Engineers at the University of Bath have demonstrated the potential of soil microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) to purify water in field tests in North-East Brazil. SMFCs can generate energy from microorganisms naturally present in soil, which are able to transfer electrons outside their cells.
Scientists have discovered a novel mechanism to increase arterial diameter by selectively increasing endothelial cell size, allowing for rapid increases in blood flow. This approach has significant advantages over conventional angiogenesis methods, enabling faster restoration of blood flow and oxygen delivery.
Research in rural South Africa identifies socio-economic factors as key drivers of overweight and obesity among mothers. The study found that decision-making authority, income level, and family size significantly affect women's health, highlighting the need for evidence-based policies to tackle the region's obesity epidemic.
Researchers at Nagoya University have directly observed the spatial distribution of a single valence electron in titanium oxide, revealing a butterfly-shaped distribution. The new Fourier synthesis method, called core differential Fourier synthesis (CDFS), can determine orbital states in materials regardless of their physical properties.
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that nearly 17% of patients who have recovered from COVID-19 can still test positive for the virus. Patients with persistent respiratory symptoms, such as sore throat and rhinitis, were more likely to test positive.
Mantis shrimps surveyed burrows before evicting rivals, with the ideal burrow size found to be a balance between being large enough to fit into and small enough to block entry. The species, known for their powerful strikes, compromise on burrow size when faced with occupied homes.
The National Human Genome Research Institute has published its 2020 Strategic Vision, which describes cutting-edge research priorities and opportunities in human genomics. The vision identifies four focus areas: guiding principles, sustaining and improving genomic research, breaking down barriers, and compelling biomedicine projects.
Scientists at the Swiss Nanoscience Institute create miniature polymeric reaction containers, mimicking cellular compartments to study enzymatic reactions. The 'cell on a chip' technology provides precise control over enzyme combinations and transport, facilitating research into metabolic diseases and drug reactions.
Researchers developed a fully implantable wireless medical device that enables patients with severe paralysis to control computers, smartphones, and other devices without open brain surgery. The Stentrode brain-computer interface restored freedoms for individuals with disabilities, such as texting, emailing, shopping online, and banking.
Aerobic exercise promotes muscle regeneration by altering the metabolism of satellite cells, allowing them to recover from injury. The study found that satellite cells consume less oxygen, enabling them to regenerate tissue more efficiently.
Studies identified genetic variants associated with COVID-19 severity, including a locus on chromosome 3 and novel genes. Researchers also explored therapeutic strategies and transmission dynamics of the virus.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a deep learning model to predict the binding sites of known protease inhibitors targeting the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. The model can help drug developers prioritize promising candidates and save time and money in the early stages of drug development.
The study provides a genetic road map for researchers to optimize Miscanthus sinensis's desirable traits, including its high tolerance for drought and cool temperatures. The genomic analysis reveals new regulators of perenniality, a trait important for biofuel crops.
Scientists have created extremely stable fluorescent molecular switches that can be controlled electrochemically, using a particular redox active anion. These systems show large reversible fluorescence modulation and are soluble in many organic solvents, making them suitable for applications in biosensing, imaging, and drug delivery.
Researchers developed SoundWatch, a smartwatch app for deaf, Deaf, and hard-of-hearing people to receive sound alerts from various sources. The app uses machine learning to identify and classify common home-related sounds, enhancing users' experiences and connection to the world.
Jifeng Liu, a professor at Dartmouth's Thayer School of Engineering, has been named an OSA fellow for his work on renewable energy and reducing energy consumption in information technology. His research focuses on advancing solar technologies that are less expensive and more efficient.
This issue of Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B features three original research articles exploring novel mechanisms and treatments for various diseases, including cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, anti-atherosclerosis, and breast cancer. The articles discuss the potential benefits of IL-4 supplementation, berberine's gut-absorption-enha...
The study demonstrated a paradigm shift in treating AML, proving that genetic information matching leads to better survival rates than traditional one-size-fits-all treatment. Patients who opted for precision medicine experienced lower early death rates and superior overall survival compared to those receiving standard of care.
Researchers developed artificial soil mixtures that mimic materials found on Mars, evaluating their fertility and potential for plant growth. The study found that Martian soils may be challenging to use due to textures and nutrient availability, but also identified potential solutions using Earth-based agricultural science.
Researchers have mapped the molecular structure of a potent COVID-19 antibody, CV30, which neutralizes the virus by interfering with its surface spikes and inducing critical pieces to break off. The antibody's unique shape allows it to overlap with the virus's target site on human cells, blunting its ability to infect.
