Researchers have discovered that physical forces, such as centrifugal force, play a crucial role in enhancing cell-to-cell attachment and increasing tissue stiffness during embryonic development. The study reveals that the FGF receptor/Erk2 signaling pathway is essential for this process.
SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 18, 2020
Scientists track unprecedented rate of Greenland's ice melting and continued Antarctic loss in a new study. The research used data from NASA's GRACE Follow-On satellites to monitor changes in Earth's gravity and water reserves, revealing striking results.
SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMar 18, 2020
The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine has presented the Takeda/ACMG Foundation Next Generation Fellowship Awards to Dr. Aixa M. Gonzalez Garcia and Dr. Chen-Han Wilfred Wu. The awards provide funding for medical biochemical genetics subspecialty fellowship and clinical laboratory biochemical genetics training, respectively.
SourceAmerican College of Medical Genetics and Genomics·DateMar 18, 2020
Researchers discovered an insect-specific metal-sensing receptor in the gut lining that plays a crucial role in regulating nutrient uptake and development. Inhibiting this receptor, called Hodor, was fatal in mosquitoes, making it a promising target for controlling mosquito populations and preventing disease transmission.
SourceMedical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Medical Sciences·JournalNature·DateMar 18, 2020
Researchers discovered four new beetle species in 99 million-year-old amber fossils from Myanmar, which helped flowering plants spread and benefited the beetles. The beetles' adaptability allowed them to form a mutually beneficial symbiosis with the emerging angiosperms.
Researchers from ITMO University have predicted a novel type of topological quantum state in two-photon systems. A new experimental method using classical electric circuits has been developed to test these predictions, offering valuable information for the engineering of optical chips and quantum computers.
SourceITMO University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 18, 2020
Researchers at Linköping University discover that bacteria, not human cells, are responsible for the detection of epigenetic mark 6mdA. The team finds multiple methods used to detect 6mdA produce false positive results due to bacterial contamination and technical issues.
SourceLinköping University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 18, 2020
Researchers found that large predators generally suppress smaller predators, providing more food in the form of leftover prey. However, the scavenging process can also be deadly for smaller carnivores, as they may be killed by their larger kin when returning to the kill site.
SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalEcology Letters·DateMar 18, 2020
A nationwide study found that bariatric surgery significantly reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes among obese patients. The surgery was associated with a 60% lower rate of fatal and non-fatal heart attacks and stroke, as well as significant weight loss and improved type 2 diabetes management.
SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateMar 18, 2020
Researchers predict a nested series of rings within black hole images, with each successive ring becoming increasingly sharper due to its higher number of orbits around the black hole. This discovery enables new possibilities for observing black holes using only two telescopes far apart.
SourceInstitute for Advanced Study·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 18, 2020
Researchers discovered that a single soft x-ray can destroy a protein-sized molecule by inducing radiation damage in neighboring atoms. The findings could lead to safer medical imaging and a better understanding of heavy metals' electronic properties.
SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 18, 2020
A study found that children and teens aged 8-18 provide an average of 5 hours per day in caregiving activities, including tasks like medication management and cooking meals. Despite their efforts, many youth feel isolated and undertrained, highlighting the need for training and support.
SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateMar 18, 2020
A recent study in mice found that psychosis may be caused by problems with specialized nerve cells and learning behavior. The researchers hope this could provide insight into the emergence of delusions in patients with psychosis or schizophrenia.
Researchers found that people's prior beliefs about themselves may prevent accurate judgment of real appearance. By viewing their body from a third-person perspective, individuals rated it more attractively, pointing to potential applications for treating body perception disorders.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Robotics and AI·DateMar 18, 2020
Researchers created a tiny sensor that can detect ethylene gas concentrations as low as 15 parts per billion. The sensor uses carbon nanotubes and palladium catalysts to measure ethylene levels in real-time, revealing when fruits and vegetables are about to spoil.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalACS Central Science·DateMar 18, 2020
Researchers developed a faster and more objective alternative to traditional maggot analysis methods. They created a new hierarchical conformal predictor that can distinguish between six different maggot species, revolutionizing the field of forensic entomology.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateMar 18, 2020
The isoperimetric soft robot is a human-scale, pneumatic robot that can move without a tether and navigate unstructured environments. It achieves this by deforming its soft fabric tubes while maintaining its perimeter constant.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScience Robotics·DateMar 18, 2020
Women with coronary artery disease experience more chest pain due to plaque build-up, but have less extensive disease compared to men. The study highlights the need for more research and clinicians to adopt a dual focus to prevent cardiovascular events and improve patients' quality of life.
A study in The American Journal of Gastroenterology reveals that nearly half of COVID-19 patients in China presented with digestive symptoms like diarrhea and anorexia, which prolonged hospital stays and reduced recovery rates.
SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalThe American Journal of Gastroenterology·DateMar 18, 2020
A new study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence reveals that experiencing opioid withdrawal increases the likelihood of needle sharing and non-fatal overdose among individuals who inject drugs. The research also highlights the urgent need for medication-assisted treatment to address this public health issue.
SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateMar 18, 2020
Researchers explore alternative materials to improve optical fiber's data transmission capabilities, as telecom demands grow. They discovered fluoride glass can transmit light over a wider range of wavelengths, but it is more expensive and brittle.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateMar 18, 2020
The study found that fish species and size affect the types and amounts of plastics ingested, with larger fish consuming more plastics. The research sheds light on how plastics enter marine ecosystems from urban watersheds and highlights the need for better understanding to reduce plastic pollution's impact.
SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 18, 2020
Purdue University researchers have created a novel system that allows multiple players to interact with the same VR game on smartphones, reducing latency and improving user experience. The Coterie system enables 4K-resolution VR on commodity mobile devices and supports up to 10 players in the same application.
Combining therapeutic HPV vaccine ISA101 with chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel may extend survival in patients with advanced cervical cancer. The vaccine was well-tolerated, reducing suppressive myeloid cells to better stimulate T cell responses.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 18, 2020
Dr. Chaya N. Murali, a pediatric geneticist, received the 2020 Richard King Award for her outstanding research on patient-reported outcomes in children with osteogenesis imperfecta. Her award-winning article demonstrated the utility of a new data collection instrument.
SourceAmerican College of Medical Genetics and Genomics·DateMar 18, 2020
Researchers have developed a novel theory to explain the chaotic movements of particles in dynamic environments, where passive particles interact with active swimmers. The model suggests that such movements can be explained by Lévy flights, which arise from hydrodynamic interactions between swimmers and passive particles.
SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNature·DateMar 18, 2020
International team discovers two new species of six-gilled sawsharks in the West Indian Ocean, raising concerns about their vulnerability to overfishing. The discovery highlights the importance of assessing shark and ray biodiversity globally.
A recent study reveals that the loss of protein MCL1 can drive cancer formation in the intestine, even without bacterial-driven inflammation. The research found that mice lacking MCL1 developed tumors and intestinal damage, similar to human cases with chronic intestinal inflammation.
SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateMar 18, 2020
Researchers studying coral reef fish found species-specific physiological responses to warming temperatures, influenced by heatwave intensity and duration. The study's results signal potential long-term consequences for fish fitness and ecosystem health.
SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 18, 2020
A study by University of Washington researchers found that people often ignore fake news on social media, but some use strategies like evaluating the source or noticing inconsistencies to detect misinformation. The study provides a framework for understanding how people react to fake news and could inform interventions to resist misinf...
MIT biological engineers develop a multitissue model of the colon and liver, revealing how different tissues contribute to inflammatory diseases. The study finds that metabolic byproducts generated by bacteria play an important role in exacerbating inflammation.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCell Systems·DateMar 18, 2020
A trio of researchers argue that Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies often overlook vital factors, such as biodiversity and pesticide impacts, when comparing organic and intensive agriculture. They found that LCA rarely accounts for these effects, leading to wrong conclusions about the merits of organic farming.
SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNature Sustainability·DateMar 18, 2020
A new Stanford study found that diversified farms in Costa Rica provide a more secure habitat for birds and shield against the impacts of climate change. Diversified farms are more stable in supporting bird populations and offer refuge to threatened species.
Researchers recorded 2,750 minutes of underwater sounds in five major river systems, identifying over 7,000 distinct sounds. Most were from unknown biological sources, while human-caused noise dominated the landscape, potentially harming aquatic ecosystems.
A new study refines radiocarbon dating to better understand Mediterranean history, including the tomb of Tutankhamen and a volcanic eruption on Santorini. Regional variations in cosmic radiation lead to small but critical periods of variation in radiocarbon levels.
SourceCornell University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 18, 2020
Lundbeck contributes clinical trial data from over 2,500 patients to CPAD consortium's integrated database. C-Path and Lundbeck aim to expedite the development of new therapies for Alzheimer's disease through public-private partnerships.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore have identified a common therapeutic vulnerability for a genetically diverse and deadly form of leukemia. The study reveals that the polycomb repressive complex plays a critical role in driving progression to blast crisis, a nearly always fatal stage of the disease.
A recent investigation by The BMJ uncovered links between groups advocating for wider medical cannabis access and those pushing for recreational legalization. Industry funding for research into medicinal properties of cannabis has raised concerns about conflicts of interest and the potential normalization of cannabis use.
An analysis of media reporting on celebrity suicides found a significant association with increased suicide rates in the general population. Reporting on the specific methods used was also linked to an increased risk of suicide by the same method.
A long-running ARC-funded project explores the recruitment and impact of Aboriginal men as native mounted police in Queensland, revealing ongoing psychological impacts of historical dispossession and frontier violence. The study argues that inter-generational trauma persists among Indigenous Australians.
