Health tech companies handling sensitive user data may make unilateral changes to their policies without notifying users. This lack of transparency can lead to unwanted use or distribution of personal data, highlighting the need for stronger consumer protections.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers found that 35% of organic particles sink to depths due to fragmentation, regulating the oceans' capacity to sequester CO2. The discovery helps explain what happens to half of the particle flux that sinks to depths, previously unknown.
A new study uses artificial intelligence to identify groups of disease-related genes from huge amounts of gene expression data. The researchers found that the AI model discovered relevant patterns that agree well with biological mechanisms in the body, suggesting potential applications in precision medicine and individualized treatment.
SourceLinköping University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers have created a 'Rosetta stone' for urban scaling, mapping out common ground between cross-sectional and temporal approaches to study city growth. The framework reveals new insights about a city's behavior, including superlinear growth in socioeconomic properties.
SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers found a genetic variant associated with aggressive disease and shorter survival in men with metastatic prostate cancer. Genetic testing for the HSD3B1(1245C) variant may help identify patients most likely to benefit from additional treatment.
SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateFeb 13, 2020
A new study provides an unprecedented look at the molecular steps of endometrial cancer, offering insights into tumor aggressiveness and patient responses to treatment. The research also suggests potential new roles for already-approved drugs targeting proteins like CDK12, SMARCA4, and PML in other types of cancer.
SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalCell·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers at Osaka University have reported a straightforward approach to protein modification by targeting the N-terminus, providing a new tool for protein engineering. The method uses a single-step reaction to conjugate functional molecules to proteins, resulting in highly efficient site-specific labeling under mild conditions.
Researchers discovered autophagy's selective degradation of protein liquid droplets but poor performance with aggregated proteins. This study used yeast and a test tube system to reconstitute the Ape1 isolation process, revealing the role of Atg8 and receptor proteins.
SourceJapan Science and Technology Agency·JournalMolecular Cell·DateFeb 13, 2020
A new study found that thousands of UK children undergo unnecessary appendix surgery each year, with a high rate of misdiagnosis. Researchers propose routine risk scoring and improved ultrasound services to reduce unnecessary surgery and save the NHS £4.4 million per year.
SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·DateFeb 13, 2020
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital researchers found that more than half of existing kidney disease quality metrics are of middle or low quality, which hampers efforts to improve patient care. The team advocates for shifting focus to metrics that matter most to patients and accurately reflect kidney health or disease progression.
SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers found that misinformation during epidemics of infectious disease could make those outbreaks more severe. Strategies to fight fake news, such as 'immunizing' people against bad information through better education, showed promise in reducing the impact of bad advice on disease outcomes.
A new BU School of Public Health study scores states on alcohol policy, finding even Utah has room for improvement. The research found that laws to reduce excessive drinking also have an independent effect on reducing impaired driving.
SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·DateFeb 13, 2020
Children separated from their parents for extended periods may experience long-term genetic changes due to elevated cortisol levels. The study highlights the importance of parental care on a child's genes and behavior.
SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateFeb 13, 2020
Dr. Neal Barnard shares how common conditions like infertility, weight gain, and menopausal symptoms are fueled by hormone imbalances linked to food choices. He offers practical tips and recipes to balance hormones and improve overall health.
SourcePhysicians Committee for Responsible Medicine·DateFeb 13, 2020
Research at Massachusetts General Hospital examines brains of individuals with early-life trauma and functional neurological disorder, finding correlations between childhood abuse severity and altered brain connectivity. The study's findings may provide new insights into the plastic brain mechanisms underlying FND.
SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateFeb 13, 2020
New research found that high-elevation forests in Colorado's southern Rocky Mountains have a good chance of recovery after overlapping bark beetle outbreaks. However, foraging elk and deer are slowing the process by browsing smaller trees and stunting their growth.
SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalEcology·DateFeb 13, 2020
A novel simplified biotechnological route has been developed to convert sugarcane bagasse and wheat straw into fine chemicals. The new process uses a cascade of three catalytic enzymes to release ferulic acid from lignocellulosic biomass and convert it directly into coniferol, resulting in high conversion yields.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalGreen Chemistry·DateFeb 13, 2020
A Rutgers-led study found that high school students reported higher e-cigarette use when Juul was included in the measure, particularly among female and black students. The study suggests health officials might be underestimating teen e-cigarette use prevalence.
SourceRutgers University·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 13, 2020
A new gene mutation, A143T variant of GLA gene, is associated with an increased risk of Fabry cardiomyopathy. Patients carrying the mutation should initiate treatment to prevent disease progression.
SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalHeart·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers developed a wirelessly powered, leadless pacemaker that can synchronize both sides of the heart, reducing complications associated with traditional pacemakers. The device has shown impressive clinical outcomes measures and is being further miniaturized for implantable use.
SourceTexas Heart Institute·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 13, 2020
A recent Rutgers-led study tracked ob-gyn article citation rates, finding substantial differences between articles published in non-specialty and specialty journals. Top-cited ob-gyn articles from non-specialty journals showed higher levels of evidence, broader appeal, and more frequent citations.