The study found that repetitive cycles of wet-dry conditions led to progressive evolution of polymer compartments, affecting molecule exchange and composition. This research sheds light on prebiotic Earth and has implications for designing electronics and drug delivery systems.
Scientists have discovered a new RNA-centric mechanism that regulates the creation of a crucial cancer microRNA. The findings reveal that environmental stimuli can activate a 'hidden' layer of regulation, enhancing the efficiency of miR-21 processing and potentially leading to disease.
Researchers at UCI and CHUV/UNIL have developed a new cancer treatment that uses ultra-high dose rate radiation therapy to eliminate brain tumors without causing significant side effects. This breakthrough technique, known as FLASH-RT, has shown promising results in mice and has the potential to be used for a range of cancer types.
Researchers discovered specific metabolites that can distinguish COVID-19 patients from healthy participants and predict disease severity. Dietary supplements targeting these metabolites may also boost biochemical pathways, leading to improved health outcomes.
Research found a significant drop in death rates among severe COVID-19 patients in English hospitals between March and June. Death rates declined by half for both high dependency unit and intensive care admissions during this period.
Scientists have solved the Casimir puzzle by accounting for energy losses of conduction electrons in metals, leading to agreement between theory and high-precision measurements. The new approach takes into account both real and virtual fluctuations, enabling reliable calculation and creation of miniature nanodevices.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that individuals with autism spectrum disorder show reduced flexible behavior due to less optimal learning. The research used a developmental approach and examined flexible behavior on a probabilistic reversal learning task in children, adolescents, and adults with ASD.
Researchers studying COVID-19's impact on US college students aim to understand how the pandemic has disrupted their personal, educational, and economic plans. The study will examine decision-making styles, values orientation, and substance use/mental health patterns.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba developed an infrared-transmitting polymer that retains its shape after stretching and can be used to fabricate lenses with variable-focus properties. The polymer is based on low-cost, sustainable materials and was found to transmit 10% of incoming infrared light.
A new technique has found extremely high stiffness in tiny regions of aggressive breast cancer tumors, suggesting only a few areas need to stiffen for metastasis to occur. This could lead to improved cancer detection and mapping.
New research extends Florida's hurricane record thousands of years back in time, hinting at a surprise finding. The study found that the state's Gulf Coast is hit by more intense hurricanes than its East Coast, with ancient tempest deposits suggesting this pattern may extend thousands of years back.
Researchers identified genes associated with decreased placental invasion and increased chemokine production in babies born with microcephaly. This finding provides insight into why only some babies exposed to Zika virus during pregnancy develop anomalies.
Researchers have developed a simple, environmentally friendly process to produce well-defined linear and star-shaped polymers with ultrahigh molecular weights from nonconjugated monomers. The photoenzymatic RAFT polymerization method offers outstanding control over composition, molecular weight, and architecture.
A new study found that coronaviruses use mimicry to trick human immune proteins, including those controlling blood coagulation and complement activation, which may drive pathology in infected patients. The researchers discovered over 150 protein mimics used by coronaviruses, including many involved in severe COVID-19 disease.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have uncovered a potential new strategy for treating eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. A fragment of the protein CITED2 has been shown to reduce neovascularization while preserving healthy blood vessels in mouse models.
A recent study published in JAMA Surgery found that low muscle mass and quality are linked to greater post-operative complications, hospitalization, and mortality in patients with colon cancer following colon resection surgery. The researchers followed 1,630 patients and used preoperative CT scans to analyze body composition.
A study found that consuming omega-3 fatty acids from both animal and vegetable sources strengthens the heart's membranes, improving prognosis in patients after a heart attack. High levels of these fats at admission were associated with lower risks of complications and mortality.
A study led by UC Riverside found that 55% of respondents with advanced MS experienced some form of mistreatment, including emotional abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, battering, and sexual assault. The researchers identified risk factors such as primary caregiving responsibilities and lower levels of social support.
Researchers from Sweden and Germany have found that female influence butterfly color diversity by mating with colorful males. The study suggests that Darwin's model of sexual selection explains the patterns better than Wallace's model, resolving a long-standing argument.
Research on three endangered tree species in Guam reveals that their decomposition releases nitrogen and carbon into the soil, improving forest ecosystem health. The findings highlight the importance of biodiversity and symbiotic relationships between plants and microorganisms in nutrient cycling.
Langerhans cells play a crucial role in preventing acute graft-versus-host disease by inducing the death of immune cells. Researchers at University of Tsukuba found that enhancing B7 protein expression on Langerhans cells could prevent aGVHD development, leading to improved treatments and patient quality of life.
