A Baylor College of Medicine team found nickel toxicity as the underlying cause of the devastating epidemic of Mesoamerican Nephropathy (MeN) in Nicaraguan coastal communities. The study revealed low-dose exposure to nickel causes systemic inflammation, anemia, and kidney injury, progressing to chronic kidney disease in 90% of patients.
Researchers used genetic analysis and satellite data to identify coral populations better equipped to withstand rising temperatures. The study found correlations between prolonged exposure to high heat stress and climate-adaptive traits, supporting hypotheses of connectivity and adaptation.
Astronomers used the VLA to study how a crowded environment affects galaxies in the Perseus Cluster. The research reveals complex filamentary structures in radio lobes and bending of jets due to motion through intergalactic material, providing new insights into galaxy clusters.
A clinical trial is planned to evaluate personalized drug screens for medulloblastoma, a deadly form of pediatric brain cancer. The approach uses tumor cells from biopsies and has been shown to identify effective therapies that cannot be predicted using other methods.
A new environmentally friendly method for restoring spent cathodes to mint condition could make it more economical to recycle lithium-ion batteries. Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a process that uses inexpensive and benign chemicals, consumes 80-90% less energy, and emits 75% less greenhouse gases.
A new machine learning algorithm has been developed to isolate patterns in brain signals that relate to specific behaviors, enabling the decoding of these behaviors. The algorithm was tested on standard brain datasets and showed significant improvement over standard algorithms in predicting movement kinematics.
Researchers analyzed ABR tests of nearly 140,000 newborns in Florida and found slower brain responses to sounds in those later diagnosed with autism. The study presents a promising direction in using ABR testing as a method for precise autism detection at birth.
In a new study published in Science, UCL scientists have recreated how cysteine was formed at the origins of life, delivering vital catalysts that enabled the earliest protein molecules to form. The researchers observed how once-formed cysteine catalyses the fusion of peptides in water, a fundamental step towards protein enzymes.
Researchers discovered a large amount of water in the upper atmosphere of Mars, rapidly destroyed by ions, explaining part of the planet's mysterious dryness. This process contradicts the classical picture of water escape from Mars, suggesting it is incomplete and influenced by seasonal and dust storms.
Researchers at UW Medicine created two cell atlases that map gene expression and chromatin accessibility in human development, providing unprecedented data for understanding cell differentiation. The atlases identify 77 main cell types and approximately 650 cell subtypes, shedding light on the regulatory 'grammar' of the cell.
The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened food insecurity in the United States, particularly in lower-wage jobs and service industry areas. According to a report by Craig Gundersen, over 50 million Americans will be food insecure in 2020, with regional differences existing across the country.
A randomized trial found fluvoxamine significantly reduces the risk of worsening symptoms like pneumonia and oxygen desaturation in adult outpatients with mild COVID-19. The study also suggests fluvoxamine's potential as a treatment for COVID-19, offering hope for improved patient outcomes.
A new prediction algorithm called DORGE has identified novel tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes by integrating comprehensive genetic and epigenetic data. The study found that the algorithm successfully predicted both known and novel cancer driver genes, including dual-functional genes involved in protein-protein interaction networks.
This special issue explores innovative cooling solutions to combat rising temperatures, including radiative cooling materials and novel textiles that help keep people cool. The article discusses advancements in data center cooling and the development of more environmentally friendly refrigerants.
A new study recommends reducing soccer players' head injury risk by inflating balls to lower pressures and subbing them out when wet. Inflating balls to pressures on the lower end of NCAA and FIFA ranges could reduce forces associated with potential head injury by about 20%.
The University of Helsinki is leading a €1.2 million project to develop next-generation miniaturised hyperspectral imagers for autonomous Earth and planetary observation. The project aims to reduce the costs of space operations by combining compact sensors, advanced algorithms, and CubeSat platforms.
A new SARS-CoV-2 mutation, D614G, makes the virus more transmissible but not necessarily more severe, according to a recent study published in Science. The mutated strain replicates faster and is more infectious, but its effectiveness against vaccines remains unknown.
Researchers identify factors that enable or inhibit marketing agility at different hierarchical levels, including technology, organization structure, and employee traits. Marketing agility can be beneficial for some firms and marketing actions, but its impact is nuanced and context-dependent.
The EU's climate-neutral goal may be undermined by high imports of agricultural products from countries with lax environmental standards. The study recommends harmonizing sustainability standards and reducing fertilizer and pesticide use to achieve global sustainability.
