A new video game framework brings together two well-studied approaches to educational software, integrating narrative-centered learning and collaborative learning techniques. In proof-of-concept testing, the framework fostered both learning and effective collaboration in sixth graders, showing promise for future efforts in the field.
Researchers at MIT have developed a way to encapsulate iron and vitamin A in a biocompatible polymer, which can be easily added to staple foods. The technology has the potential to help billions of people suffering from micronutrient deficiencies, particularly children who are more susceptible to diseases like measles.
Experts emphasize the need for societal shift in understanding longevity, with a focus on health-related behaviors across all ages. The Global Roadmap for Healthy Longevity initiative aims to gather evidence and produce a 10-year action plan adaptable to local contexts.
Researchers have solved the structure of cytochrome b6f, a protein complex that powers plant growth via photosynthesis. The discovery reveals new insights into how the complex regulates photosynthetic efficiency in response to environmental conditions.
Researchers at KAUST found that under certain conditions, bubbles or droplets suspended in liquid can bounce off each other due to interface mobility, leading to slower coalescence and unexpected behavior.
A study by Kristina Scott found that a structured group work protocol increased social interactions among four children with ASD, aged 10-11, who had been excluded from peer groups. The protocol helped them maintain meaningful conversations with peers, although three of the subjects returned to baseline after the experiment.
AFAR presents its Scientific Awards of Distinction to Pinchas Cohen, M.D., and Nathan LeBrasseur, Ph.D., recognizing their pioneering work in understanding cellular senescence and the discovery of novel peptides. The awards honor exceptional contributions to aging research and come with a cash prize and framed citations.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine founds that blocking the molecule ALCAM can delay the progression of multiple sclerosis. The disease causes symptoms such as fatigue, lack of coordination and vision problems in people like 20,000 Canadians with the disease.
Researchers are developing new metal conductors to replace indium tin oxide (ITO) in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), addressing limitations such as high cost and poor performance. The new technology, funded by a $1 million DOE grant, aims to improve OLED displays with enhanced brightness and flexibility.
Researchers develop AI-driven platform to design, build, test and learn complex biochemical pathways for efficient production of lycopene, a red pigment used as food coloring. The system reduces time and cost by narrowing down possible pathways from over 10,000 to 100.
Scientists explore how dark matter influences antimatter, searching for clues that could link the two aspects of the universe. They use captured antiprotons to detect changes in spin precession frequency, which could indicate dark matter's presence.
Researchers at Cornell University describe how cells initiate and perform endocytosis, a process crucial for everyday cell functioning. They found that NECAP acts like a chip clip to clamp shut the AP2 protein complex, preventing endocytosis.
A new study suggests that climate change played a role in the collapse of the Neo-Assyrian Empire by exacerbating agricultural productivity declines. The research used high-resolution paleoclimate records from northern Iraq to show that a megadrought may have encouraged invading armies and led to political unrest.
A new study at U-M found that the addition of IVF coverage to health insurance plans increased the rate of IVF among university employees, with a nine-fold increase in the lowest-salary bracket. The benefit led to greater equity in fertility rates across income groups.
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine successfully applied phage therapy in mice for a condition not considered a classic bacterial infection: alcoholic liver disease. Phages target the cytolysin toxin produced by Enterococcus faecalis, reducing bacteria and alleviating liver damage.
Researchers discovered that Tulane virus, a calicivirus similar to human noroviruses, requires intracellular calcium for replication and uses its protein NS1-2 to hijack cellular calcium signaling. This finding suggests that norovirus might use a similar strategy to infect epithelial cells.
A study analyzing US melanoma data found a decline in adolescent and young adult cases between 2006 and 2015, while older adults experienced an increase in melanoma rates during the same period. The research used registry data to determine age-specific annual rates of melanoma.
After recreational marijuana legalization, past-year cannabis use disorder among 12-17 year-olds increased from 2.18% to 2.72%. Frequent marijuana use among 26+ year-olds also increased, from 2.13% to 2.62%, and those with cannabis disorder rose from 0.90% to 1.23%. No association found among 18-25 year-olds.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that 86% of diet trials amended their primary outcomes. This discrepancy raises questions about the rigor of these trials and potential biases. Researchers are calling for more investment in rigorous diet research to pin down the effects of dietary changes.