The causal agent of cucurbit downy mildew, Pseudoperonospora cubensis, has two genetically distinct host-adapted clades, with Clade 1 infecting squash, pumpkin, and watermelon, and Clade 2 impacting cucumber and cantaloupe. Wild cucurbits serve as reservoirs for the pathogen.
The study found that titanate nanotubes (TNTs) composites exhibit superior photocatalytic performance in generating hydrogen from formic acid, outperforming titanium dioxide (TiO2). The high surface area of TNTs enables improved adsorption and interaction with platinum, leading to enhanced selectivity and efficiency.
A research team from the University of Córdoba has developed a method to calculate tree water consumption, allowing for optimized irrigation systems. This innovation enables farmers to determine if their trees are consuming water at optimal levels or experiencing stress, enabling targeted watering and maximizing production.
Scientists have discovered that ionization energy is more crucial than electron affinity in determining the efficiency of organic solar cells. This finding allows for precise design rules to be derived, aiming to maximize solar cell efficiency and potentially leading to transparent solar cells with high efficiency.
A proof-of-concept study shows cerebrospinal fluid as a liquid biopsy for precise characterization and real-time tracking of medulloblastoma. Circulating tumor DNA analysis provides genomic insights into disease evolution, enabling more effective treatment strategies.
A new 'fast' MRI test has been shown to detect breast cancers that 3-D mammograms may miss in women with dense breasts. The test, which is an abbreviated version of traditional breast MRI, detected 27 cancers per 1,000 women screened.
A recent study by The Endocrine Society found that over 80% of COVID-19 patients had vitamin D deficiency, with men having lower levels than women. Patients with low vitamin D levels also showed increased inflammatory markers.
A large observational study found that regular consumption of omega-3s EPA and ALA can decrease the risk of death three years after a STEMI, with both types providing unique protective qualities. Walnuts were also shown to have significant benefits due to their high content of alpha-linolenic acid.
Researchers stress the need for standardised methods to assess COVID-19 vaccine efficacy, highlighting challenges in determining severe disease protection and the importance of long-term follow-up. Controlled human infection studies may offer rapid assessment but predictability for older adults remains unclear.
Researchers from ETH Zurich and colleagues reconstructed the Paleocene and Eocene climates using siderite minerals, finding high humidity and heat transport. This suggests today's global warming is linked to increased moisture and heat transport in the atmosphere.
Researchers at ORNL used neutron scattering to create a three-dimensional map of the SARS-CoV-2 enzyme molecule critical to virus reproduction. The study reveals the location of every atom in the protease enzyme, enabling the design of more specific and effective drug inhibitors.
A new study from Cornell University confirms that most birds synchronize their migrations with seasonal vegetation changes, but carnivores and insect-eaters show weaker ties. Climate change threatens these patterns as vegetation cues become less reliable.
Researchers found that females can clear asymptomatic malaria infections at a faster rate than males, which could inform epidemiologists and public health strategies. The study, published in eLife, suggests biological sex-based differences play a crucial role in the human response to malaria parasites.
Scientists have identified a subgroup of stem cells that retains regenerative capacity well beyond geriatric age, suggesting new avenues for improving muscle health in elderly individuals. The discovery provides insight into the FoxO signalling pathway and its role in maintaining youthful gene expression.
Researchers have designed a cloud-based autonomous system framework utilizing the standard messaging protocol for IoT. This framework maximizes network coverage area and increases speed of communication between unmanned sensors. The team plans to add computer vision and machine learning capabilities in future developments.
A new study explores long-term if-then-scenarios to quantify the effects of Arctic summer sea-ice melting on global warming. The research reveals that complete Arctic sea-ice melt could lead to an additional 0.2°C of warming, threatening climate goals.
Acute liver failure is a rapidly progressing disease with an 80% mortality rate. Researchers identified three new subsets of liver cells that contribute to the condition's development, as well as signals from the gut microbiome. Selectively blocking these signals and depleting the microbiome led to marked improvement in liver function ...
Researchers analyzed 1,330 disease-associated genes and identified 18 features associated with pathogenic variants and 14 with benign variants. The study provides a molecular atlas of pathogenic mutations and aims to accelerate personalized drug discovery and precision medicine.
A new research effort led by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture seeks to enhance communication between healthcare providers and rural patients, enabling them to discuss costs and treatment options. The project aims to improve health outcomes for those living in poverty or with limited financial resources.