Researchers engineered a SARS-CoV-2 variant with the D614G substitution to compare its characteristics against the ancestral form in human cells and animal models. The results suggest that the variant does not significantly enhance pathogenicity but may increase transmissibility.
A new algorithm helps track fast charged particles in plasma, which could influence fusion reactions. The algorithm conserves energy during pitch-angle scattering, a critical process in fusion plasma.
Researchers from Bar-Ilan University demonstrate the application of physical concepts in physics to solve key challenges in artificial intelligence. By adopting power-law scaling, they show that learning each example once is equivalent to learning examples repeatedly, enabling rapid decision-making and ultrafast learning.
A team of researchers has discovered more about the grain-scale fluid connectivity beneath the earth's surface, shedding new light on fluid circulation and seismic velocity anomalies in subduction zones. The study found that fluids with minor components, such as CO2 and NaCl, can have a significant impact on the dihedral angle between ...
A UVA-led study found significant brain changes in military and law enforcement personnel exposed to low-level blasts, including increased brain injury and inflammation. The study also found differences in blood flow, brain structure, and brain activity.
UC San Diego's integration of student medical records with its electronic health record platform improved care coordination, access to vital medical information, and resources. The system enabled same-day video visits, rapid turnaround of radiology results, and accessible COVID-19 testing.
A study examines SARS-CoV-2 RNA test results in patients who recovered from COVID-19 with prior negative results. Researchers found that some patients tested positive for the virus after recovery, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and testing.
Research found that people of Black ethnicity are twice as likely to contract COVID-19 as those of White ethnicity, while those from Asian backgrounds face a 1.5 times higher risk. The study also highlights increased risks of hospitalization and death for these groups.
A massive international study of bird genomes has revealed new details on genomic diversity and evolution. The Bird 10,000 Genome Project has sequenced genomic resources for 363 bird species, including 267 new genomes, which have improved resolution on genomic evolution analyses.
A team led by George Mason University's Bijan Jabbari is developing a dynamic, high-performance programmable Cyber-Infrastructure testbed connecting US research communities with European partners. The testbed will enable virtualization of resources to facilitate global science applications in high-energy physics, deep-space communicati...
A new Vanderbilt-designed prediction model can identify infants at high risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) after opioid exposure, allowing for early discharge and potentially reducing hospital costs. The tool uses several factors, including gestational age, type of opioids, and other drugs, to estimate the risk of NAS.
Researchers at Kumamoto University developed a new electrochemical system to measure antioxidant capacity in food, eliminating complex separation and extraction steps. This system allows for easy analysis of fat-soluble antioxidants in colorful or cloudy samples without extensive equipment or special treatment.
Scientists at the University of São Paulo have developed a method to generate intense beams of light with quantum correlations, which can be used for high-precision metrology and information encoding. The new technology has potential applications in fields such as gravity wave detection and secure communication.
A study estimates that potential years of life lost among US primary school-age children associated with school closures during the pandemic. The decision analytical model forecasts significant health consequences, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and support.
Two Stanford engineers developed a technique to disinfect personal protective equipment (PPE) with ultraviolet light, eliminating 99.9999% of pathogens in under five minutes. They designed and donated a method for healthcare providers worldwide to build PPE sterilization units, helping launch do-it-yourself efforts in over 25 countries.
A retrospective study of over 2,800 children with Type 1 diabetes reveals racial disparities in treatment modalities, clinical outcomes, and appointment attendance. Non-Hispanic Black children are more likely to have poor glycemic control and reduced long-term complications due to inadequate technology use.
A new disaster database, DesignSafe, is changing how planners prepare for and respond to natural disasters. The database features over 293 published data sets, including insights on earthquake impact, hurricane damage, and more.
A recent study conducted by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that older adults who joined group exercise classes experienced decreased loneliness and social isolation. The study tracked 382 participants and found a 6.9% decrease in loneliness and a 3.3% improvement in social connectedness.
Researchers created a cost-efficient method to synthesize eco-friendly 'pseudo' gemini surfactants with comparable performance to existing compounds. The new surfactants have desirable properties, such as low superficial tension and biodegradability, making them suitable for various industries like skincare, medicine, and construction.
Scientists create one-dimensional array of individual molecules and precisely control its electronic structure. By manipulating individual molecules, they can create alternating charge patterns, allowing for information transfer in tiny circuits.
A new model predicts the risk of severe side effects in cancer patients during chemotherapy by analyzing genetic signatures. The study identified a network of genes linked to bone marrow toxicity and developed a classification system to predict patient risk.
