Researchers have developed a simple skin test that can accurately diagnose Parkinson's disease by detecting clumping of the protein alpha-synuclein. The assay was tested on 50 skin samples from patients with Parkinson's disease, achieving high sensitivity and specificity rates, promising an earlier diagnosis and better clinical trials.
Researchers at Texas A&M University developed a method to detect and monitor pediatric brain cancer using epigenetic markers in cerebrospinal fluid. The approach, which overcomes limitations of liquid biopsy, holds promise for giving clinicians real-time insights into treatment response.
A new study reveals that millions of people in the US have searched for information on Google regarding police reform, with searches increasing by over 150-fold in the days following George Floyd's death. The study found that specific reform topics such as police union reform and training had high search volumes across all states.
A new algorithm could help reduce stress on health systems in the UK and beyond by redistributing ICU patients across hospitals. The load balancing method, developed by Queen Mary University of London, has been shown to enable access for up to 1000 additional cases in the UK.
Researchers have discovered how snakes can detect prey with uncanny accuracy in total darkness by converting infrared radiation into electrical signals. The cells inside the pit organ membrane are found to function as a pyroelectric material, drawing upon the electrical voltage in most cells.
Protests correlated with short-term drop in fatal interactions with police for Black individuals, contributing to the body of research on protest effectiveness. No evidence found that protests increased crime or decreased proactive policing.
A randomized clinical trial by University of Minnesota researchers found that taking hydroxychloroquine once or twice weekly did not prevent COVID-19 development in healthcare workers. The study showed a significant side effect increase with hydroxychloroquine use.
A study by Duke researchers found that transcription factors tend to bind strongly to mismatched sections of DNA, which can lead to the accumulation of mutations in regulatory regions. This binding is thought to be energetically favorable due to the lower energy required to distort mismatched DNA.
A genome-wide association study found two genetic variants associated with high blood pressure and kidney toxicity in cancer patients treated with bevacizumab. The variants, rs6770663 and rs339947, can be used to predict which patients are at risk of severe side effects.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that critically ill newborns who receive blood transfusions prior to surgery have a 50% increased rate of complications or death. The findings suggest that a 'wait and see' approach to giving infants blood during surgery may reduce surgical complications and the risk of death.
Researchers at TU Graz have discovered a new sediment archive on the Styrian Erzberg, providing valuable insights into recent climate development. The archive features geologically young minerals formed shortly after the last ice age, challenging current understanding of mineral formation temperatures.
A new study by University of Houston researchers found that negatively presented information and 'Mr. Deadly COVID-19' scary face can significantly strengthen the message, increasing compliance with physical distancing guidelines. The study suggests using preventive language to persuade consumers to avoid close contact.
Researchers at Northern Arizona University's Center for Health Equity Research are receiving funding from the NIH for four projects related to COVID-19, focusing on health inequities, resilience, telehealth regulations, and vaccine trials. The projects aim to address disparities in healthcare outcomes and promote community engagement.
The need for collaborative care among healthcare professionals to address mental health demands in the COVID-19 era is highlighted. The authors emphasize the importance of this approach to ensure timely and effective support for individuals struggling with mental health issues during this critical time.
A new study reveals that brain cell dysfunction in low oxygen is caused by the body's protective response system, which ultimately impairs brain cell function. Researchers have identified a class of drugs that can overcome this damage and restore brain-stem cell function.
A new study by researchers from Florida Atlantic University and Geisinger shows that electronic health records can help pinpoint patients with opioid use disorder. By analyzing EHR data, researchers were able to identify more patients with moderate-to-severe opioid use disorder than relying on diagnostic codes alone.
The NOAA report evaluates the condition of Papahānaumokuākea's ecosystem, revealing relatively pristine marine resources but affected terrestrial habitats. Active conservation management is necessary to address threats from climate change, pollution, and invasive species.
Scientists have developed a white paint that cools below ambient temperatures, reflecting 95.5% of sunlight and maintaining lower temperatures under direct sun. This technology could reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in various industries, including buildings, data centers, and outdoor equipment.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital identified several biomarkers that can predict the risk of preeclampsia from a blood sample drawn at 12 weeks gestation. The study also found possible subtypes of preeclampsia linked to platelet dysfunction and complement system dysfunction.
Astronomers have identified 1,004 main-sequence stars that might contain Earth-like planets in their habitable zones, all within 300 light-years of Earth. These exoplanets could detect signs of a biosphere in Earth's atmosphere.
