Researchers at East Carolina University identify a highly diverse microbial community on a 1960s shipwreck, with iron-oxidizing bacteria contributing to biocorrosion. The study's findings highlight the need for tailored conservation efforts to address unique environmental factors and materials.
Scientists at University of California San Diego have produced the first visualizations of LRRK2 inside its natural cellular environment and the first high-resolution blueprint of the protein. They discovered how LRRK2 binds to microtubules, acting as a roadblock for motors that move along these tracks.
A new study reveals that plastic waste can release harmful chemicals into the stomach oil of seabirds like northern fulmars, potentially affecting their health over extended periods. The research highlights the importance of reducing plastic pollution in our oceans and dealing with waste responsibly.
A Rutgers study suggests that bacteria present in the Passaic River may be capable of dechlorinating 2,3,7,8-TeCDD, a toxic byproduct of combustion and chemical manufacturing. This process could potentially decrease the toxin's toxicity over time.
The NASA-NOAA satellite Suomi NPP provided a nighttime image of Hurricane Genevieve on August 18, showing its well-defined eye surrounded by powerful thunderstorms. Forecasters can use this infrared imagery to track the storm's strength and structure.
A prototype device has been developed to detect COVID-19 in exhaled breath, reducing the need for uncomfortable nasopharyngeal swabs. The sensor shows high accuracy in distinguishing COVID-19 cases from controls and lung infections, with potential applications for screening large populations.
Researchers at UCalgary have made significant breakthroughs in understanding how skin heals after severe burns, identifying a population of progenitor cells that can regenerate tissue. By modifying genetic programs and wound environments, the study offers hope for developing drugs to promote true regeneration and prevent scarring.
Researchers created oxygen-insensitive protein-based fluorescent sensors to study gut bacteria responses to metal imbalances. The sensors will reveal molecular mechanisms governing essential metals' impact on the human gut microbiota.
The study proposes a new perspective on urban development, revealing the complex interplay of individual and collective actions that drive meaningful change. It highlights the slow pace of change in cities and the negative impact of uncertainty and policies promoting aggregate growth on innovation and inequality.
Researchers found that COVID-19 patients often lack germinal centers, essential for a durable immune response, due to impaired helper T cell development. This can lead to short-lived immunity and increased risk of re-infection, complicating the development of herd immunity.
Leading coma experts have created a three-part plan to improve patient care and deepen understanding of coma and other conditions. The plan includes better classification of coma types, development of biomarkers to predict prognosis, and clinical trials for new therapies to promote recovery of consciousness.
Researchers have developed a new rechargeable zinc battery that integrates into the structure of a robot to provide much more energy. The battery uses a network of aramid nanofibers and a water-based polymer gel, making it environmentally friendly and efficient.
An international team of researchers has observed how electronic charge excitation changes electron spin in metal oxides in an ultrafast and inphase manner. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new ultra-fast storage systems and information technologies.
Researchers from University of California San Diego School of Medicine and UCLA found that SARS-CoV-2 virus was unable to replicate in breast milk, making it unlikely a source of infection for infants. Breastfeeding remains recommended with proper hand hygiene and equipment sterilization.
This observational study found that states participating in Medicaid expansion had higher rates of using common outpatient surgical procedures, including cataract surgery and hernia repair. The study suggests that increased access to healthcare may lead to more medical interventions.
Sustainably managing the ocean could increase food production by an outsize proportion relative to land-based food, nourishing the growing human population. Researchers estimate a roughly 16% increase in wild-caught seafood by 2050 if fisheries are sustainably managed.
A new platform analyzing medical records of COVID-19 patients has provided intriguing clinical clues about the disease's presentation, evolution, and impact on different organ systems. The data from 96 hospitals in five countries has raised more questions than answers, but holds promise for rapid disease insights.
Researchers found that COVID-19 patients who experience cytokine storms have a disrupted immune response, leading to the formation of few germinal centers and thus preventing durable immunity. Although some neutralizing antibodies are produced, they lack long-term memory, allowing for repeated infections with the same virus.
A new study analyzed skin color, genetic ancestry, and social attainment of 259 Black residents across four US cities, revealing geographic variations in ancestry and social attainment. The findings show that men with darker skin were more likely to be married, while women with lighter skin had better social status.
A team of biologists has determined how limbs evolved from fins using embryos of the Australian lungfish. The study suggests that a primitive hand was present in lungfish fins but unique anatomy of limbs with digits only evolved during the rise of tetrapods through changes in embryonic development.
