Researchers at UCL have developed a new test to identify the earliest genetic changes of prostate cancer in blood plasma. The process, known as DNA methylation, uses Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to establish if prostate cancer DNA is present in blood plasma.
Researchers at FAU found that belemnites, ancient squid-like creatures, shrank significantly as water temperatures rose during the Toarcian period. The study suggests climate change played a significant role in shaping the morphology of aquatic organisms and may have contributed to their extinction.
A new clinical guideline aims to inform clinicians about evidence-based interventions to treat homeless and precariously housed people. The guideline recommends integrating housing support, income assistance, case management, opioid agonist therapy, and harm-reduction services to address the complex needs of vulnerable populations.
A study of 591 people reveals that prosocial choices initially increase happiness, but this effect is reversed after a month. The findings suggest that prosociality may not always lead to increased happiness.
Scientists propose a new method to produce thermally stable single-atom catalysts (SACs) with high metal loading. The method uses a simple and environmentally friendly approach, achieving kilogram-level production of commercial Fe2O3 supported Ru SACs.
A nationwide study found that racial/ethnic minorities and individuals with lower incomes are less likely to receive office-based care for musculoskeletal conditions, while those with public insurance status are more likely to use emergency department care. This disparity contributes significantly to healthcare expenditures.
Researchers identified a gene, CELSR2, associated with glucocorticoid resistance in leukemia cells. A new drug, venetoclax, may reverse resistance by inhibiting a cell death pathway. The findings suggest combining venetoclax with current therapy could improve ALL chemotherapy effectiveness.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have successfully used gene therapy to reverse cardiac dysfunction and scarring in two mouse models of Barth syndrome. The treatment, which replaced the mutated TAZ gene, prevented progressive cardiomyopathy and restored heart function in both whole-body and heart-only TAZ deletion mice.
Researchers discovered a new master control region in alpha-synuclein protein that controls amyloid formation, leading to neurodegeneration and movement difficulties. This finding opens up new opportunities to develop therapies to slow down or prevent Parkinson's disease.
Scientists create micrometric scaffolding with gold nanoparticles to detect biomarkers and track cell displacement in real time. The SERS technology allows for precise monitoring of tumor growth and evolution, providing insights into cancer treatment.
A recent study published in Nutrients found that 65% of college basketball players were vitamin D insufficient at baseline. Athletes with darker skin pigmentation exhibited heightened risk of vitamin D insufficiency, while those with fair or very fair skin showed no deficiency.
Researchers at Ohio State University analyzed 27 studies on gratitude interventions and found that they had limited value in relieving anxiety and depression. Instead, they recommend treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy for these issues.
A University of Michigan study reveals that ostrich eggshell beads were exchanged over long distances for at least 30,000 years, facilitating relationships between hunter-gatherer groups. The findings provide evidence of a complex exchange network used to share information on resources and landscapes.
Bioscientists at Rice University have developed a novel system to amplify gene expression signals, allowing for more sensitive detection of target genes. The system, consisting of two modules, provides high-resolution dynamic information on gene expression dynamics, which are critical for understanding cell behavior.
A study of 191 patients with confirmed COVID-19 found that older age, sepsis, and blood clotting issues were key risk factors for death. The study also identified the median duration of viral shedding as 20 days in survivors, highlighting the importance of isolation precautions and antiviral treatment.
Research shows that ship noise affects shore crabs' ability to change color and behave normally, reducing their camouflage effectiveness. The study found that juvenile crabs exposed to ship noise changed color half as quickly, making them less camouflaged.
Researchers propose a flexible interface design to reduce alloying stress on silicon anodes, resulting in record-breaking rate performance and cycling stability. The design modulates stress distribution via a soft nylon fabric modified with a conductive Cu-Ni transition layer.
Researchers have developed a new process to produce polyolefins with varying levels of branching, allowing for easier recycling and potentially reducing plastic waste. The method also enables the creation of plastics from natural oils and other substances, addressing environmental sustainability issues.
Sea turtles eat ocean plastics due to their smell, which is caused by a coating of algae and microorganisms on the plastic. This can lead to blockages in their digestive systems and even illness.
