Andean condors flap their wings for only 1.3% of the total recorded flight time, with most time spent gliding and soaring. Flapping is most frequent during takeoffs and in early morning, when thermal updrafts form.
Researchers found that arsenic trioxide can restore the body's natural antiviral factories to fight adenovirus infections. The medication has been approved for leukemia treatment and shows promise in inhibiting adenovirus replication without developing resistance.
A large-scale survey found that meditation was associated with reduced rates of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and coronary artery disease. The study controlled for other factors connected to cardiovascular risk and still showed a significant effect of meditation on cardiovascular health.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed an alternative energy source for muscle protein myosin, enabling controlled muscle activity and potentially treating conditions like cerebral palsy and chronic heart failure. The new energy source, Azobenzene triphosphate, has been shown to modulate myosin function and generate force and velo...
This observational study found significant differences in health outcomes between high- and low-income middle-aged adults in the US and England. The results highlight persistent socioeconomic disparities in health, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address these gaps.
A new analysis reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in nearly 1.22 million Americans losing a close relation, with young people and Black Americans disproportionately affected. The study found that each death corresponds to approximately 9 bereaved individuals, highlighting the far-reaching impact of the crisis on families.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison created a highly efficient and long-lasting solar flow battery, achieving a record efficiency of 20%. The device combines silicon solar cells with advanced materials integrated with optimally designed chemical components.
Life expectancy in the US varies significantly across census tracts, with socioeconomic and demographic factors playing a major role. The study identified strong associations between age, income, and race/ethnicity with life expectancy at local levels.
Researchers at Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg have successfully determined the structure of ferritin using an affordable electron cryo-microscope, achieving resolutions comparable to expensive equipment. This method enables collaboration on structural analysis of samples with medical and biotechnological potential.
Scientists have discovered three ways that deltas can respond to sea level rise, depending on the balance between sediment supply and rate of sea-level change. This understanding has significant implications for climate change and human interference, with potential impacts on river ecosystems and societal stability.
A novel study by Keck Medicine of USC researchers reveals a potential new opioid medication that can slow the progression of osteoarthritis while easing pain. The medication, which activates the kappa opioid receptor, has been shown to preserve cartilage in joints and alleviate pain with reduced risk of addiction.
A Rutgers University study found that military personnel at risk of suicide are more likely to store firearms in unlocked cabinets, increasing access to them. The researchers emphasize the importance of safe firearm storage as a suicide prevention strategy.
A portable testing lab that fits into a suitcase has been developed by Newcastle University experts to detect waterborne hazards. The lab enables quick and affordable screening of millions of bacteria in a single water sample, providing critical data for public health officials to identify and deal with local hazards.
A University of Illinois study using neonatal pigs found that pectin at 0.2% in milk replacer was safe for infants, a breakthrough made possible by public-private partnerships. The research highlights the benefits of collaborations between universities and industry, enabling faster innovation and high-quality science.
Researchers found that biliverdin-binding serpins (BBSs) are responsible for the blue-green coloration of frogs, which helps with camouflage. BBSs alter the spectral absorbance of biliverdin and fine-tune the frog's reflectance spectra.
Research published in the journal Heart found that adults who experienced childhood maltreatment are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, with women being particularly vulnerable. The study analyzed data from 157,311 participants and found associations between all types of maltreatment and increased risk of CVD in both sexes.
A study of 90 participants found that watching a magician perform a card trick resulted in unconscious decisions influenced by verbal and nonverbal primes. The results suggest that embedding priming within speech and gestures can shape decision-making processes.
Researchers argue that one-sided narratives shape the dichotomy between state-led and market-led approaches to promote agricultural development. A combination of state-led initiatives, donor-funded or market-led approaches, and input subsidy programs can work if there is evidence-based policy learning between both camps.
Emergency room visits for domestic violence incidents in California more than tripled during the Great Recession, signaling a need to prepare for similar effects during COVID-19. Black and Native American people were disproportionately affected, with hospitalization rates nearly doubling for Native Americans.
Hundreds of frog species have a green coloration due to a biochemical workaround that combines a virus-fighting protein with a toxic bile pigment, not relying on traditional skin chromatophores. This adaptation ensures good camouflage in leafy environments and has evolved over 40 times across different families of treefrogs.