A team of plant pathologists developed a comprehensive guide for diagnosing cucurbit downy mildew, caused by the obligate pathogen Pseudoperonospora cubensis. The guide provides written and graphic material to help identify symptoms and diagnose the disease using DNA testing and microscopy.
Researchers analyzed 133 dream reports word by word using graph theory to show that REM dream reports have more structural connectedness than non-REM dream reports. This study confirms that dream report structure varies according to sleep stage and has implications for understanding dreams worldwide.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed a potential test for Machado-Joseph disease, a rare neurodegenerative disorder with no cure. The new test can quantify mutant protein levels in human biofluids, which may help evaluate the effectiveness of therapies aimed at reducing protein accumulation.
Researchers from the University of Warwick found that monkeys, apes, and humans can process relationships between words in a sentence, including non-adjacent dependencies. This ability predates the evolution of language itself by at least 30-40 million years.
Researchers found racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 outcomes associated with factors such as age, sex, and socioeconomic status. The study identified characteristics that contributed to these disparities, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have discovered a new way to fight cancer by targeting the tumor microenvironment. By promoting wound healing and remodeling blood vessels, immune cells can starve tumors of nutrients and deprive them of growth factors.
Researchers have created a detailed model of how the brain learns and memorizes, shedding light on long-term potentiation and depression. The model simulates the competition between exocytosis and endocytosis of AMPA-type glutamate receptors, revealing the molecular mechanisms underlying learning and memory formation.
A randomized clinical trial published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that taking hydroxychloroquine did not prevent COVID-19 in health care workers. The study, which enrolled 1,483 participants, also showed increased side effects with higher doses of the medication.
Researchers at JAIST and U-Tokyo successfully developed a thermodegradable aromatic polymer with the highest heat resistance of all reported plastics, using cellulosic biomass as feedstock. The plastic exhibits superior thermostability over 740°C and is lightweight, making it suitable for circular economy applications.
Researchers analyzed 1,347 nephrectomy specimens to understand kidney histopathological findings. They found that more scarring in glomerulus, tubules/interstitium, and vessels is associated with worse kidney function.
Researchers at Princeton University developed a unique installation, LightVault, using robotic strength and precision to reduce resource use. The structure's doubly curved design improved its structural efficiency by reducing material requirements.
Researchers at POSTECH developed thin-film organic photodiodes with accurate and simple junction engineering, controlling spectral response of wavelengths. This innovation enables the production of color-filter-free optical sensors, a significant advancement in replacing silicon photodiodes.
A new study by Staffordshire University found that the Pastoral da Pessoa Idosa (PPI) programme in Brazil supported 164,000 older people during the pandemic. Volunteers provided home visits and practical help, helping to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.
A team of astronomers used ALMA to capture radio images of Io during eclipses, showing the direct effect of volcanic activity on its atmosphere. They found that active volcanoes produce 30-50 percent of Io's atmosphere, with potassium chloride also present in volcanic regions.
A UC Riverside-led study found that COVID-19 variability may have underlying molecular sources in SARS-CoV-2 host gene expression. The researchers identified specific genes, such as ACE2 and CLEC4G, that are variably expressed and linked to infection susceptibility and symptom severity.
Research led by Swansea University discovered that ghrelin blocks brain cell formation and is linked to Parkinson's dementia. The study found the UAG form of ghrelin reduces nerve cell formation and impairs memory.
Researchers have developed a new cancer-specific anticancer drug that can prevent drug resistance and reduce side effects. The drug is designed to release an anticancer agent along with a drug-resistance inhibitor in cancer cells, effectively treating cancers without recurrence or treatment failure.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine found that tryptophan, an amino acid present in turkey, combined with certain probiotics, can help individuals with celiac disease heal and manage symptoms. The research suggests targeting tryptophan metabolism in the gut may offer a potential therapy for better symptom control.
Researchers created a flexible film that changes color in response to stretching, pressure, or humidity, mimicking the color-changing properties of chameleon skin. The film is made from renewable cellulose nanocrystals and has potential applications in anti-counterfeiting measures, strain sensing, and encryption.
Researchers identify lysine acetylation as key regulator of Pif1 helicase, a protein involved in genome stability and cancer. The study's findings could lead to more targeted cancer therapies by fine-tuning drugs to target specific enzymes.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that non-pharmaceutical interventions such as shelter-in-place and voluntary quarantine can significantly reduce Covid-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths. Increasing compliance with these measures can cut cumulative infections in half and reduce peak number of infections to about a third.
