A rapid review found extensive evidence of an association between loneliness and increased risk of mental health problems for children and young people. Loneliness is associated with both depression and anxiety, with some studies suggesting a three-fold increase in depression among lonely youth.
Researchers at WPI and Virginia Tech are developing a smartphone app with technology to protect user personal information and identity. The app will use GPS, Wifi, and Bluetooth to track users' locations and close encounters.
Astronomers have found distant galaxies with supermassive black holes that launched powerful radio-emitting jets within the past two decades. The study used data from the VLA Sky Survey and compared it with earlier surveys to identify these new jets.
A new study predicts climate change will lead to more extreme wildfires and multi-year droughts in Nevada and California. Warmer temperatures will cause faster drying of soil moisture and vegetation, increasing fire danger and severity.
Researchers reported two cases of ophthalmic clinical examination findings in COVID-19 patients undergoing prolonged prone positioning. The study emphasizes the need for eye protection in these critically ill patients to prevent potential eye injuries.
A team of scientists at Children's Hospital Los Angeles conducted the largest pediatric genomic COVID-19 study to date, finding a possible link between specific viral mutations and disease severity. The study analyzed over 100,000 samples and identified a potential correlation between certain mutations and severe symptoms in children.
Experts advocate for a new framework that embeds social factors, is guided by antiracist principles and considers contextual factors like race and ethnicity. The goal is to move beyond biological explanations and address structural racism and other societal issues.
International experts will discuss COVID-19's effects on the human body when combined with other health conditions, such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. The panel aims to provide advice on coping with multimorbidity in high-income countries.
After being wiped out by whaling, blue whales have made a comeback to South Georgia, with 58 sightings reported in a 2020 survey and numerous acoustic detections. The discovery is key evidence in learning how the species is recovering following a ban on commercial whaling.
A study led by Edith Cowan University discovered that swamp wallabies are effective at dispersing truffle spores across the environment. The animals can move hundreds of metres from the original truffle source before spores appear in their poo, making them a key factor in forest survival.
A team of researchers has discovered a drug-like compound that blocks the CD14 inflammatory protein, reducing inflammation and preventing cytokine storms in laboratory tests. The compound's potential as a new treatment for inflammatory diseases, including COVID-19, is being explored in pre-clinical trials.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens found that hundreds of influenza introductions within a city drove the seasonal flu season. Transmission dynamics were linked to temperature, with elderly individuals primarily infected within their own networks, while school-aged children played a central role in spreading the virus.
Researchers at TU Wien discovered a new type of electron emission in carbon materials like graphite, where electrons are emitted with a precise energy of 3.7 eV. The symmetry-breaking electrons cause the material to emit electrons with the properties of two different states simultaneously.
Researchers have developed two new materials that enhance the capabilities of electronic 'touch,' allowing for more realistic simulations of human skin. These advances enable the creation of wearable healthcare sensors, prosthetics, and artificial skin for robots, with applications in grasping objects without disrupting natural touch.
A pilot study found that consuming Ataulfo mangoes four times a week reduced deep wrinkles by 23% in postmenopausal women after two months. However, eating more than half a cup per serving may increase wrinkles due to high sugar content.
A new study found that climate warming increases infectious disease risk in cooler-climate species, while reducing the risk for species from warmer climates. Small-bodied pathogens have a greater tolerance to temperature fluctuations than larger hosts.
Scientists from the US Army and MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms created a new way to link materials with unique mechanical properties, enabling the design of modular materials with tailored properties. This could lead to dynamic structures that can reconfigure on their own, such as swarms of robots forming bridges.
A study published in Health Affairs highlights the crucial role of infrastructure in ensuring COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness, alongside public willingness to be immunized. Greater investment is needed to produce and distribute vaccines efficiently and promote trust in vaccination.
The Hormones: The Inside Story podcast series explores the facts behind hormones and their impact on daily life, sleep, stress, body fat, fertility, and more. It cuts through myths and misinformation with expert-led science, empowering listeners to make informed decisions about their health.
Women with frozen eggs and ovarian tissue had more children after breast cancer diagnosis compared to those without fertility preservation. The study highlights the importance of reproductive counseling for young breast cancer patients.
A build-up of cellular trash in the brain can cause neurodegeneration and death. Researchers found that Wipi3, a protein involved in alternative autophagy, is essential for preventing toxic iron accumulation.
