A Dartmouth study found that government sources communicated at an average of three grades higher than the recommended reading level for clear communication. This complexity may worsen the impacts of the pandemic on vulnerable communities with lower health literacy.
A new study demonstrates how species cooperation influences vulnerability to climate change. Some species can maximize their fitness by working together in suboptimal environments, but this also makes them more susceptible to habitat destruction.
Researchers found equilibrium climate sensitivity likely between 1.9 and 3.4 °C based on latest climate models, contradicting high predictions of over 5°C warming. This range suggests goals of the Paris agreement may be achievable even with nations taking maximum efforts.
A Rutgers-Newark study discovered that lysozyme in the gut stimulates inflammation in some people with ulcerative colitis, leading to ulcers and sores in the large intestine. The study may help develop future treatments for inflammatory bowel disease by gaining insights into immune balance.
Researchers at the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) have developed a low-cost platform for producing enzymes that break down biomass into fermentable sugar for biofuel conversion. The enzyme cocktail, produced by genetically engineering a fungus, has significant potential industrial applications.
A study assessed the readability of COVID-19 information on government and international agency websites, finding significant disparities in clarity and complexity. The research highlights concerns about accessibility for diverse audiences, emphasizing the need for improved communication strategies.
A new study found that cold temperatures are responsible for 94% of temperature-related deaths, even though hypothermia affects only 27% of hospital visits. This highlights the need for improved awareness and education around cold injury risks, particularly among vulnerable populations.
A new study by Duke University researchers suggests that songbirds perform better during the day when they warm up their voices in the early morning hours. By singing early and often, birds improve their trill rate and vocal range, ultimately nailing their songs during the day.
A new study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging found that coronary calcium scores are a better predictor of future heart attacks than strokes, with similar findings across sex and racial groups. The amount of calcified plaque in the heart's arteries was twice as risky for heart attacks as it was for strokes.
A new study found significant variation in nurse staffing across US hospitals, particularly in New York City, where understaffing was associated with adverse consequences for nurses and patient care. The study's findings highlight the need for standardized nurse staffing standards to improve public health.
A Rutgers-led team discovered that coral sperm and eggs share similar gene functions during the planktonic stage, suggesting a crucial link to their reproductive success. The research, published in PeerJ, highlights the importance of understanding coral gametes' vulnerabilities to climate change.
Scientists from Okayama University have developed genetically engineered proteins that can be controlled by light, offering a promising new tool for studying neurons. The engineered proteins, based on natural light-regulated channels, can be activated or silenced using different light frequencies, providing finer control over neural ac...
A Rutgers University study found that relying on the internet for homework is hurting students' long-term retention and resulting in lower grades. Students who use their smartphones to find answers tend to forget the information and perform worse on exams.
Researchers investigated the impact of temperature on solar and wind energy production in Australia, finding small annual changes but significant effects during peak temperature days. The study aimed to inform electricity sector planning for reliability in different climate conditions.
Researchers have developed a novel approach to thermal management using bridging-droplet diodes, which can efficiently conduct heat in one direction. The device uses a wick structure to absorb heat and produces steam that condenses on the opposite side, allowing for improved heat conduction and reduced thermal resistance.
A new case series reports SARS-CoV-2 transmission on a commercial airline flight and among tourists, emphasizing the importance of preventive measures. The study provides valuable insights into the transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2, highlighting risk factors and control strategies to mitigate future outbreaks.
A Concordia student has created detailed range maps for over 400 primate species, showing how warming temperatures are losing their habitats. The study reveals that a 2°C temperature increase could lead to over a quarter of species experiencing temperatures above pre-industrial levels.
Researchers found that if 40% of landowners provide space for wild bee habitat, they lose $1M but generate nearly $2.5M for their neighbors. Collaboration among neighboring farmers could lead to increased benefits.
Researchers at Marshall University found that green apple vape flavor enhances nicotine reward by promoting high-sensitivity nAChRs. This could lead to heightened drug-seeking behavior and addiction risk, particularly among adolescents.
Researchers found that genes associated with SARS-CoV-2 entry become more active with age, making heart cells vulnerable to damage. The study suggests that existing medicines can inhibit some of these proteins, and new treatments may be developed to protect the heart.
