A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that many popular food products sold in the EU fail to meet nutrition criteria set to restrict marketing to children. The research analyzed over 2,700 pre-packaged foods across 20 EU countries and discovered that nearly 70% of products were ineligible for direct marketing to kids.
A rapid triage test can distinguish active TB from similar diseases in adults, potentially helping to diagnose cases in vulnerable populations such as those with HIV. The ultra-sensitive immunoassay screens for four blood proteins and achieved sensitivity and specificity of 86% and 69%, respectively.
The 'KARAPPO' gene is essential for initiating gemma development in liverwort, triggering cell elongation and asymmetrical cell divisions. This discovery has fundamental implications for understanding vegetative reproduction mechanisms and their potential applications in agriculture and biotechnology.
A new antiviral drug blocks RNA polymerase, inducing mutations in the genetic material of the influenza virus and rendering it nonfunctional. The study found the drug to be highly efficacious against various strains of the flu, including seasonal and pandemic viruses.
Scientists at ETH Zurich have created a new family of bioresorbable magnesium alloys containing zinc and calcium, which can be resorbed by the human body. Analytical transmission electron microscopy revealed a previously unknown dealloying mechanism governing the dissolution of precipitates in the magnesium matrix.
A recent study has confirmed that a fetus has its own microbiome, which is transmitted from the mother. This finding opens up potential interventions during pregnancy to stimulate the fetal microbiome and improve preemie growth and immune system.
Researchers have developed a catalyst to upcycle polyethylene plastic waste into high-quality liquid products like motor oils and waxes. The new catalyst produces intermediate-sized hydrocarbons, increasing the value of the resulting materials.
A fast and ultrasensitive multiplexed blood-based TB triage test analyzes a signature of four proteins and an anti-TB antibody to identify patients with tuberculosis. The test demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity in clinical trials, making it a promising solution for low-resource countries where diagnosing ATB is challenging.
Researchers at Duke University found that acquisitions by large, for-profit dialysis companies hurt patient health, survival rates and transplant rates. After acquisition, patients were more likely to be hospitalized, survived lower rates, and had reduced access to life-saving transplants.
Researchers found that common marmosets learn and adopt new dialects when moving to a new colony, suggesting socially learned dialects. The study provides insight into the origins of language in primates.
A new study by UC San Diego health scientists found that 6.4 million Americans search for CBD online every month, surpassing interest in acupuncture, apple cider vinegar, and other health products. The study analyzed Google search queries from 2004 to 2019 and forecasts a 180% increase in searches for 2019.
The One Thousand Plant Transcriptomes Initiative reveals the complex history of land plants and green algae, including previously unknown duplications and expansions of genes. The data shed light on plant evolution, relationships between lineages, and potential avenues for evolutionary development.
Analysis of 126 local vessels and seven imported Attic ceramics revealed the presence of Mediterranean grape wine earlier than expected. This suggests that wine was available to all members of the community, at least early in Heuneburg's history, complicating previous assumptions about elite consumption practices.
A team of researchers has developed a new method to detect neurotransmitters at extremely low concentrations using an electrochemical approach. This breakthrough could lead to early detection of diseases such as depression and Alzheimer's, allowing for more effective treatment.
Researchers at UNIGE have developed a new formula, C2, composed of four anti-cancer drugs that target and kill tumour cells while leaving healthy cells intact. The formula has shown promising results in reducing the risk of resistance and side effects associated with high-dose treatments.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new way to pre-program microfluidic devices, allowing for smart, autonomous behavior without external components. This breakthrough could enable the creation of portable, wearable technologies for applications in medicine, energy, and space exploration.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science create an alpha-gel using an oleic acid-based surfactant, which can retain water and spread evenly on surfaces. The gel's ability to hold water makes it suitable for skincare products like skin creams.
Filters are ineffective and contribute to global plastic pollution, with the largest part being non-biodegradable cellulose acetate. Experts recommend banning filtered cigarettes to reduce waste and strengthen ties between environment and health communities.
A study on male spider mating found that they possess nervous tissue and sensory organs in their copulatory organs, contrary to previous beliefs. This discovery suggests that these organs may play a role in the transfer of sperm and assessing female spiders during mating.
Researchers have characterized slow-slip events more precisely than previously possible, finding they obey the same scaling laws as regular earthquakes. This discovery opens the door for geoscientists to study these frequent and nondestructive events to better understand earthquake mechanics.