Complementary therapies used to treat breast cancer skin lesions may delay wound healing and interfere with systemic treatments. Herbal products like green chiretta and feverfew have been shown to negatively impact blood clotting, exacerbating scarring and dressing effectiveness.
A new study reveals European ash has moderately good resistance to the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a beetle that has devastated ash species in the USA and some parts of Russia. The research found that European ash can restrict EAB development, while also exhibiting similar resistance to Manchurian ash.
Research found that colonoscopy accuracy has improved overall in England, but variation between providers remains. The study suggests that some independent providers have higher rates of missed cancers compared to NHS providers.
Researchers discover BRN4 overexpression drives neuroendocrine prostate cancer cell conversion in patients with recurrent cancer. Exosome inhibitors under study as potential treatment.
Researchers found that Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) and white-faced plover (Charadrius dealbatus) diverged around half a million years ago due to sea level changes. The study revealed high genetic divergence on sex chromosomes, suggesting sexual selection played a role in species evolution.
A study published in Neurology found that adults with low levels of education and limited access to education were more likely to develop dementia. Adults who learned to read and write had lower scores on memory and thinking tests at the start of the study, but their test scores did not decline as rapidly as those who were illiterate.
The 2019 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards honored reporters from around the world for their coverage of topics such as killer whales, air quality, and nuclear research facilities. Reporters from The Seattle Times won multiple awards for their in-depth series on Puget Sound's dying orcas.
A study found that higher-income households are more likely to irrigate, fertilize, and use pesticides in their yards. Neighborly pressure may also play a role, with those knowing more neighbors more likely to engage in these practices.
Chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy affects approximately 9% of cancer patients, leading to reduced heart function and poor outcomes. Researchers found that pacemakers can significantly improve left ventricular ejection fraction, a measure of blood flow from the heart, in these patients.
MM3D printing breaks the speed barrier for multimaterial 3D printing by switching between up to eight materials at 50 times per second. This enables the creation of complex shapes and origami-like architectures with high quality transitions.
Cases of melanoma declined among US adolescents and young adults from 2006 to 2015, with incidence rates dropping by 4% per year for males and 4.5% per year for females in the two age groups. Public health efforts advocating sun protection may be contributing to this trend.
A study by the University of Barcelona finds sediment accumulation outpaces nitrate toxicity in harming river ecosystems. Researchers warn that habitat degradation due to deforestation and agricultural practices threatens Europe's Water Framework Directive goals.
A new report by The Gerontological Society of America identifies three key steps for maintaining 'longevity fitness': cultivating social relationships, maintaining physical and mental health, and building financial security. The report provides actionable guidance to individuals and families to thrive as they age.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a building simulator to test energy savings in various buildings. The simulation is being tested in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as part of a partnership between the DOE and Electric Power Board.
A team from University of Tokyo utilized Summit's AI architecture to develop a faster solver for earthquake simulations, enabling more accurate models. The new approach accelerated simulation times by a factor of 1000, improving the efficiency and reliability of earthquake modeling.
Physicists observe unusual quantum critical point in a heavy fermion compound, breaking the Kondo effect and exhibiting strange metal behavior. The discovery could lead to the creation of new sustainable materials for quantum information devices and superconductors.
Scientists have successfully linked the extinct giant ape, Gigantopithecus blacki, to its closest living relative, the orangutan. Genetic material from a 2-million-year-old fossil was retrieved using ancient protein sequencing, revealing key insights into human evolution.
Scientists investigate potential connection between antimatter and dark matter using laboratory experiments. They found no difference in interaction, setting new limits on fundamental physics.
Researchers developed a novel bionic pacemaker that reads breathing signals to speed up and slow down the heart. This approach increases heart efficiency by 20% within two weeks, offering new hope for heart failure treatment.
A short training program equips family doctors to better respond to female patients experiencing domestic violence. Women who receive this specialized care feel more supported, confident, and less depressed than those without such training.
Researchers are designing a toilet that can analyze urine for biomarkers of various human conditions, such as cancer and diabetes. The technology has the potential to provide early warning systems for viral or bacterial outbreaks and track medication effectiveness in older adults.
