A recent NIH-funded study found that older Mexican Americans who suffer from pain are 1.7 times likelier to become frail than those without pain. Frailty can lead to poor health outcomes and is associated with factors such as age, depression, and difficulty performing daily activities.
Scientists have linked the surge in Amazon fires this summer to large increases in deforestation, with August's active fire counts three times higher than in 2018. Deforestation is often followed by fire, and evidence from NASA satellites shows a significant upturn in both active fire counts and deforestation in 2019.
Scientists have found a way to harness excess energy from photons that are too energetic for materials to absorb, potentially increasing the efficiency of solar panels. By combining a perovskite with an acceptor material, hot electrons can be readily absorbed, even without slowing down their loss of energy.
Researchers found a significant increase in opioid overdose deaths among younger Medicare patients with disabilities, from 57.4 per 100,000 in 2012 to 77.6 per 100,000 in 2016. Adults with psychiatric diseases, substance use disorder, and chronic pain had higher rates of opioid overdose death.
Researchers at Colorado State University aim to create a new and improved TB vaccine, which has shown strong immune response in early-stage clinical trials. The project will include a multidisciplinary team of over 20 researchers and scientists to better understand the immune responses required for protection against TB.
Typhoon Fengshen strengthened from a tropical storm to a typhoon with an eye, producing deep convection and strong thunderstorms. The storm made landfall near Japan's Iwo To Island, expected to weaken over the next five days.
Anna Evmenova, a George Mason University Associate Professor, has received a $6,000 grant from Wiley Edu to refine and test an existing content slider in her EDAT 524: Universal Design for Learning course. The project aims to improve students' engagement in online self-assessment.
Researchers identified the molecular signals that activate MAIT cells during Salmonella or Legionella infections. They found that IL-23 is key to expanding MAIT cell numbers and attacking the infection.
New research suggests that nearly extreme black holes can appear to regrow hair through a phenomenon known as 'scalar hair', which is made of a massless scalar field. However, this hair is transient and eventually disappears, leaving the black hole bald again.
New research from Penn State College of Medicine shows that JUUL delivers almost three times as much nicotine as most other e-cigarettes, with high concentrations in its pods. The study also found that JUUL is addictive and may be a less harmful alternative to cigarettes for smokers.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine developed a cell therapy that transplants inhibitory neurons to improve memory precision after traumatic brain injury. The treatment prevented seizures in mice with traumatic brain injuries, showing promising results for potential human treatment.
Researchers at NJIT's Big Bear Solar Observatory have uncovered a likely mechanism for the Sun's upper atmosphere heating, revealing jets of magnetized plasma known as spicules. High-resolution images show spicules erupting from the Sun's surface at speeds of up to 100 km/s.
The 2020 EurekAlert! Fellowships for International Science Reporters will support five early-career science journalists from Latin America, China, and other emerging regions attending the 2020 AAAS Annual Meeting. The program aims to highlight regional scientific contributions and promote quality science journalism.
Researchers observed a dramatic shift from chaotic to ordered motion in jackdaw mobs as they grew in density. The birds initially follow 'topological' rules for winter roosting but switch to 'metric' rules for predator avoidance, leading to the emergence of organized behavior.
A team of researchers from EPFL and MIT used mobile phone location data to study the spread of dengue fever in Singapore. Their findings showed that even low levels of mobility can cause an epidemic to spread, emphasizing the need for effective spatial distribution models.
Scientists discovered that reflectin proteins control iridocytes, which contribute to changing visibility and appearance. The proteins fold up when phosphate groups are added, exposing sticky surfaces that allow them to clump together, creating an osmotic motor that responds to neuronal signals.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that implementing an electronic health record nudge increased cancer screening orders by 22% and 14%, respectively. However, the study also showed that patients' follow-through on screenings remained largely unchanged. The researchers suggest that future intervent...
Australian scientists have developed a genetic probe to detect eDNA of the endangered Gouldian finch, revealing its habitat and distribution. The test uses a PCR primer to amplify mitochondrial DNA and a species-specific probe to identify Gouldian finch DNA, increasing knowledge on population trends.
Levis & Elder are developing conceptual models to investigate the degree of deterrence and explore the impact of mutual understanding among actors. They aim to refine experimental design and analyze sensitivity to model inputs in computational experiments.
Scientists at Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ developed an approach using recent satellite data to estimate Amazon forest biomass with greater precision. This enables more accurate assessments of the consequences of droughts and forest fires on the Amazon.
A survey of 1,019 adults aged 50 to 64 found that 48.5% perceived a high risk of developing dementia during their lifetime. Only a few participants discussed potential ways to reduce dementia risk with their physician.
Freshwater plants in lakes with high bicarbonate concentrations have higher photosynthesis yields, altering species richness and composition. This shift is expected to change underwater meadow structure and predator protection for small animals and juvenile fish.
Scientists at Chinese Academy of Sciences create highly stable and coke-resistant Ni SAC, overcoming in situ catalyst deactivation. The unique capacity for selective activation of CH4's first C-H bond explains the intrinsic coke resistance.
A new study from Yale University finds that a ketogenic diet can enhance the body's natural response to influenza by activating gamma delta T cells, which produce mucus in lung cell linings. The research suggests that the way the body burns fat may fuel the immune system's ability to fight flu infection.