Monarch caterpillars become aggressive when faced with limited milkweed, displaying behavior similar to boxing and bumper cars. A lack of nutrition during larval stages delays development and reduces adult body size and lifespan.
A Brazilian company developed a plastic film that eliminates 79.9% of SARS-CoV-2 particles in three minutes and 99.99% in up to 15 minutes, making it a promising material for food packaging protection against the novel coronavirus. The film contains silver and silica nanoparticles and has been successfully tested in laboratory settings.
A medical case series presents three teenagers with unexplained breathing problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting similarities between vaping-related lung injury and COVID-19 symptoms. The study emphasizes the importance of considering EVALI in pediatric patients with respiratory failure and recommends vaping cessation coun...
A neural network has been developed to estimate uncertainty, allowing for safer outcomes in AI-assisted decision-making. The 'deep evidential regression' approach accelerates uncertainty estimation, enabling faster and more accurate confidence levels, reducing the risk of errors.
Researchers found significant differences in gut microbiome and metabolite profiles between COPD patients and healthy individuals. The study suggests that stool sampling could be used to non-invasively diagnose and monitor for COPD.
The team used fluorescent pH-sensor foils to visualize changes in local pH during electrolysis, observing a clockwise motion of the electrolyte and fluctuations in density due to electrochemical reactions. They developed a multiphysics model to simulate natural convection in electrochemical cells with various electrolytes.
A new paper by Michael Milona explores the virtues of hope and optimism, examining findings on their effects in education, faith, healthcare, politics, and more. The study reveals that while both traits can motivate and improve health, they can also be detrimental if not balanced with reality awareness.
A team of experts recommends five principles to ensure equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution, including diverse participation in clinical trials and transparent data review. The plan aims to prioritize vulnerable populations and overcome financial barriers to vaccination.
A study from the University of Illinois found that college students have significantly lower rates of food insecurity than non-students and the general population, with 9.9% of full-time students facing insecurity. The gap is largest for young adults, with part-time students showing similar rates to non-students.
African crested rats sequester plant toxins for chemical defense and form small family units, suggesting a monogamous lifestyle. The study provides insights into their social behavior and conservation implications.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that children born via cesarean section have a higher risk of infection-related hospitalization up to five years of age. Researchers analyzed data from over 7 million children and observed a 10% greater risk of infection among cesarean-born children.
A team of researchers has created a comprehensive map of bee species globally, identifying more species in the Northern Hemisphere and arid environments. The study also reveals a bimodal latitudinal gradient pattern, where diversity increases towards the tropics and decreases towards the poles.
Achromatium oxaliferum is a highly adaptable bacterium that thrives in diverse environments, including hot springs and ice-cold water. Its unique gene expression mechanism allows it to 'archive' unused genes, enabling rapid adaptation to changing conditions.
A novel bypass route for coronary vessels in the heart has been discovered using the VEGF-B growth factor, which can stimulate new blood vessel growth in damaged areas. This finding opens up possibilities for treating myocardial infarction by re-activating embryonic vessel growth programs.
Research found Afro-Caribbean patients with end stage kidney disease have a four-fold increased risk of being hospitalized with COVID-19 compared to other ethnicities. The study also showed that patients with ESKD are vulnerable to severe COVID-19 infection and require integrated multidisciplinary care.
A new study by UCF researchers found that people with congested noses and full sets of teeth are more likely to spread viruses like COVID-19. The study used computer-generated models to simulate sneezes in different types of people, finding that these features can increase the distance droplets travel and linger in the air.
African elephants in Tanzania show limited gene flow between protected areas, highlighting the importance of preserving wildlife corridors for conservation. The study found that some areas, like Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, were once connected but now have limited genetic exchange.
A mutation in the CLCN6 gene has been identified as a cause of a novel, severe neurodegenerative disease affecting three unrelated children. The condition is characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, and progressive brain atrophy.
A newly published Science journal paper reveals that water can exist as two liquids of differing density, with noticeably different properties and a 20% difference in density. The discovery explains many of water's anomalous properties and has significant implications for various scientific and engineering applications.
