Post-neoadjuvant therapy changes in metabolic metrics from PET/MRI and morphologic metrics from CT were associated with pathologic response and overall survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Serum CA 19-9 levels did not predict pathologic response or survival.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a soft robotic material that can walk at human speed, pick up cargo, and transport it to a new location. The material is activated by light and responds to external magnetic fields, making it ideal for use in aquatic environments.
A study of 193 NYC hospital patients found that 71.6% of Black patients required hospitalization for COVID-19, compared to 46.0% of non-Blacks. Disparities were driven by a higher prevalence of comorbidities among Black patients, not cancer or treatment.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science developed a strategy to identify criminals from a single strand of hair, leveraging the composition of hair dye products. They employed surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis to distinguish between different dyes applied to individual strands of hog hair.
The global burden of cardiovascular disease is steadily rising, with nearly doubled cases from 271 million in 1990 to 523 million in 2019. The majority of CVD deaths globally were ischemic heart disease and stroke, increasing steadily over the past three decades.
A new study from Rice University reveals that religious discrimination is prevalent among Jews and Muslims, with over two-thirds of Muslim respondents reporting hostile interactions. The study found that both groups are more likely to experience harassment, threats, and violence due to their religious beliefs.
The discovery of feather sheaths on the Archaeopteryx fossil provides evidence of a sequential centre-out moulting strategy, used by modern falcons to preserve maximum flight performance. This finding sheds light on the evolution of flight in birds and suggests that this strategy was present at the earliest origins of flight.
Researchers Barbara Mazzolai and Andrea Toma at IIT have been awarded ERC grants for their projects on intelligent plant robots and new photosynthesis technologies. The projects aim to create collective behavior in plants and develop nanotechnology devices for storing solar energy in hydrogen.
Researchers at UVA School of Engineering have challenged the traditional heat transfer paradigm in semiconductor design. They discovered a new mechanism called ballistic thermal injection that allows for independent optimization of optical, electrical, and thermal behavior without impacting device performance.
A new study reveals that children and adolescents diagnosed with depression are at a higher risk of developing physical health problems and experiencing premature death. The research, published in JAMA Psychiatry, highlights the importance of addressing mental health concerns early on to prevent long-term consequences.
Researchers at JILA create a dense gas of ultracold potassium-rubidium molecules, gaining control over long-distance molecular interactions. The new scheme enables exploration of exotic quantum states in which all molecules interact with each other.
Scientists at the University of Tsukuba investigated perovskite solar cell deterioration using electron spin resonance spectroscopy. They discovered that changes in spin states are linked to changes in hole transport and interfacial electric dipole layer formation, suggesting potential ways to prevent degradation.
A study found that urban tree canopy cover and reduced light pollution during migration seasons contribute to higher species richness. Conversely, higher levels of artificial light at night were associated with lower species counts, particularly during winter and summer.
The study highlights a need for standardized terminology to distinguish between medicine misuse, abuse, and medication errors. A clear taxonomy is required to accurately identify situations involving medicine misuse, ensuring better public health outcomes.
A new study published in Nature suggests that differentiated CO2 prices combined with moderate financial transfers between advanced and developing countries can efficiently achieve fair burden sharing while keeping overall costs in check. This approach mediates the trade-off between national sovereignty and economic efficiency.
A new genus and species of ichthyosaur, Thalassodraco etchesi, has been discovered in the UK, measuring 2m in length and dating back to the Late Jurassic period. The specimen was found buried head-first in limestone, preserving its soft tissues and providing valuable insights into the biology of these marine reptiles.
Scientists highlight cassava as an overlooked solution to tackle environmental concerns. Cassava can revive degraded land, lower greenhouse gas emissions and promote peace in conflict-prone areas.
A team led by FSU researcher Kourosh Shoele is working to improve face mask design using flow physics, mechanics, and facial topology data. They hope to develop computational tools that standardize guidelines for face mask design, enabling more effective masks for a broader range of users.
Researchers found that listeners in Gainesville perceived increased accentedness with a South Asian face, whereas Montreal listeners did not exhibit the same effect. Exposure to linguistic diversity may impact accentedness judgments.
A University of Missouri researcher studied an island fox and its mainland relative to understand human evolution. The study found that the island fox's smaller body size was likely due to adapting to its new environment, not a disease.