Harvard researchers have uncovered fundamental physical properties of artificial muscle fibers, shedding light on their shape transformations and design principles. The study explains the theoretical principles underlying complex morphology and provides guidelines for designing optimal soft actuators.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science found that vesicles transported out of the Golgi, not from the cell membrane, are crucial for endosome formation. This discovery reveals a new mechanism to explain how cells sort and distribute substances.
A new study finds that nearly half of 50- to 64-year-olds think they're likely to develop dementia, but only 5% have talked to a doctor about reducing their risk. Meanwhile, many use unproven tactics like supplements and brain games to stave off the disease.
Researchers at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ have developed a model that can predict the effects of toxicants on sensitive individuals and species at very low concentrations. The model takes into account the interaction between toxicant concentration, individual sensitivity, and environmental stress.
Cody Edwards, Associate Provost for a Sustainable Earth at George Mason University, received two funding awards from the Smithsonian Institution. The awards total $237,500 and support educational initiatives at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation.
Researchers found that nematodes from infested areas are resistant to benzoxazinoids, a defense substance stored in maize roots. This resistance allows the nematodes to become immune to self-defense mechanisms used by the pests, enabling them to continue controlling pest populations effectively.
NASA's Aqua satellite detected highest water vapor concentrations and coldest cloud top temperatures north and west of Kalmaegi's center. This analysis provides critical data on the storm's development potential and intensity.
Tropical Storm Raymond has strengthened and organized into a tropical storm, with winds reaching near 45 mph and estimated minimum central pressure of 1005 millibars. The system is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 2-4 inches across southern Baja California Sur, posing life-threatening flash flood risks.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have identified an antibody that can potentially become a new treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Treatment with this specific antibody was found to reverse the process behind PAH development, showing promise for clinical development.
Scientists from Technical University of Munich found that the plug dome's permeability drops significantly as stone alteration increases, leading to an imminent eruption. This discovery enables more reliable prediction of volcanic eruptions, with reduced outgassing being a key indicator of an impending event.
Researchers in Spain found nearly half of patients were misdiagnosed with hypophosphatasia, a rare genetic disorder. Up to 15,000 cases may be currently undetected in the Spanish population.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have developed a novel computational method, iEDGE, which identified several candidate breast cancer drivers and multiple pan-cancer drivers, including TRIP13 and TPX2.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens found that mild Zika virus infection in fetuses can lead to abnormal brain development and impaired immunity in young animals. The research provides new insights into the potential outcomes of Zika virus infection and could point to new prevention and treatment strategies.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital found that uninfected adolescents and young adults born to mothers with HIV have a fourfold increased risk of obesity and asthma-like symptoms. The study revealed metabolic and immune consequences of in utero HIV exposure.
A two-year trial found that chronic smokers who transition to e-cigarettes demonstrated significant improvements in vascular health within four weeks. Women experienced greater gains by switching compared to men.
A study by Yale researchers has found that adipose B cells in belly fat unexpectedly proliferate with aging, contributing to increased inflammation and metabolic decline. The expansion can be reversed by reducing macrophage signals and removing adipose B cells.
Lichens are now known to have evolved millions of years after complex plants, contradicting the long-held theory that they were among the first organisms to colonize land. This new understanding sheds light on the early evolution of ecosystems and the role of lichens in shaping the environment.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University found that age affects the well-being of newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes patients. Younger individuals experience higher diabetes-related and psychological stress. Older adults tend to have less psychological stress and better self-care, blood sugar control, and medication adherence.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute uncover forgotten metabolic pathway in ocean microorganisms, finding widespread distribution and ecological significance. The discovery provides valuable insights into the degradation of glycolic acid and its impact on global climate change.
Arizona State University received five prestigious Department of Energy awards totaling $9.8 million to advance solar energy research and development. The funding will support projects to lower solar electricity costs, boost manufacturing, and make solar systems more resilient.
Research Professor Quansong Tong at George Mason University has received two grants from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He aims to incorporate VIIRS albedo data into EDA package and develop a new wind energy partitioning scheme for improved dust emission forecasts.
Researchers identified gene expression changes specific to early, progressive and end-stage fibrosis, as well as distinct molecular regulators for each stage. The study provides the first computational model of disease progression in IPF lung, accompanied by an interactive website.
A new function of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectin LecB has been discovered: it blocks the cell cycle in host cells, leading to slowed or halted wound healing. This impairment occurs through the silent internalization of growth factor receptors, triggering intense vacuolization and cell death.
Researchers at the University of Malaga found that social interaction can diminish interest in cocaine. The study used an animal model and showed that positive stimuli like social interaction with another animal reduced preference for the drug.
The FinEstBeAMS beamline at the MAX IV Laboratory in Sweden has conducted its first scientific experiments, studying the electronic structure of three ionic liquids. The research aims to understand the properties of ionic liquids for their application potential in supercapacitors.
A recent study published in Neuroimage found that inflammation specifically affects the brain's readiness to reach and maintain an alert state, leading to mental sluggishness. The research suggests that even mild illnesses can reduce alertness, and anti-inflammatory drugs may help preserve or improve cognitive function.
A genetic study of ancient bone samples in Finland discovered separate populations during the Iron Age, influencing modern Finns' gene pool. The study found lineages typical of hunter-gatherers and European farmers coexisted in different regions.
A team of researchers from Japan and the UK has identified a crucial communication route in developing chloroplasts, the energy factories of plant cells. The newly characterized protein GUN1 regulates tetrapyrrole biosynthesis, controlling the cell's production of heme.