Researchers used cryo-electron microscopy to capture detailed conformational changes involving the β1-adrenergic receptor and its activation mechanism. The findings provide new details for improved therapeutic treatments for cardiac disease, a leading cause of death worldwide.
The study found that vulnerable populations, including Hispanic patients and those enrolled in Medicaid, were disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The data also showed high rates of disease-related complications and the need for post-discharge care to support patients' physical and emotional needs.
The UCI system uses lab-on-a-chip technology to detect COVID-19 antibodies in a low-cost, portable imaging platform. The device can process hundreds of antibody responses simultaneously, enabling accurate testing and potentially informing public health strategies.
A study found that electronic consultations between primary providers and radiologists improved patient care by reducing unnecessary imaging tests. The platform provided a secure method for PCPs to ask specialist questions, promoting collaboration and improving outcomes.
The study reveals how iron can be used to remove oxygen from plant materials without oxidizing, enabling more efficient and cost-effective fuel production. By anchoring iron with a carbon structure modified with nitrogen, the researchers created a catalyst that interacts less with oxygen, allowing for robust reaction performance.
Researchers successfully inhibited the P2X4 receptor, which plays a significant role in post-stroke damage and recovery. The study shows that short-term inhibition of this receptor can regulate immune cell activation and improve both acute and chronic stroke recovery.
A new study projects that India will experience a significant shortage of female births between 2017 and 2030, with an estimated 6.8 million fewer female births recorded due to sex-selective abortions. The country's regional diversity and cultural preferences for male babies have contributed to this imbalance.
Research suggests that providing a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant supplement to mothers with complicated pregnancies can prevent heart disease in their offspring. The study used sheep and found that MitoQ protects against fetal growth restriction and high blood pressure in adults.
A study found four distinct classes of drinkers, each with their own vocabulary and habits, providing insight into drinking habits and potentially informing intervention efforts. The results suggest that understanding how drunk someone feels may be a better predictor of risky behavior than objective measures.
Researchers study crust and upper mantle velocity structure in SE Tibet to understand geodynamic processes. The study reveals three major geodynamic modes: rigid block extrusion, plastic deformation, and asthenospheric upwelling.
Berkeley Lab researchers introduce isolated defects to a type of commercially available thin film, creating a top-performing energy storage material. The new material has more than twice the energy storage density of previously reported values and 50% higher efficiencies.
Scientists have identified three genes linked to high protein digestibility in sorghum, which could lead to breeding programs to enhance the crop's nutritional value. This breakthrough aims to improve the lives of people in third-world countries and US livestock producers by increasing the protein content of sorghum.
Researchers at University at Buffalo suggest that certain people tend to be more confident in their attitudes across various issues, while others are more uncertain. This dispositional attitude certainty is linked to traits like self-esteem and can predict behavior, including choices made on novel items.
Researchers create a classroom kit containing cell-free protein synthesis technology to teach transcription and translation in a hands-on manner. The Genetic Code Kit significantly improves student learning gains and increases comfort with biotechnology lab techniques, preparing students for graduate programs and careers.
A European research alliance studied 252 adults at risk of spinocerebellar ataxia, tracking the development of symptoms over several years. The study provides valuable data for prevention studies and highlights the need for additional biomarkers to detect ataxia early.
Researchers from Kazan Federal University have successfully sequenced the genome of Lactobacillus hilgardii LMG 7934, a type of bacteria that can be genetically reprogrammed to consume more nitrates. This allows for potential use in remediating environmental pollution and improving livestock feed.
Researchers have discovered a dense, cold gas ejected from the centre of the Milky Way, which could impact star formation and galaxy stability. The finding raises new questions about what's happening in the galactic centre, particularly with regards to the massive black hole at its heart.
Researchers discovered Shigella's molecular strategy to disarm host cell protective mechanisms, including apoptosis and necroptosis. By blocking apoptosis with OspD3 and activating necroptosis with OspC1, Shigella ensures its survival and proliferation.
A study by Kansas State University analyzed nearly 2 million congressional speeches and found that politicians use simpler language and express more positive or negative sentiments. The analysis also showed a decrease in reading level and vocabulary over time.
A novel acidic niche in lymph nodes regulates T cell activation, suppressing effector functions that could damage the system. The findings highlight the importance of localized acidosis in shaping T cell biology.