Flushing public restrooms can spread virus-laden particles, including COVID-19. Researchers found that urinal flushing releases more than 57% of particles into the air, with some reaching thighs within 5.5 seconds.
A high fructose diet in pregnant women can alter the metabolism of their offspring, researchers found. The study, published in Frontiers in Endocrinology, showed that fructose intake before and during pregnancy led to significant changes in maternal metabolic function and milk composition.
A city-wide school influenza vaccine intervention was associated with a decrease in influenza-associated hospitalizations and school absences. The study found that SLIV programs increased vaccination coverage and reduced influenza across communities.
Researchers developed a new instrument to measure tiny light-evoked deformations in individual rods and cones, offering potential for earlier detection of retinal diseases. The system combines high-speed OCT imaging with adaptive optics technology to capture photoreceptor responses, paving the way for improved diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers found that mother bats adjust their vocalizations to provide positive feedback to their pups during vocal practice, while male bats transmit the social group's vocal signature. This complex parent-offspring communication may be a key feature of bat language development.
Researchers found extremely high levels of ACE2 in the olfactory epithelium, a region responsible for detecting smells. This area is thought to be where COVID-19 gains entry into the body, explaining why some patients lose their sense of smell without other symptoms.
A machine learning model has uncovered distinct statistical features marking the formative stage of slow-slip ruptures, allowing geophysicists to understand the timing of devastating faster quakes. The research suggests that slow-slip rupture may be predictable, providing an easier way to study fundamental physics.
A recent study challenges the notion that birds evolved rapidly following the mass extinction of non-avian dinosaurs. Instead, researchers found that bird skull evolution actually slowed down compared to non-avian dinosaurs. This slower pace of evolution is attributed to adaptations in beak shape and size.
A Baylor University study found that people experiencing threats to their existence are more likely to experience miracles. The study analyzed data from a Pew Research Center survey of 15,400 respondents from 16 countries and found no relationship between education level and the likelihood of experiencing a miracle.
A new study found that Covid-19 patients experience a more profound loss of smell and taste compared to those with a bad cold or flu. This is because Covid-19 affects the central nervous system, whereas other respiratory infections tend to affect the upper respiratory tract.
A 12-week study by Oregon State University researchers found that taking a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement with zinc and high amounts of vitamin C reduced the severity and duration of illness symptoms in older adults. The supplement improved vitamin C and zinc levels in the blood, which are important for immune function.
Army researchers have developed a new material that can autonomously heal in air and underwater, enabling massive reconfigurability in future military platforms. The material has a dynamic bond that allows it to be 3-D printed and recycled, and introduces unique shape memory behavior.
A National Institutes of Health study has found that women trying to conceive who use opioids are more likely to experience lower chances of achieving pregnancy and an increased risk of miscarriage during early pregnancy. Opioid use was associated with a 29% lower chance of becoming pregnant within a given monthly cycle.
Researchers developed a new imaging modality for in-development retinal organoids using D-FFOCT, which offers high spatial and temporal resolutions. The technique allows for the creation of highly contrasted images of almost transparent samples without labels, enabling long-term study of sample development.
A new study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that smartphones can detect changes in gait patterns associated with alcohol intoxication. The research suggests that real-time information about alcohol consumption could be used to reduce harm, prevent drinking and driving, or alert a sponsor for someone in tr...
Research finds that bacteria in unicellular organisms become more infectious when they must switch host cells, thanks to changes in gene expression. This adaptation allows them to survive outside the host cell and maintain infectivity.
David Wetz at UTA is working with the Navy to study dielectric insulation properties of epoxy and additively manufactured materials. The goal is to improve their insulation properties in compact high-voltage systems, potentially reducing overall system size and weight.
Researchers have identified a new enzymatic reaction involving carbohydrates in plant cell walls, which is essential for their structure and function. This discovery contributes to our understanding of how plant cell walls can be formed, structured, and re-modelled.
A team of Russian researchers has developed a new design for the membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) in vanadium redox flow batteries, reducing experimental costs and increasing power. The new design simplifies the laboratory testing process, making it more accessible to new research groups.
Researchers successfully synthesized a pristine diamane film using high-pressure compression, demonstrating its semiconducting properties and potential applications in electronic devices. The film has an energy gap of 2.8 eV, which is higher than that of gapless graphene.