A new study reveals how climate change has enabled Sesarma reticulatum to thrive in southern salt marshes, dramatically altering ecosystem dynamics and clearing grasses that hold the marshes together. This has led to increased rates of creek formation and changes in interactions between predators and prey species.
A Northwestern University study found that COVID-19 patients are 12 times more likely to die in a medical facility than patients who died from any cause in 2018. The high rate of deaths in hospitals and nursing homes highlights the need for improved end-of-life care, including access to virtual communication with families.
A multidisciplinary team from Columbia Engineering and Vanderbilt University has successfully recovered severely injured donor lungs using a cross-circulation platform. This method provides intrinsic biological repair mechanisms over long periods, enabling the recovery of lungs that cannot be saved by standard clinical EVLP.
Consumer-created social media visuals are reflective of consumer brand perceptions, according to researchers who developed a new model called BrandImageNet. This model maps images to perceptual attributes of a brand, allowing firms to automatically monitor consumers' brand perceptions and evaluate their positioning strategies.
A recent article in Nature Reviews Microbiology calls for more research into bats' molecular biology and ecology to predict and prevent the next pandemic. Bats carry a vast number of viruses, with evidence linking different species to human outbreaks of SARS, MERS, Ebola, and other diseases.
Experts argue that New Zealand's proposed cannabis legislation lacks clear criteria for minimum price and potency levels, posing challenges in reducing cannabis use over time and taxing products by THC potency. The bill needs strengthening to address these gaps and ensure a comprehensive regulatory framework.
A new fragment library, F2X-Universal, has been designed and validated by the HZB team. The library consists of 1,103 compounds, which were successfully tested against endothiapepsin and Aar2/RnaseH protein complex targets.
A new study published in Nature Medicine found that breast cancer patients who experience a heart attack have a higher risk of cancer recurrence, spread, and death. The research suggests that heart attacks can trigger an immune reaction that makes it easier for cancer cells to grow.
A virtual reality simulator will be developed to improve hiatal hernia surgery training, reducing surgical errors and improving outcomes. The study aims to utilize the simulator to hone skills in a standardized environment.
Researchers found that people tend to become more optimistic as they age, with a significant increase during young adulthood. Despite major life events, such as divorce or illness, people generally remain positive about their future, finding ways to maintain emotional balance and focus on happiness.
Researchers have developed a new analytical approach called single-cell higher-order testing (scHOT) that enables the study of broad changes in gene behavior within human tissue. The method has been successfully tested on mice and identified novel pairs of genes that co-vary in expression, providing insights into neurodevelopmental dis...
A multicenter trial found that PSMA PET/CT identified disease in over half of patients with negative conventional imaging, leading to changes in management in 66% of cases. The most common changes were conversion to surgery or radiation, or addition of nodal-directed therapy.
A new study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology documents a clear link between stress hormone cortisol and higher blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The research suggests that sustained cortisol levels make it difficult to control blood sugar and manage the disease.
A study using isotopic analysis reveals that ancient cats in Central Europe had a synanthropic diet, suggesting close human-cat relations. The findings indicate that cats first migrated to the region from the Near East around 4,200-2,300 BC.
The new LRC approach enables the investigation of superheavy elements with extreme sensitivity, even at low production quantities. By combining laser spectroscopy and ion mobility spectrometry, researchers can unveil element-specific emission spectra, providing valuable insights into the electronic structure of these exotic atoms.
A recent study reveals that the Carnian Pluvial Episode, a period of intense warming and humidity, occurred globally, particularly in South America. The research suggests that this global climate event may have spurred the emergence of early dinosaurs.
A new study reveals that crop plants can absorb microplastics, contaminating edible plants and potentially entering the food chain. The research found that particles as small as 2 micrometers in size can be taken up by plant roots, raising concerns about human health and agricultural sustainability.
Researchers found that Cyclocarya paliurus polysaccharide modulates the gut microbiota and improves metabolic pathways, leading to a reduction in serum glucose levels and alleviating type 2 diabetes symptoms. The study provides new insights into the use of dietary polysaccharides for preventing or intervening in T2DM.
A team of scientists has confirmed that liquids show elasticity and rigidity like solids at the microscopic scale, contrary to long-held assumptions. The study's findings have significant implications for nanodevices, nanostructures, and metamaterials.