Researchers found a polymorphism associated with protective effects against major depressive disorder in women. Microglial cells' immune receptors may play a role in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Researchers at Princeton University identified key factors essential for chronic hepatitis B infection. The study found that five human proteins are necessary for the repair process of HBV DNA, and targeting these factors could potentially prevent the infection.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new skin treatment using microscopic STAR particles that can deliver drugs directly to affected areas. The treatment, which involves rubbing the particles on the skin, has shown promising results in inhibiting tumor growth in mice.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that community characteristics play a significant role in determining life expectancy, with factors such as fast food restaurants, population density, and jobs in the extraction industry negatively affecting lifespan. Conversely, social capital, good access to physicians, and lower population...
Researchers discovered a rare eclipsing binary brown dwarf system using the SPECULOOS project, confirming theoretical models of brown dwarfs' cooling processes and providing valuable insights. The system consists of two brown dwarfs orbiting each other, offering opportunities to study their atmospheres and climates.
Researchers found that sea turtles respond to odors from biofouled plastics in the same way they respond to food odorants. This 'olfactory trap' explains why sea turtles ingest and become entangled in plastic debris. Biofouling, the accumulation of microbes on wet surfaces, is a major factor contributing to this attraction.
Around 1 in 20 NHS 111 calls lead to unnecessary emergency care visits, with factors like female sex and young age increasing the risk. The study analyzed 16 million calls and found that 83% of those advised against emergency care still visited within 24 hours.
Weedy rice is a significant threat to global rice productivity, with $45 million annual losses in the US alone. Researchers aim to characterize its genetic basis and traits that enable it to outcompete rice.
Researchers have discovered a novel 'toolkit' of proteins that can repair breaks in DNA, which can lead to cellular ageing, cancer, and neurological diseases. The discovery of the protein TEX264 holds promise for treating cancer and preventing age-related diseases.
A European research network is funding a study to investigate how biological diversity influences chains of infection for mosquito-borne diseases. The project aims to develop reliable risk assessments and identify the impact of biodiversity, landscape diversity, and socio-economic conditions on disease transmission.
The Annual Review of Cancer Biology has converted to open access, making its content freely available worldwide. The move is part of a pilot program called Subscribe to Open, which uses existing library relationships and subscription purchases to convert gated journals to open access.
Pro-vaping and other tobacco videos on YouTube have seen dramatic increases in viewership over the past half-dozen years, despite ad bans. The research highlights the challenges of regulating online content and the potential for social media platforms to influence young people's health information.
A study found that UK hospices provide some form of support before and after parental death, but the type and timing vary widely. Hospices report funding difficulties in training staff for bereavement services, despite national guidelines recommending tailored support.
A breakthrough in optical fiber sensors has enabled the measurement of refractive index outside the cladding of standard fibers, addressing a decades-long challenge. The new concept uses Brillouin dynamic gratings to create acoustic oscillations within the core, allowing for precise measurement and spatially-distributed analysis.
A new UNSW study found that climate change and urbanization are expected to increase groundwater organic carbon, posing a threat to the quality and availability of drinking water for over half of the world's population. Increased groundwater DOC concentrations can lead to higher water treatment costs and health risks.
Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin and Tsinghua University develop a new technology called opto-thermoelectric pulling (OTEP) to achieve the optical pulling of light-absorbing particles. This technique uses directional optical heating to create an asymmetric thermoelectric field, allowing for the trapping of particles a...
A new study of fossil mollusk shells from the late Cretaceous period found that a day lasted 23.5 hours, with ocean temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius in summer and exceeding 30 degrees Celsius in winter. The ancient shell revealed unprecedented detail about the animal's growth rate and water conditions.
Researchers found that a community-based intervention using mobile vans significantly increased viral suppression, with 74% of participants achieving suppression compared to 63% in traditional clinics. The convenience of the vans made it easier for people living with HIV to access treatment.
Astronomers have discovered a one-sided pulsator in the Milky Way, with citizen scientists providing crucial clues. The star's unusual single-sided pulsation is caused by its location in a binary star system with a red dwarf companion.
A new genetic map of psychiatric disorders has been completed by an international study involving 230,000 patients worldwide. The research identified 109 genetic variants associated with eight psychiatric disorders, including autism, ADHD, and schizophrenia.
Researchers developed twin-chain hydrogels for cleaning artworks, improving efficacy on rough surfaces and reducing pigment loss. The new tool was successfully tested on Jackson Pollock paintings, demonstrating superior cleaning capabilities compared to conventional methods.