SourceRutgers University·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers at UTS have developed a method to protect pipelines using polymer blocks, improving safety and reliability in Australia's pipeline network. The proposed solution can save lives and reduce environmental disasters due to content leakage.
SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalGeotextiles and Geomembranes·DateFeb 13, 2020
A 'smart' bandage developed by UConn engineers can precisely deliver different medications to chronic wounds, promoting healing and reducing morbidity. The wirelessly-controlled bandage is equipped with miniature needles that can penetrate deeper layers of the wound bed with minimal pain and inflammation.
SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers at MUSC and UCSD found that autophagy genes work against tumors in certain types of ovarian cancer. The study validated the role of BECN1 and LC3B as tumor suppressors, shedding light on their potential as targets for treatment.
SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateFeb 13, 2020
A new study from UC Davis finds significant disparities between employers' and employees' approaches to wildfire smoke concerns. Many farmworkers prioritize work over safety, while some employers lack clear plans or protocols for managing air quality.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalJournal of Agromedicine·DateFeb 13, 2020
Standardised packaging in the UK led to higher cigarette prices despite warnings from the tobacco industry. The study found that prices increased due to the introduction of a minimum excise tax (MET) that forced companies to pay at least £5.88 per pack, reducing their ability to manipulate prices.
Researchers studied Hydractinia's unique ability to produce germ cells nonstop throughout its life. The study found that the gene Tfap2 controls perpetual germ cell production in this animal, a process similar to humans but with distinct differences. This discovery could provide clues to human reproductive disorders.
SourceNIH/National Human Genome Research Institute·JournalScience·DateFeb 13, 2020
A group of marine scientists, including Stony Brook University's Oliver Shipley, is calling on governments to establish larger spatial protections for sharks in the Greater Caribbean. The region boasts high marine biodiversity and contains many migratory shark species, but has been overlooked in conservation efforts.
SourceStony Brook University·JournalScience·DateFeb 13, 2020
A new smartphone app, MAESTRO*, can recognize locusts and grasshopper pests through camera images and record GPS locations. The app aims to enable targeted pesticide delivery to prevent swarms from spreading and devastating crops. Researchers gathered over 3,500 locust images to train the system.
SourceUniversity of Lincoln·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 13, 2020
Two new studies from Princeton researchers and their collaborators chart a course for restoring conductivity in fragile topology materials. The studies provide a theoretical explanation for the phenomenon, revealing that conducting surface states can reappear under specific conditions.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have identified distinct genetic profiles for endothelial cells in various organs, including heart, brain, and lungs. These findings suggest that targeting specific blood vessels could lead to more effective treatments for vascular diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.
A new study by the University of Saskatchewan has found that the likely culprit of the Minamata poisoning is alpha-mercuri-acetaldehyde, a mercury waste product not previously identified. This organic mercury species was discharged directly from the Chisso Corporation's chemical factory and contaminated Minamata Bay.
SourceUniversity of Saskatchewan·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers found that within a year of a dam's opening, downstream river temperatures dropped by up to 3.6 degrees F, persisting where the rivers meet the Mekong River. The cooling effect is driven by dams releasing cold water from reservoirs during dry season.
SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateFeb 13, 2020
A pilot study by the University of South Australia has successfully recorded heart and breathing signals from nine species of Adelaide Zoo's animals using high-resolution digital cameras. The technique allows for remote monitoring of wild animals, potentially leading to earlier detection of illness and reduced vet visits.
SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalSensors·DateFeb 13, 2020
A team of researchers at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research has identified individual cells that cause autoimmune disease from patient samples. They discovered how these cells 'go rogue' by evading checkpoints and accumulating genetic mutations that drive disease progression.
SourceGarvan Institute of Medical Research·JournalCell·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers investigate electron behavior in disordered materials, finding a connection to soft matter particles. The study reveals the Griffiths phase, an electronic analog, in Mott-transition systems, bridging condensed matter and soft matter physics.
SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers have identified microscopic structures called cassiosomes in the mucus of upside-down jellyfish, which release a toxin-filled substance into the water. The discovery resolves the mystery of 'stinging water' and provides insight into the feeding strategy of these animals.
SourceSmithsonian·JournalCommunications Biology·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers have designed efficient polymers to prevent ice growth and damage cells during cryo-storage. The study identifies key factors controlling the binding of flexible polymers to ice, paving the way for de novo design of more potent inhibitors.
SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateFeb 13, 2020
The study reveals a new electronic state of matter where electrons form bunches of two, three, four and five electrons behaving like new types of particles. Researchers recognized a sequence within Pascal's Triangle that helped them understand the discovery, which features properties related to quantum entanglement.
SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalScience·DateFeb 13, 2020
A recent study by Ohio University researchers found that nearly 70% of tourist-gorilla spacing observations took place within 7 meters, posing a risk of disease transmission. The study urges tourists to maintain safe distances and encourages park officials to implement measures to protect gorilla health.