The study analyzed a microarray dataset to identify differentially expressed genes in dilated cardiomyopathy, revealing 172 genes involved in various biological processes. The authors identified hub protein modules and key genes, including DLD and UQCRC2, which suggest potential therapeutic targets for the disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended against using remdesivir for treating COVID-19 patients in hospitals, regardless of their severity. The guideline is based on a review of four international trials involving over 7,000 patients and found no meaningful effect on mortality or ventilation needs
Researchers have developed a virtual-reality method that measures susceptibility to psychogenic stressors by analyzing heart rate variability and locomotion data. The study's findings offer a standardized tool for measuring vulnerability to stressors based on objective markers, paving the way for early interventions.
A new study suggests that Texas's Research Incentive Program has increased private donations to eligible public universities by 37.2% annually. The program has also led to a $14 million increase in state funding for grants and contracts, but does not appear to have significantly impacted long-term endowment assets.
Researchers develop AI algorithms to optimize flight networks for resilience against storms, reducing delays and improving safety. The project aims to create a flight planning software that can automatically react to storms and recover the system.
Standard Oil's grip on the Scandinavian oil market weakened due to competing companies, leading to a court decision in the USA that dissolved the company into 34 smaller entities. Despite this, Standard Oil's successors remained significant players in Scandinavia until the 1930s.
Researchers from Politecnico di Milano identified EBSELEN as a potent inhibitor of Mpro protein in SARS-CoV-2, which blocks virus replication. The study elucidates key aspects of the binding mechanism, highlighting selenium's role in inhibiting viral replication.
A new model of CF lungs using pig lungs and synthetic mucus shows that S. aureus aggregates in mucus, rather than invading lung tissue, sparking debate over antibiotic treatment. This discovery could lead to reduced use of antibiotics and improved treatment for MRSA infection in cystic fibrosis patients.
The US National Science Foundation will decommission the 305-meter telescope at Arecibo Observatory due to catastrophic failure and long-term stability issues. The observatory's staff and visitors' safety is the top priority, and other parts of the facility will be preserved for future research.
Indiana University researchers will investigate the dynamic between social cognition, social networks and cognitive ability to slow down Alzheimer's progression. The study aims to determine causality and explore how much of the cognitive decline depends on social cognitive function or general cognitive function.
A new study using AI and satellite technologies has produced the most detailed coverage of air pollution in Britain to date, revealing the South-East as the most polluted region. The research also shows an overall decline in air pollution in Great Britain over the last decade, with hotspots identified in urban and industrial areas.
A research team is working on developing new tools to guide the discovery and optimization of new antibacterial agents, addressing the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance.
A new study of Canadians aged 45-85 found that 24% of refugees were in psychological distress compared to 13% of non-refugee immigrants and those born in Canada. The researchers believe pre-migration traumas, lack of social support, and chronic health conditions are contributing factors.
An international team led by The University of Western Australia has been shortlisted for the prestigious Gordon Bell Prize for outstanding achievement in high-performance computing. The team developed data pipelines for the future Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope and achieved record-breaking performance on the Summit supercomputer.
Subcutaneous S-ICD therapy is explored as an option for patients with congenital heart disease and high risk of sudden cardiac death. A case study reports successful S-ICD implantation in a patient with ccTGA and DDD pacemaker, without interference between systems.
Weizmann Institute of Science researchers create framework to map smells based on molecular structure, enabling prediction of scent similarity. The system, developed by neurobiologists, computer scientists, and a master perfumer, can digitize and reproduce smells on command.
A recent synthesis study has found that phytoplankton can bloom under Arctic sea ice, contrary to long-held assumptions. This discovery suggests that phytoplankton production in some regions of the Arctic Ocean may be an order of magnitude greater than previously predicted.
Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute discovered that chromatin remodeling machines have a motor-like component that drives the machine along DNA, disrupting nucleosome beads. The team found cancer-causing mutations in an area of the hub regulating motor activity, leading to improper gene expression and cancer.
A study analyzing peat layers in Pawski Lug, Poland found that the transition from tribal to feudal living had a significant impact on the local ecosystem. The shift from small-scale forest burning to large-scale deforestation led to changes in plant composition and groundwater levels.
A new NYUAD study found that opposite-gender mentorships increase the impact of female scientists' research, while same-gender mentorships can reduce it. The study examined thousands of mentor-protégé relationships and found a significant association between increasing female mentors and reducing their protégés' post-mentorship impact.