Researchers have discovered a global phenomenon where microbes thrive on air, expanding the possibilities for microbial life beyond Earth. This process, known as atmospheric chemosynthesis, was previously thought to be unique to Antarctica, but is now found in soils across the Arctic and Tibetan Plateau.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have developed a nanopore technique that can detect single-point mutations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) with high accuracy. The method uses statistical analysis to identify the position of genetic mutations, paving the way for earlier and safer tumor detection.
Researchers found that a key protein used by the varicella zoster virus to initiate infection does not operate as previously thought. The immune system can prevent infection by attacking a spot on the protein in an unexpected place, according to the study.
A recent survey of UK professionals found that COVID-19 has caused significant disruptions to psycho-social care for cancer patients, leading to delays in accessing support. The study highlights the need for innovative solutions to address the growing demand for psychological support during the pandemic.
Woss' doctoral thesis on spinning hadrons earned him the 2019 Jefferson Science Associates Thesis Prize. He used lattice QCD to calculate properties of unique particles that can decay into other hadrons with non-zero spin.
A study published in Neuron explains how the brain generates representations of unitary odor objects. The research team used a combination of brain imaging and models to discover clustered representations of mixtures and groups of odors that are conserved across individual flies.
A new study reveals that bats can host the Ebola virus without contracting the deadly disease, thanks to their unique cell structure. The research found that bat cells induce changes in the virus that make it less capable of harm, allowing it to coexist with its natural reservoir.
A study found that current USPSTF and CMS guidelines for lung cancer screening undercount African Americans due to their age, smoking history, and quitting time. The PLCOm2012 model improved sensitivity in both Whites and African American ever-smokers, eliminating the eligibility disparity.
A study simulated respiratory droplet spread during ophthalmologic slitlamp exams, establishing the risk of infectious disease contagion in this setting. The results highlight the importance of infection control measures in reducing transmission risk.
Researchers develop a ceramic mortar called grit-assisted patch (GAP) that can be used to fill in potholes without polluting the environment. GAP is made from wastewater treatment grit and has shown comparable compressive strength to traditional asphalt, making it a potentially superior alternative.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that the mass of microplastics in the upper waters of the Atlantic Ocean is approximately 12-21 million tonnes. This figure surpasses previous estimates and suggests a substantial underestimation of plastic waste entering the ocean over the past 65 years.
Astronomers using NSF's NOIRLab facilities and citizen science project Backyard Worlds have discovered approximately 100 cool brown dwarfs near the Sun, with several of these worlds approaching Earth's temperature. These discoveries provide new insights into the formation and atmospheres of planets beyond our Solar System.
Researchers investigated the association between race and death among COVID-19 hospitalized patients in 12 states. They found significant racial disparities, with Black patients having a higher risk of death compared to white patients.
The Penn State-led university research alliance aims to develop high-resolution radiation detectors capable of identifying dirty bombs or concealed radiation materials. The team plans to design low-cost, high-efficiency room-temperature detectors that would eliminate the need for extreme temperatures to control detecting materials.
Researchers developed a compact Trace Vapor Generator for Explosives and Narcotics, which can accurately generate trace vapors of low vapor pressure compounds. The device is portable and can be used for non-contact sampling, providing a stable vapor for several hours.
The study sheds light on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein's flexibility and its impact on viral infection. The research reveals that the stalk is extremely flexible, allowing it to move and search for receptors on host cells.
Researchers developed a comprehensive study on nanoprodrugs (NPDs) inside cancer cells, revealing their internalization rate, intracellular localization, and degradation. The study shows that NPDs consistently absorbed by cells as intact particles before being transported into lysosomes.
Researchers have discovered how insect wing-inspired nanomaterials kill bacteria on contact, with patterns that stretch, slice or tear cells apart. The findings hold promise for developing low-cost and scalable anti-bacterial surfaces for use in implants and hospitals to combat deadly superbugs.
A meta-analysis published in eLife reveals low HDL cholesterol is the most common lipid disorder in Latin America and the Caribbean. The study suggests that efforts to boost HDL cholesterol may provide the greatest heart health benefits to people living in these regions.
The VENUS system uses a pulsed magnetic field to stimulate small metal parts in landmines, detecting vibrations that distinguish them from other buried objects. This technology has the potential to upgrade conventional systems and reduce false alarm rates, benefiting humanitarian operations and road mobility.