SourceOhio University·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers found a molecular switch mechanism that regulates biological clocks, explaining how mutations can shorten clock timing. This discovery may enable the development of therapies to alleviate disruptions caused by clock dysregulation.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers found that personal contact between police officers and citizens encourages a positive attitude towards the country's central authority. The study suggests building relationships may help a new government earn legitimacy in the eyes of citizens, potentially preventing violence in the future.
SourceCornell University·JournalAmerican Political Science Review·DateFeb 13, 2020
Survival rates have improved significantly for children who received kidney transplants, with a 72% lower mortality risk among those transplanted later than earlier periods. This improvement is primarily attributed to reduced deaths from cardiovascular causes and infections.
SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 13, 2020
A randomized clinical trial evaluated subconcussive head impacts in soccer players, finding those who received heading shots performed worse on eye movement tests compared to a control group. The study suggests that such impacts may cause short-term effects on neuro-eye function.
SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateFeb 13, 2020
A systematic literature review by academics at UCL found that no single factor causes megaproject failures, but rather a combination of six key themes. The study identified 54 preventative solutions to improve megaproject performance, including designing system architecture and engaging institutions and communities.
SourceUniversity College London·JournalProject Management Journal·DateFeb 13, 2020
High-performance electric propellants have a higher enthalpy due to internal energy storage, which affects efficiency. The study predicts the material's conductivity and ionization at extreme temperatures.
SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalJournal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer·DateFeb 13, 2020
Scientists at the University of Freiburg have developed a method to control electronic dynamics in real time by shaping attosecond pulses. This breakthrough allows for the study of molecular or crystal responses and has potential applications in optimizing processes like photosynthesis and charge separation.
A study published in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors found that intoxication reduces the distraction caused by attractive faces, allowing intoxicated individuals to focus equally on both attractive and unattractive faces. The researchers used a computer-based task to assess participants' attention while ignoring facial stimuli.
SourceEdge Hill University·JournalPsychology of Addictive Behaviors·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have developed an algorithm that can solve complex problems with remarkable facility on a personal computer. The SPA algorithm enables accurate weather forecasts with a prediction error of only 0.75 degrees Celsius, surpassing the performance of supercomputers.
SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 13, 2020
Research suggests a genetic profile may predict the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in women who have had gestational diabetes. A study analyzing data from 2,434 women found that those with a larger proportion of certain gene variants were at higher risk.
SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalBMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care·DateFeb 13, 2020
A study found that Google Trends shows a significant increase in searches for 'quit vaping' during the EVALI outbreak, with a 3.7-fold rise, highlighting the need for public health messaging and clinical screening of patients who vape.
SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateFeb 13, 2020
A study published in BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health found that having 10 or more lifetime sexual partners is associated with a heightened risk of cancer diagnosis in both men and women. Women who reported this number were 91% more likely to be diagnosed, while those with limiting chronic conditions were 64% more likely. The study sug...
SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have discovered that the overactive LRRK2 enzyme wreaks havoc on motor and cognitive abilities in Parkinson's disease. The team has simulated the activity of the enzyme in the laboratory, visualizing its effects on protein complexes and paving the way for new treatments.
SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalStructure·DateFeb 13, 2020
An interdisciplinary team from KU Leuven has mapped out the technological and economic viability of replacing petroleum with wood in the chemical industry. The research suggests that a biorefinery using wood can produce chemicals with lower CO2 emissions, making it a more sustainable alternative.
Wind shear, a measure of changing winds with altitude, affects Tropical Cyclone Uesi's rotation and strength. The NASA Aqua satellite revealed this impact, showing clouds being pushed to the southeast of the center of circulation.
A new study by Brazilian researchers sheds light on astrogliosis, a common inflammatory process in brain tissue linked to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Human astrocytes created in the lab were found to exhibit impaired function and morphological changes after exposure to an inflammatory protein.
SourceD'Or Institute for Research and Education·JournalGlia·DateFeb 13, 2020
A study suggests that reducing alcohol outlet density in Baltimore City could prevent violent crimes by lowering the homicide rate. The researchers analyzed three main policy changes and found that closing liquor stores in residential areas would eliminate 22 homicides a year, saving $27.5 million.
SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers found that mice consuming their own poop have higher microbial loads and different bile acid profiles compared to those not eating feces. This study highlights the importance of considering self-reinoculation in research involving mice, particularly in dietary, probiotic, and drug studies.
SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalMicrobiome·DateFeb 13, 2020
Research suggests that wearing a partner's favorite T-shirt can improve sleep quality, with participants sleeping over nine minutes more efficiently per night. This effect is comparable to that of melatonin supplements and may have broader health benefits.
SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology propose a radically new biosensor design that could increase detector sensitivity many times over, making it suitable for mobile and wearable devices. The new layout aims to make biosensors easier to manufacture, cheaper, and more responsive.
SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalSensors·DateFeb 13, 2020