A study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that federal data undercounted overdose deaths caused by opioids and cocaine, with benzodiazepines underreported by 45% and amphetamines by 17%. The study suggests that the use of different reporting methods may be contributing to the disparity.
A recent study analyzed the gut microbiomes of over 900 species, revealing that birds and bats have surprisingly similar gut bacteria, contrary to expectations. The researchers believe that flying may be the reason for this unique relationship, as it would allow animals to allocate resources more efficiently.
A UNIGE physicist proposes altering the mathematical language of classical physics to allow for indeterminism and randomness, resolving contradictions with quantum physics. This shift would enable a more intuitive approach to understanding the world, closer to our everyday experience.
Researchers have identified a repeating Fast Radio Burst source in a nearby spiral galaxy, which is radically different from previous studies. The discovery challenges assumptions about the origin of these mysterious radio pulses and may indicate that FRBs are produced in a large zoo of locations across the Universe.
A new study reveals that peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) increase the risk of blood clots and bloodstream infections in children. Children with a prior history of VTE, larger caliber catheters, or leukemia are more susceptible to these complications.
A team of researchers at Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center has collected real-time data to show that light is produced inside the eye during head and neck radiation therapy, elicitng a visual sensation. This evidence supports the idea that Cherenkov light emission from the eye can cause a visual effect.
The university aims to provide unique research opportunities for undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds, tackling big data sciences challenges. The three-year program will integrate students from Virginia Tech and partnering colleges, offering experiential learning and diversity.
Astronomers at Harvard University have discovered a giant, wave-shaped gaseous structure made up of interconnected stellar nurseries in the Milky Way galaxy. The 'Radcliffe wave' stretches over trillions of miles and challenges traditional views of nearby stellar nurseries as an expanding ring.
Researchers found that by prioritizing more effective 'umbrella' species, Australia's conservation efforts could be improved by a factor of seven. Different choices in the country could provide more assistance for threatened species, including koalas and red goshawks.
Researchers at Uppsala University used a computer algorithm to identify a promising new treatment for neuroblastoma, a form of childhood cancer. The new treatment targets the CNR2 receptor protein, which was discovered using massive amounts of genetic and pharmacological data.
Researchers have successfully developed a new production method for single-walled carbon nanotubes, addressing the issue of variability in nanotube sources. The new process, led by Swansea University and NoPo Nanotechnologies, has shown favorable comparisons to historically available materials.
Researchers from the University of Malaga have developed a software to improve cognitive abilities in athletes, particularly soccer players. The study found that computerized training enhances their selective attention, enabling them to focus on specific stimuli and make creative decisions during games.
A new study found that patients on dialysis who experience cardiac arrest while in the hospital have similar survival rates to those not on dialysis. However, they had lower scores for resuscitation quality and were less likely to receive defibrillation within 2 minutes.
A Virginia Tech professor is leading a study on STEM-based environmental education programs to determine how to promote positive learning outcomes for students. The research, funded by the National Science Foundation, will observe 500 single-day field trips and analyze their characteristics to identify factors linked to better outcomes.
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine has released new evidence-based recommendations on the benefits and risks of bedsharing for breastfeeding mothers. Safe bedsharing is now considered a positive practice, but parents should be educated on hazards such as tobacco exposure, preterm birth, and impaired adult behavior.
The study found significant tumor shrinkage in two out of three patients with salivary gland tumors treated with T-DM1. The benefit lasted for at least two years in one patient, suggesting a promising activity for this rare cancer type.
A Cornell study identifies a key pathway in gastric SCJ cancers that provides a promising target for future study and therapy. Large pools of immature Lgr5-CD44+ cells, rather than Lgr5+ stem cells, promote cancer in areas where two stomach tissues meet.
Researchers found that relaxin upregulates sodium channels, improving electrical signaling in the heart, and reverses age-related reductions in cell adhesion molecules. This discovery may lead to new therapeutic potential for cardiovascular disease treatment.
Professor Georg Woltersdorf has been appointed as a Max Planck Fellow to investigate dynamic phenomena in novel electronic materials using optical methods. The research aims to develop ultrafast logic devices and information storage, leveraging expertise from the Max Planck Institute for Microstructure Physics.
A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that New Yorkers are being treated sooner after HIV infection, with a median time of 0.2 years (~2.4 months) for those diagnosed in 2015. This reduction coincides with expanded testing and treatment efforts in the city.