University of Houston assistant professor Judy Wu is examining a connection between noncovalent interactions and aromaticity, which could control the strengths of noncovalent interactions for drug and materials discovery. Her project aims to bridge computer models with practical impacts in biomedical research.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a novel imaging technique to visualize kinesin motor proteins and their cargo. The study shows that the 'smart motor' theory is not the only regulation at play, suggesting the involvement of adapter proteins.
Researchers created the most comprehensive evolutionary tree for green plants using genetic data from 1,147 species. The study found that the transition from aquatic to terrestrial plants was a key event in driving genetic diversity and plant evolution.
A new UCL-led study found that the lowest-paid workers in the UK have three more years of retirement on average compared to their professional counterparts. However, they are also more likely to suffer from ill health after retiring.
Research from the University of Cambridge found an association between increased BMI and significant reductions in cortical thickness, as well as poorer performance at tests measuring executive function. The study used data from 2,700 children aged 9-11 years and controlled for various factors, including age, sex, and parental education.
Chronic kidney disease patients are at an increased risk of heart attacks, congestive heart failure, stroke, and other adverse cardiovascular events. The study found that chronic kidney disease is associated with a 95% higher risk of heart attack during the follow-up period.
Researchers successfully demonstrated quantum supremacy by harnessing Google's Sycamore quantum computer and ORNL Summit supercomputer, showcasing the power of quantum computing for solving complex tasks. The experiment outperformed the classical system by a significant margin, providing critical information for future quantum computers.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that cell competition modulates morphogen gradients to eliminate unhealthy cells and maintain tissue patterning. The researchers found that aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling leads to changes in membrane expression levels of proteins, resulting in cell death via apoptosis.
Researchers at the University of Kansas have secured an $8 million grant to expand a program that boosts engagement and reduces disruptive behaviors in schools across the nation. The CW-FIT intervention will be expanded nationally, with nearly 10,000 students in grades three through five participating.
UCF researchers have created an infrared detector that can enhance night vision capabilities by detecting different wavelengths of infrared light. The technology has implications for improving what can be seen in space, chemical and biological disaster areas, and on the battlefield. The detector operates faster than existing cameras an...
A recent study by Colorado State University researchers highlights the impact of climate change on aging US bridges. The analysis reveals that rising temperatures will disproportionately affect bridges in northern regions, leading to increased thermal stress and potential structural damage.
A new analysis suggests that Medicaid expansion provided greater improvements in health insurance coverage for married people, particularly women, compared to unmarried individuals. The study found that after expansion, uninsured rates were lower for married women by 1.6 percentage points than for unmarried women.
Physicists propose detecting wormholes by searching for small deviations in the orbit of stars near Sagittarius A*, a supermassive black hole. The technique could reveal the presence of traversable or non-traversable wormholes.
Researchers discovered a connection between changes in internal gravity wave parameters five days before an earthquake, enabling the development of short-term forecast methods. The study's results show that IGWs can be used to identify seismically active regions and make predictions about upcoming seismic events.
Mathematicians from RUDN University have proved a unique continuation theorem for a one dimensional solution to a fractional order diffusion problem, which can help calculate water movement in porous rock. The results of their work are needed for more accurate analysis and numerical simulation of solutions.
The U.S. Army's foundational research program has led to advancements in four critical areas of ground combat robotics, including sensing, movement, and teamwork. The government investment is crucial for ensuring U.S. Warfighters maintain a combat advantage, while also aligning research priorities to defeat near-peer adversarial threats.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers links piperonyl butoxide, a common insecticide synergist, to stunted forebrain development and facial abnormalities in mice. The chemical's interference with the sonic hedgehog signaling pathway suggests a potential link to rare human birth defects like holoprosencephaly.
A recent study mapping international drug use by analyzing wastewater from over 60 million people in 120 cities worldwide reveals significant regional variations. Methamphetamine dominated North American and Australasian cities, while cocaine use was high in southern and western Europe.
Typhoon Bualoi continues to move through the Northwestern Pacific Ocean, experiencing heavy rain around its eye, falling at a rate of over 50 mm/hour. Forecasters incorporate the rainfall data into their forecasts for updated hurricane weather information.
A clinical trial is recruiting volunteers aged 18-50 to be deliberately infected with influenza virus under controlled conditions. The study aims to assess the impact of pre-existing antibodies on flu symptoms, fever and muscle aches. Volunteers will undergo follow-up clinic visits for up to 90 days after challenge.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital analyzed national data on the prevalence of diabetes and the number of internal medicine specialists in each U.S. state. They found that cardiologists were the highest represented specialists, suggesting they are well-positioned to provide optimal care for patients with diabetes.
