A new catalyst developed by Stanford University engineers can convert carbon dioxide into fuels like ethane, propane, and butane, yielding four times more fuel than existing methods. The breakthrough could significantly reduce the near-term impact on global warming.
Researchers discovered a single nucleotide mutation in P. aeruginosa that caused rapid resistance to ceftolozane-tazobactam and partial resensitization to carbapenems and piperacilline-tazobactam. This finding may enable the use of these antibiotics in treating extremely drug-resistant P. aeruginosa cases.
The Plasma Liner Experiment is testing a novel plasma fusion concept while providing insights into the physics of colliding plasma jets. Experiments are also helping to validate simulations crucial for understanding and developing other controlled fusion schemes.
A study found that fine particulate matter increased by 5% between 2016-2018, leading to 9,700 additional premature deaths and $89 billion damages. The rise was associated with economic activity, wildfires, and decreased enforcement of the Clean Air Act.
A pilot program introducing safer mining practices in Nigerian gold mining communities has reduced blood lead levels among miners by 32%. The study, published in the British Medical Journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, also found that women miners experienced lower reductions in lead levels. The project's success demonstrat...
Researchers at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory developed new mathematical tools to forecast when waves will cool plasma and quench fusion reactions. A second beam injected at a different angle can suppress the effect of waves, providing new methods for maintaining plasma confinement.
A team from ISGlobal developed a new statistical climate model that can predict El Niño episodes up to two-and-a-half years in advance, improving long-term forecasts. The model uses sea temperatures and winds in the tropical Pacific as predictor variables.
Columbia University researchers have captured the most detailed images yet of a temperature-sensing molecule in its open, intermediate, and closed states. The findings will help us understand the mechanics of hot and cold sensation, which could accelerate the development of drugs for inflammatory skin disease, itch, and pain.
A recent study analyzed over 4.7 million mtDNA sequences from GenBank and found fewer errors than predicted, with less than 1% of sequences mislabeled. The researchers identified potential sources of error, such as human or lab animal contamination, but overall found GenBank to be a reliable tool for environmental DNA identification.
Scientists have doubled the highest electron energy ever produced by a laser plasma accelerator, reaching 7.8 billion electron volts (GeV) in an 8-inch-long plasma. This breakthrough is crucial for building next-generation particle colliders that accelerate electrons to extreme energies.
A study found that mothers have a positive influence on adult children's health, while fathers are often seen as 'cautionary tales' about poor health behaviors. Mothers tend to be supportive and available when needed, whereas fathers may encourage unhealthy habits.
Researchers found that American Indians experience a higher risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) than other racial and ethnic groups. The study analyzed 300,000 new cases of AFib in California residents between 2005 and 2011, revealing that American Indians had an average of 7.5 AFib cases per year per thousand patients.
Typhoon Bualoi rapidly intensified over 24 hours, developing an eye and powerful thunderstorms. The storm's organization and strength were assessed using satellite imagery provided by NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite.
Adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia experience neurocognitive deficits and reduced exercise capacity due to their disease and treatment. However, a minor improvement in exercise tolerance may have a significant impact on survivors' intellectual health, improving performance on neuropsychological tests.
Scientists warn that large-scale afforestation in African savannas will destroy valuable ecological, agricultural, and tourist areas. The plan, aimed at mitigating climate change, is considered irresponsible due to its potential to increase wildfire intensity and exacerbate global warming.
The American Society of Anesthesiologists has recognized Dr. Jerome M. Klafta's outstanding contributions to medical education, with a focus on innovative program development and cultivating the next generation of physician anesthesiologists.
A study led by UC San Francisco has found antibodies against enterovirus in the spinal fluid of nearly 70% of AFM patients, but not in non-AFM patients. This evidence suggests that AFM is caused by an enterovirus invading and impairing the central nervous system.
A new method enables automatic replication of detailed 3D shapes in a digital environment, overcoming the challenge of replicating cube-style shapes. The algorithm captures realistic cubic style and allows users to create new shapes resembling the input shape.
Screening for ever-smokers with high lung cancer risk and long life-expectancy can prevent more deaths than current guidelines. A new study suggests using gains in life expectancy as a criterion to select candidates for screening, which could improve the balance of benefits and harms.
Researchers report a shift in El Niño onset from the eastern Pacific to the western Pacific, leading to more frequent and intense extreme events. Climate models predict further intensification under anthropogenic climate change.