Researchers at San Diego State University have discovered two new planetary systems similar to Tatooine from Star Wars, including TOI-1338 b and KOI-3152 b. These circumbinary planets were found using NASA's TESS mission data and provide insight into the population of such systems.
The NSF Vera C. Rubin Observatory will conduct a vast astronomical survey, mapping the Milky Way and probing dark energy and dark matter. Vera Rubin's groundbreaking work uncovered the existence of dark matter, making this observatory a fitting tribute to her legacy.
A clinical trial is testing an experimental stem cell treatment against the best available biologic therapies for severe forms of relapsing multiple sclerosis. The trial aims to determine whether autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is an effective and durable treatment option for people with severe relapsing MS w...
Scientists at Iowa State University restored much of the cardiac function in middle-aged flies, which experience many of the same heart maladies as middle-aged humans. By boosting a key genetic pathway called mTORC2, researchers almost fully restored heart function, showing promise for treating human heart disease.
A recent Kansas State University study found large increases in nitrate levels in shallow wells of the Great Bend Prairie Aquifer, a part of the High Plains Aquifer. The study, which compared water chemistries over 40 years, revealed that twenty of 21 wells had increased nitrate concentrations, with seven exceeding EPA standards.
NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has discovered the first planet to orbit two stars, TOI 1338 b. The exoplanet orbits a binary system consisting of a larger and smaller star, with the latter being only one-third the mass of our Sun.
Tropical Storm Blake is moving south and is expected to make landfall near Wallal Downs early Wednesday morning. The storm's center was located just off shore from Bidyadanga, with maximum sustained winds of 75 kph (47 mph) on January 7.
Researchers found that only 57.5% of falls were accounted for in Nursing Home Compare's ratings, with racial disparities and higher rates for long-term stays. The study suggests that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should change their evaluation criteria to use objective sources like claims data.
A single dose of antibody-based treatment can prevent HIV transmission from mother to baby, according to new research. The study found that administering a combination of two antibodies 30 hours after viral exposure prevented SHIV infection in rhesus macaque newborns.
Astronomers have identified overlapping bubbles of hydrogen gas ionized by the stars in early galaxies, providing direct evidence for the reionization of the universe. The earliest detected stars formed around 680 million years after the Big Bang and began to light up the cosmic dark ages.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that children exposed to high levels of air pollution during childhood are at a higher risk of developing schizophrenia. The study showed an increased risk of approximately 20% for every 10 μg/m3 increase in daily average air pollution.
A new study conducted at University of Utah Health found that zinc and folic acid supplements did not improve sperm counts or pregnancy rates in men. The researchers also noted a higher proportion of broken DNA in sperm among those who took the supplements, which could contribute to male infertility.
Research published in Injury Prevention found that US states with comprehensive regulations for open water swim sites have significantly lower drowning death rates. States with stricter regulations tend to have lower drowning rates, particularly among high-risk groups such as people of non-white ethnicity and children/teens.
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys have discovered a new way to boost the immune system's ability to fight cancer. The study found that a PD-1 inhibitor can be used to treat tumors that currently do not respond to this therapy, when administered in mice lacking the Siah2 gene.
LSU astronomers predict that binary star V Sagittae will become the brightest in the Milky Way galaxy, outshining Sirius and Venus, around 2083. The star is currently faintly visible but will brighten rapidly due to its rapid orbital decay.
A US$1 dollar increase in the minimum wage is linked to a significant fall in suicide rates, with an estimated reduction of 3.5-6%. The effect is strongest during periods of high unemployment, suggesting that economic interventions can have a positive impact on mental health outcomes.
A Yale University study has identified six genetic variants linked to anxiety in approximately 200,000 military veterans. The research provides the first convincing molecular explanation for the coexistence of anxiety and depression, suggesting shared genetic risks.
A new study on brain tumors has identified mutations that are particular to different tumor types, enabling precision medicine approaches. The research also lists licensed drugs that could be used as combination therapies to target specific mutations in the future.
A study evaluated various commercial products to recover cotton plants from reduced dicamba and 2,4-D rates. No recovery treatments regained yields compared to untreated plots for either herbicide, with inconsistent trends from year to year.
Researchers have uncovered how histone chaperones use chemical energy to assemble chromatin, a critical process in gene expression regulation. The discovery sheds light on the misregulation of chromatin structures and their role in developmental disorders and cancers.