A recent study by UFZ researchers highlights the importance of both crop diversity and temporal production patterns in ensuring food security. The analysis reveals that countries with high production stability and asynchrony, such as India and China, are better equipped to mitigate the impact of global market uncertainties.
A preclinical study by University at Buffalo researchers has identified new genes that could be key therapeutic targets for treating Alzheimer's disease. The study found that inhibiting certain enzymes involved in abnormal gene transcription can reverse memory deficits associated with the disease.
A new consortium will investigate the physical principles underlying coronavirus formation, using a multidisciplinary approach across multiple scales and environments. The research aims to develop drugs that can disrupt viral assembly, with potential applications in synthetic biology and medicine.
A novel method detects conformational changes in TDP-43 protein in ALS patients' CSF, showing high sensitivity and specificity. The technology has potential for diagnosing and developing clinical therapies for this fatal neurodegenerative disease.
A recent study found that a new program for African American couples can lead to stronger relationships and improved health outcomes. The program, Protecting Strong African American Families (ProSAAF), uses a cognitive behavioral approach to improve couple interaction patterns and ways of thinking.
Researchers have discovered a way to control the conduction type of tin monoselenide (SnSe) by doping with antimony, leading to improved thermoelectric performance. The findings offer a potential solution to harness waste heat and reduce global warming.
Researchers discovered that E. coli's heat-labile toxin changes gene expression in human intestinal cells, inducing them to manufacture a protein used by the bacterium to attach to the intestinal wall. This attachment allows the bacterium to benefit itself at the detriment of the host.
Researchers discovered honey bees collecting and applying animal dung around nest entrances to prevent giant hornet attacks, leading to reduced landing times and chewing behavior. This unique defense mechanism is the first documented case of honey bee tool use.
Researchers at UTHealth analyzed data from over 18,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests to identify disparities in automated external defibrillator use. Hispanic/Latino and black neighborhoods showed significantly lower rates of AED use compared to non-Hispanic/Latino white communities.
Researchers found that sea urchins are more affected by low oxygen levels than ocean acidification when exposed to high temperatures. The study revealed that severe heat, hypoxia, and acidity do not have a synergistic effect on the urchins' performance.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that maternal asthma medication is associated with an increased risk of premature births and small birth weights. The study analyzed data from over 117,000 births in Wales and found that prescriptions for asthma medicines were linked to lower birth weights and higher rates of preterm birth.
Researchers capture roaming molecular fragments in real-time using advanced laser technology, shedding light on the dynamics of chemical reactions. The study provides insight into how to measure elusive processes and has implications for environmental and atmospheric chemistry.
Researchers from the US Department of Energy's three applied energy laboratories have developed a new framework for engineering-based modeling and analysis to support complex optimization of hybrid energy systems. These systems can leverage multiple energy sources to maximize value and deliver lower-emission energy to industry.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research use electric rays and sting rays to create maps of the seabed, collecting data on ocean wildlife and resources. The method is cost-effective and has been shown to be accurate, with positioning errors within 10cm of existing seabed maps.
A phase 3 clinical trial involving 37 patients showed sustainable improvements in vision after 96 weeks, suggesting the gene therapy could be a safe and effective treatment for Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. The treatment unexpectedly seemed to work in both eyes, with DNA from the vectors found in both treated and untreated eyes.
Researchers found that surgical and N95 masks can minimize negative effects on speech intelligibility, making them ideal options for instructors. By wearing these types of masks, educators can help students understand speech more effectively while ensuring their own safety.
A recent study found that formulating New Year's resolutions as 'approach goals' (adopting new habits) leads to higher success rates than 'avoidance goals' (quitting or avoiding something). Rephrasing resolutions can also boost success, especially when replacing unhealthy habits with healthier ones.
New lipid residue analyses reveal a dominance of animal products in ancient ceramic vessels from rural and urban settlements of the Indus Civilisation. The study identifies a predominance of non-ruminant animal fats, contradicting previous assumptions about the region's diet.
Researchers found that brains work harder to process motion descriptions in unfamiliar languages, a phenomenon known as the P600 effect. This study, published in Neuropsychologia, suggests that language influences how our brains perceive and interpret physical movement.
Extended follow-up data from the monarchE trial shows that abemaciclib continues to improve IDFS among high-risk, node-positive, early-stage, HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer patients. The addition of abemaciclib to standard adjuvant endocrine therapy reduces the risk of invasive disease by 25 percent.