SourceFlinders University·JournalJournal of Genocide Research·DateMar 18, 2020
A new Stanford study found that historical observations can lead to significant underestimates of extreme weather events by about half, particularly heat waves and heavy rainfall in Europe, East Asia, and the U.S. Climate models were more accurate in predicting future occurrence of record-setting events.
SourceStanford University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 18, 2020
Children's National Hospital researchers isolated bacterial extracellular vesicles from healthy donors, revealing the gut microbiome communicates with the brain. The discovery could lead to a novel way of addressing antibiotic resistance by targeting bacteria-derived RNA.
Physicists have mapped the energy levels of exotic helium atoms and discovered a 'frozen planet' state configuration where an antiproton is trapped. This study provides insights into the stability of such configurations, which may be more amenable to experimental research.
SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateMar 18, 2020
A Rutgers University study found that teens who feel empowered and have strong coping mechanisms are less likely to engage in bullying, harassment, or committing acts of sexual violence. Adults can help teens build these strengths by having positive conversations about healthy relationships.
SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·DateMar 18, 2020
Researchers create synthetic coronavirus particles to study how they withstand changes in humidity and temperature. The study aims to inform policy decisions on the spread of the virus in different environmental conditions.
A new study published in Geology found that Late Cretaceous ecosystems in North America were characterized by diverse and mixed diets, with resource interchange between aquatic and terrestrial components being common. The research used stable isotope analysis to reconstruct the diets and habitat use of dinosaurs and other animals, cont...
SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateMar 18, 2020
Researchers developed an easy-to-use sensor that can sensitively detect changes in ethylene levels, a key hormone in plant health. The sensor uses a network of single-walled carbon nanotubes to monitor fluctuations in ethylene gas levels, with high sensitivity suitable for monitoring plants in the field.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Central Science·DateMar 18, 2020
Research finds that people with a history of cancer are at over two-fold risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), a heart rhythm disorder. Prostate cancer is most strongly associated with AFib, followed by colon, lung and breast cancers.
Dr. R. Rodney Howell is recognized for his innovative work in newborn screening, which has saved countless lives. He will receive the first Dr. Michael S. Watson Genetic and Genomic Medicine Innovation Award from the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine.
SourceAmerican College of Medical Genetics and Genomics·DateMar 18, 2020
A new study suggests that raking leaves just out to forest edges can result in a three-fold increase in blacklegged ticks. Homeowners can reduce tick habitats by removing leaves from high-use areas, composting them, or taking advantage of municipal curbside leaf pickup.
SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalJournal of Medical Entomology·DateMar 18, 2020
Researchers at TU Graz have developed X-Burst, a system that enables direct information exchange between IoT devices with different radio technologies. The system uses time-controlled energy pulses to transmit data packets of varying lengths, allowing for efficient communication without gateways.
The new mirrors use a bimetallic effect to create precise actuation, reducing light loss and increasing detection capabilities. The technology is useful for next-generation detectors and allows the detection of new sources of gravitational waves.
Researchers suggest that infectious agents may play a role in Alzheimer's disease, challenging the current amyloid hypothesis. Recent studies have linked certain viruses and bacteria to AD pathology, sparking fresh interest in this unorthodox approach.
SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Reviews Neurology·DateMar 18, 2020
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine identified a novel way to treat Danon disease using gene therapy, adding a specially designed gene that restores LAMP2 function. The treatment improved cardiac and liver function in mice with the disease, offering a new approach beyond heart transplants.
SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 18, 2020
Key information for gastroenterologists and patients with chronic digestive conditions about COVID-19 includes prioritizing patient safety and maintaining medication regimens. Laboratory findings in COVID-19 patients also include liver function test abnormalities, emphasizing the importance of monitoring.
SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateMar 18, 2020
Research highlights the critical role of social and financial factors in assessing cardiovascular risk, particularly food insecurity, housing instability, and financial hardship. Studies found that these factors can increase the likelihood of heart disease by over 50%.
Researchers at UNIGE have developed a new technique for creating chains of molecular rings that do not use standard chemical interactions but instead contact with large molecular surfaces. This discovery helps answer an old contradiction in classical chemistry and provides new prospects for molecular cyclization.
SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMar 18, 2020
Researchers developed a new kind of soft robot that can change its shape and move freely, combining benefits of soft robots with traditional robotics. The 'isoperimetric robot' has applications in homes, workplaces, disaster response, and space exploration.
SourceStanford University·JournalScience Robotics·DateMar 18, 2020
A Korea Brain Research Institute study found that the posterior parietal cortex plays a role in fear renewal in novel contexts. This discovery may lead to the development of new treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and fear-related disorders.
SourceKorea Brain Research Institute·JournalMolecular Brain·DateMar 18, 2020
Researchers at New York University develop guidelines for optimal band gap values in wide-band gap semiconductors for efficient underwater use. Various materials, such as organic and alloys, are shown to be suitable for deep waters, potentially extending the range of autonomous submersible vehicles.