while reducing false positive biopsies by 52%.
A Southwest Research Institute-led team has discovered that the surface geology on asteroid Bennu is older than expected, with large impact craters and fractured boulders indicating ages of hundreds of millions of years. The OSIRIS-REx mission revealed ancient features on Bennu's surface while also showing signs of recent resurfacing.
A study found that economic growth in China led to a decrease in stunting and thinness among children and adolescents, but a significant increase in overweight and obesity rates. The research suggests a need for policies promoting dietary diversity, physical activity, and health education.
Researchers at Joint BioEnergy Institute demonstrate that sustainable plant-based bio-jet fuels could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and be economically viable. The study found that optimizing the production process can lower the cost of biofuels to $2.50 per gallon, making them a viable alternative to conventional jet fuels.
A recent review paper predicted nearly half of the world's insects would go extinct due to a rapid decline. However, scientists have identified major flaws in the study's methodology, including query- and geographically-biased summaries, mismatched objectives and cited literature, and misuse of existing conservation data.
The OSIRIS-REx mission revealed unexpected discoveries on asteroid Bennu, including particle plumes and a rugged terrain. The team adjusted their flight plans due to the rough surface, which challenges their sample collection strategies.
Caterina Strambio De Castillia has been named a CZI Imaging Scientist and received over $1 million in grant funding to develop standardized tools for microscopic imaging. The grant aims to facilitate sharing of reproducible datasets, analytical procedures, and analysis results among biomedical researchers.
A new research group at the University of Jena has demonstrated quantum vacuum processes for the first time, using strong fields and high-performance lasers. The experiments aim to provide evidence for fundamental physics assumptions, with potential applications in medicine, life sciences, and materials research.
Researchers have discovered that atorvastatin, a drug typically used to control cholesterol, can also treat cachexia, a condition characterized by rapid weight loss and muscle atrophy. In mouse studies, treatment with atorvastatin attenuated adipose tissue remodeling, leading to rapid weight loss and muscle atrophy.
Researchers at Saarland University have created an ultrathin flexible film that can act as a sensor for innovative technologies. The smart glove uses tactile signals to provide real-time feedback and assistance to assembly line workers, helping to prevent costly mistakes.
Researchers analyzed Chinese youth comments on Spanish TV series El Ministerio del Tiempo, finding discussions on intercultural differences and taboo topics like sex. The study highlights the potential of participation and communication in social networks for learning about different cultures.
Guodong Zhang, a researcher at UMass Amherst, has been awarded the Young Scientist Research Award for his groundbreaking work on reducing colonic inflammation and colon cancer. His research focuses on identifying risk factors and developing new therapeutic targets and biomarkers.
Researchers found that people opt for 'greener' meals over 'healthier' options when presented with two traffic lights indicating environmental friendliness and healthiness. The study showed that providing additional information about daily calorie intakes and carbon emissions boosts the positive effect on consumer meal choices.
A new study suggests that healthy food prescriptions for adults in Medicare and Medicaid could prevent millions of cardiovascular disease events and save billions of dollars in healthcare costs. The study found that programs incentivizing diet, particularly through fruit and vegetable purchases, could be highly cost-effective.
The Hayabusa2 mission has provided new insights into the composition and origin of the Ryugu asteroid, revealing it to be a porous 'rubble pile' with a highly porous interior and low density. The asteroid's surface is also characterized by hydrated minerals, which are ubiquitous across its dark surface.
Researchers used electron accelerators to generate free radicals in water molecules, allowing them to study the damaging effects on biomolecules. This method provides a valuable tool for understanding naturally occurring antioxidants and proteins like vitamin C, with implications for developing new medications to prevent cell damage.
The Argonne National Laboratory's Aurora supercomputer will revolutionize scientific research and discovery with its exaFLOP performance and ability to handle both HPC and AI. The system is expected to have a significant impact on various fields, including cancer research, climate modeling, and veterans' health treatments.
A recent study published in Neuropsychopharmacology found that deep brain stimulation provided significant reduction in depression severity and improved quality of life for patients with treatment-resistant depression. The therapy showed excellent results over one year, with most patients experiencing relief within days.
Researchers discovered that applying mechanical pressure to tetraethylammonium di-iodine triiodide increases its conductivity. The pressure-induced changes lead to the formation of CT chains, making TEAI a tunable pressure-sensitive electric switch.
A study published in PNAS shows that an enzyme inhibitor reduces inflammation in the brains of mice born to mothers with maternal immune activation, reversing cognitive and social interaction deficiencies. The findings suggest a potential new treatment approach for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
The study analyzed tumor DNA from 843 patients with colorectal cancer, identifying associations between genetic mutations and treatment responses. Patients with microsatellite instability had longer survival when treated with bevacizumab, while those with high tumor mutational burden lived longer than those with less variation.