A new study found that puberty may offer a window of opportunity to recalibrate cortisol responses in children who experienced early life deprivation, such as institutional care. As these children age, their stress hormone levels increase and become more responsive to stress, similar to those who were not affected by deprivation.
A novel mathematical framework has been developed to map out precisely how different perturbations of the interactome influence each other. The study reveals that the position of targets of a given drug on the interactome is not random but rather localized within drug modules.
Research from Ohio State University reveals differences in how men and women interact around thermostat settings, with women more likely to report conflicts. The study found that thermostat adjustments tend to occur after agreements and compromises, but conflicts are associated with fewer temperature changes.
A Penn Medicine study reveals a strong link between genetic variants associated with height and the risk of atrial fibrillation. Taller individuals are at an increased risk, with every one-inch increase in height translating to a three percent increase in risk.
A new model predicts children likely to go into septic shock, allowing for earlier treatment and potentially saving lives. The study analyzed 2,464 visits and found the model accurately predicted 90% of cases.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin propose a chemical perspective to understand fracture patterns, which can influence oil and gas production. By analyzing mineral coatings and fluid reactions, scientists may be able to tease out processes that drove fracture formation.
Researchers found that infants born in states with punitive policies had higher rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome, highlighting the need for public health approaches to prevention and expanded treatment access. Policies requiring reporting of prenatal substance use were not associated with increased withdrawal risk.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a new deep neural network to improve fluorescence lifetime imaging, enabling rapid and detailed analysis of cellular interactions in cancer cells. This technique requires less light while producing detailed images, bringing the field closer to clinical use for precision medicine.
Advanced breast cancer patients frequently receive inaccurate one-number estimates of their average survival time. Instead, a new method provides doctors with three scenarios: best-case, worst-case and typical survival times. This approach has been shown to be more helpful, easier to understand and reassuring for patients.
Osaka University researchers developed equations to quantify and eliminate electromagnetic interference, allowing for the design of EM noise-less electric circuits. Their method enables theoretical calculations of electric circuits with various configurations, confirming that a symmetrical configuration is the only solution to eliminat...
Researchers at the University of Arizona found that changes in rainfall patterns over the past 40 years have been insignificant in most places, with only some local areas showing significant changes. This suggests that scale matters and that climate change may not be the primary driver of migration from Central America.
A study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that kratom may be effective in reducing alcohol consumption but carries risks of addiction and side effects. The researchers suggest alternative therapies could provide safer treatment options for individuals with alcohol use disorder.
The American Chemical Society has identified 10 emerging start-ups revolutionizing the field of chemistry, from pharmaceuticals to green chemistry processes. These companies are addressing global issues such as microcontaminant removal, sustainable materials, and climate change.
A recent study found that the ratio of carbon isotopes in tuna has declined substantially since 2000, indicating shifts in phytoplankton populations. This change may be linked to increased ocean stratification and fossil fuel carbon capture, which could impact the marine food web.
Let's Encrypt, a nonprofit certificate authority co-founded by J. Alex Halderman, has revolutionized the implementation of HTTPS on websites worldwide. By offering free certificates and an automated process, it has driven a significant increase in secure websites, with the internet now boasting an 80% adoption rate.
A new technique called ELeCt uses drug-loaded nanoparticles bound to circulating red blood cells to inhibit lung cancer metastasis with tenfold greater success than free-floating nanoparticles. The research has shown improved survival rates and reduced side effects in mice with lung cancer, making it a promising clinical treatment.
Researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina found that the left lateral temporal cortex needs to be intact for a stroke survivor to successfully follow along with another speaker. The study suggests that speech entrainment therapy may improve the ability of patients with post-stroke aphasia to speak fluently and with less...
A review article highlights traditional and emerging cardiac-specific biomarkers to identify early risk factors for cardiovascular disease in childhood obesity. These biomarkers, such as cardiac troponins and natriuretic peptides, may help target treatment to high-risk individuals, reducing the risk of adult-onset cardiovascular disease.
Scientists have identified atypical immune B-cells that increase anti-PS antibody production associated with anaemia in malaria patients. These cells also develop and produce antibodies in uninfected individuals when exposed to broken red blood cell fragments.
Astronomers discovered ultrafast star S5-HVS1, ejected by supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* five million years ago. The star travels ten times faster than most stars in the Milky Way, with a speed of 6 million km/h.