Researchers have successfully installed part of the C4 photosynthetic pathway in rice, paving the way for more efficient and water-use-friendly crop varieties. The breakthrough could increase photosynthesis efficiency by 50% and improve nitrogen use efficiency.
A new device created by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin can overcome challenges like bad weather to deliver more secure, reliable communications. The chip operates in mid infrared light spectrum, allowing signal to penetrate through clouds, rain and other weather conditions without significant loss.
Researchers used a state-of-the-art atomic clock to narrow the search for elusive dark matter, setting new limits on ultralight dark matter's coupling strength. The study established constraints on the floor of normal fluctuations, providing sensitivity to cosmological models of dark matter and accepted physics theories.
Researchers at Cornell University have created a stretchable 'skin' sensor that detects deformations and allows soft robotic systems to feel pressure, bending, and strain. This technology has the potential to revolutionize physical therapy and sports medicine by enabling machines to measure force interactions.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have discovered a possible 1,000-kilometer-long river running deep beneath Greenland's ice sheet. The study suggests that if the valley is open and melting increases, water could flow freely through it, potentially altering future climate change predictions.
A PSU study found that teacher value-added scores change with students' test score gains and schools' socioeconomic status. This challenges the idea that a teacher's score should remain constant regardless of their school or student population.
The University of Connecticut has licensed its groundbreaking continuous manufacturing technology for pharmaceutical nanoparticles to DIANT Pharma Inc. This technology offers several advantages over conventional batch manufacturing approaches, including highly controlled particle size, high-throughput production, and a smaller footprin...
UCLA bioengineers and mathematicians invent stable, armored emulsions that stay intact following mixing. These 'tiny test tubes' enable repeatable chemical reactions, speeding up the discovery of new drugs and health diagnostics.
Researchers discovered a previously unknown way that pancreatic cells decide how much insulin to secrete, pointing to an overlooked enzyme known as pyruvate kinase. Stimulating pyruvate kinase not only increases the secretion of insulin but also has other metabolically protective effects in the liver, muscle and red blood cells.
A panel of experts calls for a more dynamic and flexible approach to emergency preparedness, addressing supply chain issues and bureaucratic coordination. The proposed framework emphasizes flexibility, inventory visibility, equity, and a permanent coordinating team.
Physicists have long wondered if crystals can form in time instead of space. Now, researchers have successfully created a time crystal in a high-temperature superconductor by applying a laser. This breakthrough establishes a new state of matter and opens up new possibilities for designing quantum materials on demand.
A study in Malawi reveals that financial support for households and cooperation with local authorities are crucial for successful Covid-19 restrictions. Survey respondents found that social distancing measures were more compliant due to lower individual costs.
Researchers found a correlation between household chemicals and reduced bacterial diversity in children's guts. The study suggests that exposure to semi-volatile organic compounds may impact human health, with potential implications for probiotic interventions.
A new study suggests that colleges should offer introductory, multidisciplinary courses with few prerequisites to teach fundamental concepts in quantum information science and technology. This will allow students across disciplines to learn the core concepts together, preparing them for a growing industry with applications in various f...
A German study confirms rats can transmit hantavirus to humans, with a young patient infected after contact with her pet rat. The virus, commonly found in Asia, poses severe disease risks and highlights the need for caution when keeping rats.
Oregon State University researchers have made a key advance in printing circuitry on wearable fabrics using inkjet printing and perovskite materials. The breakthrough enables the direct application of circuitry onto cloth at lower processing temperatures, potentially solving the trade-off between performance and fabrication costs.
A new study suggests that men feel less powerful in their private lives compared to public lives. The research, conducted by Lund University and others, found that both men and women value private life over public life, with women perceiving themselves as having more power in this area.
A study found that both temperate and tropical birds can tolerate high temperatures, with some species, such as doves and pigeons, exceeding heat limits, providing a buffer against climate warming. However, caution is needed as indirect effects on resources and forest structure may impact bird populations.
Researchers at Duke University have discovered that astrocytes play a crucial role in governing connections between neurons. The star-shaped cells form the glue-like framework of the brain and regulate inhibitory synapses by binding to neurons through an adhesion molecule called NrCAM.
A multi-center US trial shows that exoskeleton training is safe, feasible, and effective in improving mobility in individuals with spinal cord injury. The study found that most participants mastered the ability to ambulate effectively with the assistance of an exoskeleton after 12-36 sessions.