Researchers discovered that a rare COVID-19 related illness in children, known as PIMS-TS, causes severe inflammation and alters the immune system. The study found increased levels of cytokines and reduced white blood cells in affected children, but these changes gradually returned to normal after recovery.
A new tool, FairCo, was developed to improve the fairness of online rankings by giving equally relevant choices roughly equal exposure and avoiding preferential treatment for high-ranked items. This can correct unfairness in existing algorithms and curtail personal choice.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center developed a gene editing approach to remove latent herpes simplex virus 1, achieving a 92% reduction in the virus's presence. The method targets infected cells and nerve pathways, showing promise for a potential cure for the infection.
A team of scientists used THz pulses to study the intermolecular motion of liquid water, revealing a hydrogen bond harmonic oscillator model and polarizability anisotropy on sub-picosecond scales. The results provide insights into the transient structure of liquid water and its interaction with solvent molecules.
A study published by University of Huddersfield researchers found that dexamethasone significantly reduced COVID-19 patient deaths by 41% compared to those without corticosteroids. The research highlights the importance of evidence-based practice and the need for further investment in scientific research.
A new scientific method has been approved for measuring flavanols and procyanidins in cocoa powders, cocoa liquors, chocolates, and cocoa extracts. The method, developed by Mars Edge, employs hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography and enables consistent product labeling.
A nationwide study on COVID-19 and infant feeding is exploring whether breast milk can protect babies from the virus. Researchers will collect biological samples, interview participants, and compare outcomes between breastfed and non-breastfed babies to inform policy recommendations.
Research from the University of California, Davis and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai found that airborne dust can carry influenza virus capable of infecting animals, contrary to the long-held assumption that respiratory droplets are the primary means of transmission.
A new study found that vitamin D supplementation is associated with a decrease in Megamonas bacteria and C. difficile colonization in infants, suggesting potential benefits for childhood health.
A new study reveals that differentiation of a single gene changes behavior in a wild songbird, determining whether the bird displays more or less aggression. The research identifies a specific estrogen receptor as driving this behavior, showing how genomic divergence can lead to behavioral divergence in a vertebrate.
A Singapore breast surgical unit developed strategies to balance COVID-19 battle with breast cancer care, emphasizing multidisciplinary teamwork and patient stratification. Prompt adaptation to restricted resources and balancing risks are crucial in providing optimal patient care.
A critical EPA insecticide study on chlorpyrifos was found to have been based on incomplete data, leading to an incorrect safe exposure limit. Researchers argue that this oversight had significant public health implications and potentially allowed approvals for unsafe uses of the chemical.
Researchers at Purdue University are developing a new 3D-printed runway mat using Phase Transforming Cellular Material (PXCM) geometry. The technology aims to create a robust and self-healing mat that can withstand stresses of repeated aircraft take-offs and landings, reducing the need for frequent repairs.
Infants as young as 12 months old encode and remember objects differently depending on whether an object is named as a member of a category or as a unique individual. Research found that applying distinct names to each object enhances infants' encoding of distinctions among the individual objects, leading to better recognition memory.
Researchers at Penn State expand gene-editing technology for use in vertebrates like mice, fish, and birds with new funding. The ReMOT Control tool builds on CRISPR/Cas9, enabling efficient delivery of gene-editing cargo to targeted regions of DNA.
Biomedical scientists have discovered that diethylcarbamazine directly targets parasitic worms with a temporary paralysis, allowing the host's body to flush out the parasites. This breakthrough could lead to better predictability of resistance development and more effective treatment outcomes for patients.
A study published in the Journal of Dairy Science found that sensory characteristics, such as flavor and heat treatment, and habit are key drivers for long-term milk consumption among children. Increasing milk availability in schools and making it more appealing to children can encourage healthy lifelong consumption.
A group of physicists has proposed a 'table-top' device that could measure gravity waves and determine if gravity is a quantum phenomenon. The device uses a tiny diamond in quantum superposition to detect gravitational waves and create an interference pattern.
Researchers found that Hawaiian tiger cowries are voracious predators of alien sponges, eating half their body weight weekly. The study suggests that cowries could help control invasive species, saving the state time and money.
Researchers report that traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, as well as chronic pain. Studies highlight the importance of addressing dysfunctional coping mechanisms and supporting patients' social connections to improve outcomes.