New research reveals a worrying change in Indian Ocean surface temperatures, putting southeast Australia on course for increasingly hot and dry conditions. The study, led by Australian National University, suggests that historically rare events have become more frequent and intense during the 20th Century.
Researchers have unveiled the structure and mechanism of a protein critical to DNA packaging in human cells, which is highly overexpressed in various cancers. The study found that this protein facilitates histone loading by utilizing ATP, offering new insights into developing targeted therapies for cancer treatment.
Researchers developed a fluorescence-based technique to monitor single molecules, accelerating structural biology and potentially aiding in structure-guided drug design. The technique uses FRET to visualize biomolecules with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution.
Researchers examined Hadza adults' activity patterns, finding they spent nearly 10 hours a day in nonambulatory postures similar to industrialized populations. However, Hadza adults spent more time in squatting and kneeling postures, which produce muscle activity, suggesting humans need daily muscle activity from both movement and resting
A study published in Environmental Science and Technology found that wearing clothes can release up to 400 microfibers per gram of fabric during normal activity, while washing clothes can release up to 4,000. This suggests that one person could release almost 900 million polyester microfibers per year through simply wearing garments.
Researchers at Stanford University used brain imaging to forecast how long people will watch videos online. They found that brain responses, not self-reports, predict video popularity. Longer video views were associated with activity in reward-sensitive regions of the brain.
A new study by Boston University researchers estimates that nearly 62,530 cancer survivors in the US are transgender, with trans men being twice as likely to receive a cancer diagnosis. Transgender individuals also face higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, and depression compared to cisgender counterparts.
Researchers at Linköping University have created an organic material with superb conductivity by mixing two polymers, eliminating the need for doping. This breakthrough could lead to improved efficiency in organic solar cells and bioelectronic applications.
A Mayo Clinic-led study reveals that rapid fat degradation occurs in acute pancreatitis, triggered by PNLIP enzyme, and worsens disease outcomes. Obesity exacerbates pancreatitis risk, while unsaturated fats increase organ failure risk.
A new study finds that hurricanes Irma and Maria combined to knock down a quarter of Puerto Rico's tree biomass, with rain dominating the damage caused by wind. The research suggests that future hurricanes stoked by warming climates may be even more destructive to forests than previously thought.
Researchers analyzed data from 224 stars to understand the interplay between rotation and convection in determining a star's activity level. The study found that turbulent convection plays a crucial role in explaining the behavior of main-sequence and evolved stars, contradicting previous models.
The study describes experiments using a three-dimensional active nematic, revealing dominant loop structures that emerge spontaneously and expand before self-annihilating. These loops differ from defects in two-dimensional systems, having no charge but still related to them.
A new guideline aims to address Indigenous homelessness through four broad protocols: situating oneself, visiting, hospitality, and treating others with respect. The guidelines emphasize the importance of inter-relationality and community-based approaches to support Indigenous peoples experiencing homelessness.
Including smoking cessation with existing lung cancer screening efforts would significantly reduce lung cancer mortality and increase life-years gained. The study found that point-of-screening cessation interventions could further reduce lung cancer deaths by 14% and increase life-years gained by 81%.
Researchers have successfully created translucent solar cells with a high efficiency level of 12.2%, solving issues of flexibility and transparency. The development paves the way for integrating solar cells into everyday infrastructure, such as energy-generating vehicles and buildings made from glass.
Researchers from diverse fields collaborate to understand plant-environment interactions, bridging paleoecology, physiology, ecology, genetics, and more. Key findings reveal how plants leverage their genomes to adapt to abiotic stressors and interact with microbes.
A method combining vital signs and medical data predicts circulatory failure in ICU patients several hours in advance, enabling early intervention. The approach uses just 20 relevant variables to achieve 90% accuracy and cuts alarm systems by 90%. Further development is needed for clinical trial testing.
Physicist Esther Wertz receives NSF CAREER award to investigate nanometer-scale metal structures controlling light at the quantum limit. Her work aims to create a single photon transistor by manipulating quantum states without destroying superposition.
Scientists have successfully turned back the biological hands of time by coaxing adult human cells to revert to a primitive state, unlocking their potential to replace and repair damaged blood vessels in the retina. The findings advance regenerative medicine techniques aimed at reversing diabetic retinopathy.
Researchers found that urban lizards can maintain function at temperatures 0.82 degrees C higher than forest counterparts. This heat tolerance allows them to thrive in urban environments, where temperatures often exceed 40 C.