Researchers discovered significant lead pollution at Kincaid Mounds site due to galena processing and use by Native Americans. Sediment core samples revealed higher lead levels during the pre-Columbian period, tracing back to galena deposits in Missouri and the Upper Mississippi Valley.
Researchers developed a neural network, PatchFCN, trained on 4,396 CT scans to detect brain hemorrhage abnormalities with accuracy similar to human experts. The algorithm achieved high accuracy and pixel-level delineation, classifying abnormalities into different pathological subtypes.
A research team has identified a novel caloric restriction mimetic, 3,4-dimethoxychalcone, which induces autophagy and promotes longevity. The substance may prove useful in treating age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Tropical Storm Priscilla made landfall in western Mexico on October 20, causing widespread rainfall accumulations. The storm dissipated by nightfall, leaving behind remnants that moved northwards.
Conflict events repeatedly reversed a declining phase of the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to researchers. Vaccination effectiveness was severely impacted by preceding unrest and subsequent conflict events, dropping from 52% to 4.8%.
New approaches in transcriptomics are providing single cell views of brain development and disease, including cellular processes associated with addiction and degeneration. These studies highlight the potential of transcriptomics to probe molecular changes within brain cells during normal development or diseases such as Alzheimer's and...
Research team finds wood chips from ancient trees dating back 19 million years in ocean core samples, revealing a previously unrecognized way carbon remains locked away for millions of years. The discovery suggests that the amount of carbon exported and buried by modern rivers may be 50% greater than previously thought.
A £4 million EU-funded study is investigating the likelihood of abrupt changes in Antarctica's ice sheets, which could lead to a large and irreversible rise in global sea levels. The researchers aim to assess the chances of Antarctica's ice sheets entering an unstable retreat caused by thinning or disappearance of ice shelves.
Researchers have discovered seven distinct combinations of yeast species in bottles of beer, wine, and cider, highlighting the complexity of brewing traditions. The study found that some yeasts were hybrids of as many as four species, and that specific genetic traits contribute to the characteristics of fermented beverages.
A study by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago found that one in eight pharmacies in the US closed between 2009 and 2015. Independent pharmacies in urban areas are disproportionately affected, with nearly half closing due to lack of access to preferred pharmacy networks and 340B contracts.
A new CRISPR approach called prime editing has been developed by combining two key proteins and a new RNA to make targeted insertions, deletions, and single-letter changes in human cells. The system expands the scope of gene editing with up to 89% precision and potential correction of disease-causing genetic variations.
Researchers have discovered that injecting frozen hydrogen fuel pellets into a fusion reactor's plasma can help repair tears in the surrounding magnetic field, reducing magnetic island instabilities. This approach may improve the efficiency of future fusion power plants by freeing up resources needed for magnetic stability.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that adapting the Hospital Elder Life Program for non-volunteers and family members can effectively prevent post-operative delirium. The tailored intervention reduced delirium occurrence by 19.4% compared to usual care, with greater functional and cognitive recovery afterwards.
Researchers have identified a new set of senolytic drugs that can selectively eliminate senescent cells, including those triggered by cancer and irradiation. These compounds, such as ouabain, are repurposed from existing heart medications to treat various diseases, including leukemia and lymphoma.
A study led by Drexel University showed that coloring and open-studio art therapy benefits stressed caregivers of cancer patients, reducing stress, anxiety, and burnout. The interventions improved positive affect, pleasure, and enjoyment while increasing desire to continue making art.
Beverly Davidson, a leading neuroscientist and gene therapy expert, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine. Her research focuses on understanding neurodegeneration in inherited brain disorders and developing novel molecular medicines.
Theresa Cullen, a global health informatics researcher at Regenstrief Institute, has received the Leading for Impact award for driving transformation in health IT. She will present a fireside chat on leadership at the conference.
A new study has confirmed that a massive asteroid impact led to the extinction of dinosaurs and much of life on Earth. The impact caused rapid ocean acidification, which lasted for tens of thousands of years before life forms recovered and the carbon cycle reached a new equilibrium.
A comprehensive review of plant reproductive systems provides new perspectives on heterostyly, highlighting recent advances and unresolved questions. The study explores the ecology, evolution, genetics, and genomics of plant reproductive strategies, shedding light on their role in ecological interactions and evolutionary change.
A recent study reveals that half of the Earth's land surface remains relatively wild, but fragmented into small pieces, posing a threat to their future. The report identifies high-priority areas for protection, including remote boreal forests and tropical rainforests.