Chemists from the Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials discovered how oxygen affects the synthesis of a novel MOF; copper 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-benznetriol metal-organic framework. Oxygen prevents ligands from reducing Cu ions to Cu metal, facilitating MOF synthesis.
African American men are more susceptible to prostate cancer due to immune-oncologic differences, which can be exploited for personalized treatment options. The study found elevated immune pathways and higher expression of T lymphocytes in African American prostate tumors, suggesting better responses to radiotherapy and immunotherapy.
A study by Princeton and Mpala scholars found a significant increase in obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular illnesses among Turkana people who shifted from an animal-based diet to one rich in carbohydrates. The researchers attributed this 'mismatch' between the diet and human evolution to the drastic change in lifestyle.
A novel method for measuring spatial dependencies uses mathematical techniques normally used for time-series analysis to identify influences between geographic phenomena in small data sets. The approach allows for robust inferences of influences and interpolations to intermediate areas or distant regions, even with limited data.
Researchers have developed a protein delivery system that restored normal sperm development and allowed previously infertile mice to father pups. The treatment delivered a key protein called PIN1 directly to mouse testicles, repairing damaged reproductive cells and improving fertility.
A joint UC Berkeley-ITU team uses molecular dynamics simulations and single molecule experiments to identify the processes that happen when the virus binds to human cells. They discover intermediate states and specific amino acids that stabilize each state, which may lead to targeted treatments.
Researchers found that consuming flavanol-rich foods and drinks, such as tea and apples, can lead to significant reductions in blood pressure. The study used objective measures of thousands of UK residents' diet and found a comparable effect to Mediterranean and DASH diets.
Researchers at University of Münster developed a new experimental design to improve reproducibility in animal experiments. The study found that this design resulted in better reproducible results compared to the conventional standardized design.
Scientists have created soft pyroelectric materials that can convert heat into electricity, solving the mystery of how snakes sense their surroundings in the dark. The development is based on a mathematical model inspired by the physiology of snake pit organs.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine show that gene editing with CRISPR-Cas9 can restore function in an animal model of Angelman syndrome. The therapy was effective in restoring the UBE3A enzyme in human neurons and treating deficits in an animal model, offering a long-lasting treatment or cure for this debilitating disease.
Dr. Penny M. Heaton is honored with the PIDS Distinguished Research Award for her outstanding contributions to vaccine clinical research and development. She leads efforts at the Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute, optimizing therapeutics, vaccines, and monoclonal antibody candidates.
The new guideline provides options for different treatments to improve survival rates and quality of life for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Recommendations address patient selection, pelvic radiation treatments, integration with chemotherapy and surgery, and follow-up care.
Researchers found that angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), commonly used for high blood pressure and heart failure, may increase the likelihood of responding to anti-PD(L)1 therapy. Patients taking ARBs showed a statistically significant improvement in objective response rate and complete response rate compared to those not taking them.
The redesigned course overcomes obstacles of collaborative learning online, including teacher confidence, student resistance, and plagiarism. The five key elements - student-focused and active, structured in phases, multi-format, 360 assessment, and proactive online professor - improve student satisfaction and teamwork skills.
Two studies found that the prevalence of COVID-19 in NICU infants was low, yet many hospitals restricted parental visitations and scaled back lactation support and therapy. The researchers noted that these rapid policy changes may carry secondary unintended consequences.
The study aims to examine the effects of gestational exposure to endocrine disruptors on fetal development in African American and white mothers. It will also explore health disparities in fetal developmental outcomes by race, with the goal of addressing significant gaps in understanding the impact of these chemicals.
Researchers found a 10-fold increased risk of COVID-19-related death in individuals with Down syndrome. Meanwhile, the FDA is reevaluating its REMS program for mifepristone to improve women's health access during the pandemic and post-pandemic
Researchers created Tsugite, a 3D design application to simplify wood joint creation and fabrication. The system allows users to design functional wooden structures quickly and efficiently, without nails or glue, promoting sustainability and flexibility in construction.
A new study using chess game data shows that cognitive capacity increases steadily until around the middle of the fourth decade before plateauing. Modern 30-year-olds exhibit a higher level of cognitive ability than those born 100 years ago at the same age.