Astronomers have found a pulsar that has escaped the debris of a supernova explosion and is now speeding away at nearly 700 miles per second. The discovery provides important insights into how pulsars can gain speed from supernovae.
A new study published in Geosphere reveals that two major faults in Emerald Bay have been moving vertically over the past 20,000 years, with no strike slip motion. The research used a combination of deep dives, bathymetry surveys, and LiDAR data to create high-resolution maps of the bay's geology.
University of Arkansas researchers have found a more efficient and affordable way to produce hydrogen fuel through water electrolysis. The new method uses nanoparticles composed of nickel and iron, which interact with hydrogen and oxygen atoms to increase the reaction's efficiency.
A new study by Tufts University researchers finds that healthy food prescriptions in Medicare and Medicaid could prevent millions of cardiovascular disease cases and diabetes cases, while reducing healthcare utilization and costs. The programs would be highly cost-effective, with incremental costs of less than $50,000 per quality-adjus...
A new computer program can identify unwanted states in quantum computers, allowing users to check reliability without technical expertise. Researchers used the IBM Q Experience and dimension witnessing technique to demonstrate the method's accuracy.
Researchers from NUST MISIS created a nanomaterial that enhances the rate of bone cell division by 3 times, enabling the growth of new bone tissue. This breakthrough could potentially abandon bone marrow transplantation, offering hope to patients with osteoporosis and osteomyelitis.
Researchers tested a silver- and ruthenium-based coating on the International Space Station, finding it highly effective in reducing bacteria growth by up to 80% compared to bare steel. The AGXX® coating may provide a solution to combating antibiotic-resistant superbugs in deep space missions.
A study found that medical marijuana laws lead to a decline in reported pain and an improvement in overall health assessments among respondents with qualifying health conditions. The study also shows that these laws increase full-time work hours, suggesting improved labor supply among older adults.
A large observational study found that even low-level physical activities, such as walking or gardening, are associated with a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, or any cause. Increasing activity levels continues to mount health benefits, with vigorous sports providing additional protection.
James Bray, a UTSA psychologist, is training first responders in Houston to recognize prescription opioid overdoses and administer naloxone. This project aims to provide treatment services for overdose victims through the Houston Recovery Center.
A team of researchers detected the Zika virus in feces of nonhuman primates in South America, revealing potential reservoirs. The study used a novel method to collect and test fecal samples, overcoming previous limitations in testing for the virus in other bodily fluids.
Researchers from the University of Konstanz and partners demonstrate a new technique for in-cell distance determination using RIDME, overcoming limitations of traditional methods such as DEER. This approach provides essential structural information about biomacromolecules under native conditions, enabling analysis without inserting or ...
A team at Chalmers University of Technology has proposed creating ultra-intense light pulses to study interactions between matter and light. These pulses can be used to probe and control matter in unique ways, offering new insights into material science and quantum states.
A new study has identified prime candidate primates with potential to transmit Zika virus. An innovative model combining multiple imputation and Bayesian multi-label machine learning techniques assigned risk scores to primate species, revealing the tufted capuchin, Venezuelan red howler, and white-faced capuchin as high-risk species.
The University of Minnesota is leading a $9.7 million NIH grant to develop an implantable device that can restore more natural hearing to people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. The new technology aims to bypass the cochlea and directly stimulate the auditory nerve, improving activation in noisy environments and music.
When bacteria face starvation, they can eject their flagella to conserve energy. This behavior allows them to survive in nutrient-poor environments. The discovery provides new insights into bacterial evolution and potential targets for antimicrobial drugs.
Researchers found that people who can accurately detect others' emotions are also better at discerning the effectiveness of group interaction. The study suggests that managers should take people's social sensitivity into account when making decisions about team leaders.
Research suggests that an aging microbiome may be the key to understanding vascular decline and cardiovascular disease risk. The study found that suppressing the microbiome in old mice restored vascular health to that of young mice, highlighting the potential for gut-friendly diets and supplements.
The University of Bath's CAMERA research centre collaborated with Aardman on a BBC virtual reality documentary about twin sisters affected by a car accident. Researchers used facial animation and motion capture tech to create realistic character movements, making the viewer feel immersed in their story.
A case-control study found a strong link between daily cannabis use and psychosis, with high potency cannabis increasing the risk even more. The study estimated that one in five new cases of psychosis may be linked to daily cannabis use, highlighting potential public health implications for changes in cannabis legislation.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has approved funding for two projects that aim to disseminate and implement research findings on obesity and diabetes prevention through shared decision making. The projects, totaling $3.8 million, will focus on patients with severe obesity and higher blood sugars who are diagnos...