A £992,000 grant will support a collaboration between the Universities of Portsmouth and Southampton to use tadpoles to discover genetic changes causing rare diseases. The study aims to provide targeted interventions for patients and their families, improving care and outcomes.
The University of Huddersfield's Antimicrobial Stewardship in Wound Management course has been honoured at the Antibiotic Guardian Awards. Over 8000 healthcare professionals have completed the course with high praise, exploring antimicrobial resistance and implementing infection control measures.
A study found that warmer springs in southern Illinois allow prothonotary warblers to start laying eggs earlier, increasing the chances of raising two broods of offspring. This adaptability may provide a reproductive advantage for the birds, but could be threatened by continued climate change.
Researchers discover lagerpetids, small wingless reptiles, as the closest relatives of pterosaurs, filling a 200-year-old gap in their evolution. The study reveals similarities between lagerpetid brains and sensory systems and those of pterosaurs.
Research from Wellesley College professor Heather Mattila shows that honey bees use animal dung to prevent giant hornet attacks on colonies. The bees apply spots of dung around nest entrances, repelling the hornets and limiting their ability to mount deadly group attacks.
A new poliovirus vaccine has been developed to combat a mutated strain linked to outbreaks in Africa and Asia. The vaccine, known as nOPV2, has shown similar immune responses and improved genetic stability compared to the licensed Sabin oral vaccine.
Exposure to glyphosate creates biomarkers predicting prostate and kidney diseases, obesity, and multiple diseases in subsequent generations. In a study of 50 rats each, 90% of third- and fourth-generation rats developed health problems by middle age.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis in remission display significantly higher temperatures in the forefoot regions compared to healthy adults. The research used thermal imaging to analyze temperature patterns in over 31 patients and more than 52 healthy individuals.
A clinical trial found that combining Verinurad and Febuxostat reduces albuminuria in Type 2 diabetes patients by 39.4%, a significant reduction in protein leakage through the kidney. The treatment combination also lowers uric acid levels by 57%.
The new guidelines provide uniform standards for treating brain tumour complications such as epileptic attacks, brain edema, haemorrhage, or thrombosis worldwide. The initiative aims to increase patient safety and improve treatment outcomes.
The study reveals a tight arrangement between root diffusion barriers and the microbiome, regulating mineral nutrient balance and influencing plant performance. This coordination may contribute to the development of plants better adapted to extreme environmental conditions.
A well-preserved specimen of a new ichthyosaur species, Thalassodraco etchesi, has been identified from the Late Jurassic period in England. The creature may have been capable of diving very deeply due to its deep rib cage and large eyes.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that loss of smell and taste in COVID-19 patients often occur before other symptoms like fever or shortness of breath. Researchers also discovered a link between impaired sense of smell and lower levels of white blood cells, including neutrophils.
A large study of over 2,300 patients found that paclitaxel-coated balloons and stents do not increase mortality rates compared to conventional devices. The results resolve a long-standing debate on the safety of these treatments for peripheral arterial disease.
The FAPESP COVID-19 Research Webinars will address manufacturing and distribution logistics of the COVID-19 vaccine portfolio. The event features expert speakers from leading institutions, including Tiago Rocca, Margareth Dalcolmo, and Prashant Yadav.
A survey of physicians revealed a significant association between burnout and suicidal thoughts, as well as self-reported medical errors. The study controlled for depression and found that burnout was independently linked to these outcomes.
A new study tests machine learning on detecting borrowed words in world languages, showing some promise in specific situations, such as high loanword proportions or single donor languages. However, the results are unsatisfying, highlighting the difficulty of identifying borrowings with mono-lingual information alone.
The SABATLE project examines the safety risks of redox flow technologies for humans and the environment, and aims to identify risk factors and improve battery design using the Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design concept. Researchers will also investigate the toxicological effects of these technologies.
Scientists have developed advanced imaging techniques to observe pancreatic beta cells packaging insulin and responding to drug treatments. The new methods provide a more complete picture of the cell's functions and components, shedding light on the mechanisms responsible for preventing diabetes.
A study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine reveals that inhibiting protein OCA-B protects mice from type 1 diabetes by limiting immune cell activity. The finding provides a proof-of-principle for OCA-B as a therapeutic target and could lead to further development of treatments.