Astronomers detected freshly made heavy element, strontium, in space after a neutron star merger, confirming the process by which it forms. This discovery provides a missing piece of the puzzle of chemical element formation and ties rapid neutron capture to neutron star mergers.
The study uses low-temperature scanning electron microscopy to image the nanoscale architecture of tree cell walls in their living state. It reveals that macrofibril structures with a diameter exceeding 10 nanometres are common across all trees studied, providing new insights into wood's mechanical properties.
Researchers found complex patterns of mutations, including changes in cancer genes, and a huge variability of mutations in healthy colon tissue. The study provides insight into how a healthy cell becomes a cancerous one and identifies new mutational signatures in normal colon cells.
A recent study published in Nature reveals a new framework for understanding the evolution of green plants over 1 billion years. The research, led by an international consortium of scientists, generated gene sequences for over 1100 plant species and provides insight into how plants evolved to produce useful chemicals.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that bacteria evolving alongside other microbes develop resistance to phages using an immune mechanism called CRISPR-Cas. This resistance does not reduce the bacteria's virulence, with similar effects expected in humans.
A Danish study of over 300,000 children born between 1980-2000 found that higher parental income during childhood was linked to a lower risk of developing schizophrenia later in life. The study analyzed data on family income until age 15 and its association with the development of psychotic disorders.
Scientists have identified a link between gut microbiota and brain cell communication, revealing altered gene expression in immune cells that disrupts learning processes. Restoring gut microbiota at birth rescues learning deficits, suggesting early-life signals play a crucial role.
A new study reveals that young adult women with a history of childhood maltreatment experience higher levels of pain and more frequent episodes of pain compared to their non-abused peers. The researchers suggest that addressing stress symptoms and poor coping mechanisms may help reduce the impact of childhood abuse on young adult health.
A high-salt diet may negatively affect cognitive function by causing a deficiency of nitric oxide, which is vital for maintaining vascular health in the brain. This can lead to the accumulation of tau deposits, contributing to dementia and cognitive impairment.
A new study published in the Journal of the British Archaeological Association suggests that the Bayeux Tapestry was designed to be hung along the north, south, and west sides of the nave of Bayeux Cathedral. The research confirms that the tapestry was intended for a specific area of the cathedral and sheds light on its original displa...
A new study published in Seismological Research Letters found that deep landslides triggered by the 1964 magnitude 9.2 Great Alaska earthquake were not reactivated by the 2018 magnitude 7.1 Anchorage earthquake. Researchers attributed this to the shorter duration and higher frequency of shaking during the 2018 quake, which likely kept ...
Researchers found that acetate from alcohol metabolism alters proteins that regulate DNA function in the brain, affecting gene expression and behavior. This discovery provides a new understanding of the biology behind cravings and offers potential targets for treating alcohol abuse and fetal alcohol syndrome.
Researchers identified how specific genes dictate hair cell patterns in zebrafish, shedding light on mechanisms behind congenital hearing loss in humans. The study found that genetic alterations can lead to circular or spiral patterns in hair cells, providing new directions for tackling congenital hearing problems.
Researchers developed a computer model inspired by biological brain mechanisms to predict and recognize new information, enabling robots to mimic behaviors. The model may help reveal the cognitive underpinnings of Autism Spectrum Disorder, where individuals tend to minimize error and prefer repetitive social interactions.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that male mice sent to space for 35 days retained their reproductive ability upon return. The research team also reported healthy offspring with no effects from the parents' space stay.
A new protocol, On-Off Noise Power Communication (ONPC), extends Wi-Fi signal range by over 60 meters using software updates. The innovation requires no new hardware and can supplement existing Wi-Fi networks.
A Dartmouth computer scientist has received a $1.5 million grant to develop machine learning approaches that can reveal relationships between clinical and pathologic findings, patient genetic profiles, and drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer patients. The goal is to provide personalized treatment strategies for NSCLC patients.
A recent study analyzing data from over 12,500 black adults in the US found that nearly 32.5% of cardiovascular disease cases are attributed to hypertension. Maintaining normal blood pressure may help reduce CVD among black adults, according to the research.
A newly discovered tetrapod, Parmastega aelidae, provides insight into the earliest stages of evolution from fish to amphibians. The fossil, dating back 372 million years, exhibits fish-like characteristics and may have never left the water.