A study of 2.7 billion-year-old micrometeorites reveals that the early atmosphere likely contained between 25-50% CO2, leading to a cooler climate with evidence of glaciation. This finding suggests lower nitrogen levels in the ancient atmosphere, allowing for a modest greenhouse effect.
A new poll suggests that while older adults use online physician ratings, they are cautious in their approach, prioritizing factors such as wait time and doctor experience over the number of stars. Meanwhile, only a small percentage of those polled have actually posted reviews or ratings of doctors online.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a stretchy and self-healing thermoelectric material that can generate electricity using body heat. The material has been shown to be robust enough to withstand daily stress and strain, making it a promising candidate for powering wearable technologies.
Researchers from over 70 countries develop a comprehensive road map to address the pressing issue of declining insect populations, driven by human-induced stress factors such as habitat loss and climate change. The plan outlines immediate, mid-term, and long-term actions to prioritize conservation efforts and restore ecosystems.
A new study shows that brief daily mindfulness training facilitates extinction of conditioned fear reactions, producing lasting reductions in threat-related arousal responses. Mindfulness appears to have a specific effect on extinction retention, which could improve treatment effects for anxiety and trauma-related disorders.
Researchers found that young children who exhibit less fear and desire for social connection are at risk of developing callous-unemotional traits, which can lead to antisocial behavior. These traits are characterized by a lack of empathy and sensitivity to others' emotions.
A machine learning tool has identified 12 new human proteins carrying functional leucine-aspartic acid (LD) motifs, which play a significant role in cell adhesion and morphogenesis. The researchers also found that LD motif signaling evolved over 800 million years ago, possibly by co-opting ancestral interaction sequences.
Researchers have observed processes in the upper mantle before a new submarine volcano formed off the Comoros island. The team reconstructed the partial emptying of a large magma reservoir and identified a dramatic movement of molten rocks before the eruption.
Researchers have found that deleting the BMAL1 clock gene makes immune cells more effective at fighting off pneumonia-causing bacteria. The study reveals that strengthening the actin skeleton of these cells is key to their increased effectiveness.
A new study found that diverse natural forests with multiple tree species are more reliable and stable at absorbing and storing carbon than plantations dominated by just a few tree species. Natural forests showed higher stability of carbon capture across years, particularly in dry conditions.
Researchers have created a novel method for producing non-toxic chemicals using microorganisms, which can be scaled up for industrial use. The technique, developed at Imperial College London, mimics the way organisms naturally produce toxic chemicals without harming themselves.
The study estimated nitrogen deposition in northern China using a combination of remote sensing data and atmospheric chemical transport model simulations, revealing an average flux of 54.5 kg N per hectare. This represents 10% of the annual nitrogen application for winter wheat-summer maize rotation in the region.
A new study found that shutting down coal-fired plants in the US reduces nearby pollution, saving an estimated 26,610 lives between 2005 and 2016. The transition from coal to natural gas also improves crop yields, with a loss of 10.2 billion bushels of crops avoided.
A team of scientists has discovered new details about a type of thin film being explored for advanced microelectronics. The research reveals that the material's local static properties remain intact when transferred from one substrate to another, making it promising for future complex oxide microelectronics.
Researchers have found that wildlife populations are abundant in areas void of human life near the Fukushima nuclear accident zone. Over 20 species were documented, including wild boar and Japanese macaques, in zones with varying levels of radiation contamination.
Researchers from the University of Jyväskylæ have discovered that moving domain walls in superconducting devices generate voltage, causing losses. This finding has significant implications for magnetic racetrack memory applications, which require low current resistance.
Researchers at UC Riverside have developed a technique to detect oxygen in exoplanet atmospheres, which may indicate the presence of life. The method uses NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to identify a strong signal produced by oxygen molecules when they collide.
New research from the University of Illinois has discovered genes controlling mycorrhizal colonization in soybeans. The study found that different soybean genotypes have varying levels of root colonization by a common mycorrhizal fungus.
A UCLA-led study identified neuropeptide Y as a clear predictor of death in patients with stable heart failure. Patients with higher levels are 10 times more likely to die within one to three years.
Researchers developed a mechanoluminescent material that can visualize pressure application locations for up to three days. The material uses defects in its structure to store energy, which is released as light when pressure is applied or infrared radiation is used.