A team of scientists discovered that classic Belgian beers, including Gueuze and Trappist ales, are fermented with rare hybrid yeasts combining DNA from traditional ale yeast and stress-resistant feral yeasts. This unique adaptation allows for better fermentation capacity and special aromas.
Researchers developed a new approach to detect bacteria and viruses associated with cancers. By sequencing genomic data from tumors, they can identify pathogens linked to diseases such as stomach cancer and cervical cancer. The method holds promise for developing new cancer vaccines in the future.
A Yale study reveals that hiring managers judge candidates' competence and fitness for a job based on socioeconomic position inferred from brief speech patterns. The study shows that these snap perceptions influence hiring decisions in ways that perpetuate inequality.
Researchers from the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research have discovered a chaperone protein that affects CenH3 loading to centromeres, crucial for kinetochore assembly. This finding has potential applications in plant breeding, particularly in haploid induction, which can speed up breeding processes.
Pharmacy closures in the US are becoming increasingly common, with significant implications for patient access to essential medications and care. The research letter highlights several risk factors associated with closure, including demographic changes, consolidation of pharmacies, and regulatory issues.
A new AI algorithm developed by UCSF and UC Berkeley outperformed two out of four expert radiologists in detecting tiny brain hemorrhages on head scans. The algorithm achieved exam-level accuracy, tracing detailed outlines of abnormalities within the brain's three-dimensional structure.
A study published in PNAS reveals that corticobasal ganglia projecting neurons play a crucial role in song learning during juvenile development. In contrast, adult birds with disrupted projection neurons maintain their pre-learned song structure and exhibit normal vocal fluctuations.
Researchers found that cells on a tumor's periphery are softer and more likely to invade surrounding tissues. This softness enables the cells to spread through the body's vasculature, forming 'invasive tips' that break away from the tumor.
Shock wave physics studies material behavior under tremendous forces, with applications to nuclear and conventional weapons, astrophysics, and material synthesis. Sandia's achievements in shock wave science include the construction of the world's largest high frequency electromagnetic wave generator.
A large US study found that 1 in 5 patients was prescribed opioids after having a pacemaker or similar device implanted, with 80 percent having never taken opioids before. The study highlights the importance of improving postoperative pain management following cardiac device procedures to reduce opioid prescriptions.
Researchers discovered 48 genetic variations associated with brainstem and subcortical structure volumes, including those related to diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The study's findings may lead to novel drug targets for treating these conditions.
Studies show intestinal bacterial imbalance linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's Disease and traumatic brain injury. Probiotics may improve brain function by altering the gut microbiome, reducing amyloid beta plaque and memory deficits.
A team of neuroengineers at Columbia University has uncovered the steps that take place in the brain to pick out one voice from among many. The auditory cortex, the brain's listening center, decodes and amplifies one voice over others at lightning-fast speeds, with two areas, Heschl's gyrus (HG) and superior temporal gyrus (STG), playi...
UCI researchers found that as trees and plants conserve water due to high CO2 levels, soil moisture builds up underground, leading to increased rain runoff. This 'forest effect' can significantly impact river dynamics, particularly in regions like the Mississippi River basin.
A Yale University study reveals that the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event was triggered by a sharp drop in ocean acidity, leading to the demise of marine calcifiers and a 50% decline in species productivity. The research provides new insights into the recovery of marine life after the event.
The KAUST team developed porous membranes from recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), reducing the energy used in chemical separation processes. The membranes can withstand high temperatures and separate molecules of different sizes.
Researchers have discovered a tiny, fully functional extra finger in the aye-aye's hand, which is believed to aid in gripping and mobility. The pseudothumb is composed of both bone and cartilage and has three distinct muscles that enable movement and force.
Scientists at NIF recreate stellar-like conditions to study nucleosynthesis reactions, including the 3He-3He reaction responsible for nearly half of our sun's energy generation. Preliminary results show that protons from this reaction have been observed in these experiments at lower temperatures.
A recent twin study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found a strong correlation between good cardiovascular health and improved cognitive function. The research suggests that adopting an ideal lifestyle with low CVH scores may not only reduce heart disease but also lower dementia risk.
Researchers at UMass Amherst and a Brazilian institute recorded the loudest bird calls ever documented by dove-sized male white bellbirds. The calls have sound pressure levels about three times that of screaming pihas, another Amazon species.