Researchers from ITMO University have improved the technique for processing composites based on nanoporous glass with silver and copper, allowing for precise prediction of optical properties. The suggested method enables the creation of unique optical plasmonic components at a lower cost and with increased ease.
The University of Kansas will develop and deliver new generation of testing technology with a $29.9 million contract. The partnership aims to improve teaching and assess student learning for all students, including those with disabilities.
Researchers propose setting fishing targets above minimum catch levels to regulate harvests, allowing fish populations to recover. A 'blue belt' of Marine Protected Areas can further safeguard sustainability and profitability in the post-Brexit era.
Stephen L. Bacharach, PhD, is recognized for his contributions to gated cardiac blood pool imaging, informatics, and data processing. His research has had a significant impact on nuclear medicine and cardiology.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have identified a common molecular feature in human antibodies that neutralize SARS-CoV-2, which could lead to the development of effective vaccines. The study found that boosting levels of these potent antibodies, encoded by the IGHV3-53 gene, may provide adequate protection against COVID-19.
The Vav3 protein creates bacterial docking stations on airways' surface, facilitating recurrent infections in cystic fibrosis. Inhibiting this protein may prevent respiratory complications by limiting bacterial adhesion.
Researchers developed a new aluminum panel that concentrates solar energy to evaporate and purify contaminated water, reducing contaminants to safe levels for drinking. The technology uses a burst of laser pulses to etch the surface of aluminum, creating a super-wicking and light-absorbing surface that can efficiently purify water.
Researchers at The Rosalind Franklin Institute have engineered llama antibodies that can bind to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, blocking its entry into human cells. These nanobodies show promise as a potential treatment for patients with severe COVID-19.
A new AI-powered holographic imaging system detects bacteria growth in water samples with high sensitivity and speed, saving over 12 hours compared to traditional methods. The platform can classify three types of bacteria, including E. coli, within 9 hours.
The program results in continued improvements in lot condition and care over a 5-year period, with residents gaining a stronger sense of place and belonging. The study develops a practical monitoring tool to assess the progress of vacant lot repurposing programs.
A new UCL-led study reveals that people in their 40s and 50s are likely to suffer more years of ill health than older generations. The study found a greater prevalence of ill health among those born later, with conditions such as diabetes and obesity affecting people earlier.
Research found patients significantly overestimating CPR success and understating its negative impact. Clinicians should discuss CPR with patients to clarify success rates and risks before consent is given. The study highlighted the importance of informed decision-making in end-of-life care.
Researchers identified an enhanced immune response to the H5N1 influenza virus in a two-dose vaccination trial. The findings suggest that this approach could lead to the development of a universal flu vaccine targeting multiple strains.
Researchers at MDC developed Janggu, a universal programming tool converting genomics data into a format compatible with deep learning models. This allows for flexible and efficient analysis of large datasets, enabling the investigation of various biological questions.
A new study from the University of Georgia finds that bariatric weight loss surgery is more expensive for public insurance patients compared to private insurance. The study analyzed a national dataset and found that Medicare patients paid the highest average cost per surgery, while publicly insured patients paid more overall.
The Flint water crisis resulted from simultaneous failures of federal drinking water standards and Michigan's emergency manager law, which exacerbated local financial challenges. The crisis offers lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic on building healthy communities through investments in modern infrastructure.
Researchers have designed a solar flow battery that combines energy conversion and storage in one unit, potentially expediting electrification in remote locations. The technology integrates photoelectrochemical solar cells with aqueous organic redox flow batteries to produce high voltage and stable cycling.
A new study reveals that middle-aged Americans have worse health than their English counterparts, particularly among the poor. The difference in health between rich and poor is much larger in the US, with even top-income earners showing higher rates of diabetes and mental health conditions.
A recent study by San Francisco State University found a correlation between adolescents who reported high conflict at home and those who later identified socially undesirable traits as ideal leadership qualities. Researchers discovered that individuals who experienced high conflict in their childhood were more likely to prefer tyranni...
Columbia engineers use sophisticated microscopy techniques to directly image localized states in 2D material, yielding single-photon emitters that can be tuned and controlled. This breakthrough enables the creation of quantum optical circuitry for future photonic applications.
Researchers used a new technique to study oxytocin receptor expression in developing mouse brains, revealing key neural connections form during early development. The study found that oxytocin receptor expression peaks at 21 days after birth and plays a role in wiring the brain.