Researchers have developed a new type of oxygen reduction catalyst using nitrogen-doped porous carbon supported Fe single atom catalysts. These catalysts outperform commercial platinum-based catalysts in terms of ORR activities, stability, and methanol resistance.
Researchers identify 'deep trap' caused by clusters of smaller atomic-sized defect sites at grain boundaries, leading to power losses and instability. The discovery could streamline efforts to increase efficiency of perovskites, bringing them closer to mass-market production.
A new sensor chip smaller than a ladybug records multiple lung and heart signals, body movements, and sounds to offer the big picture of a patient's heart and lung health. The chip's high resolution and quantified data could identify pathologies and enable clinical readings in the future.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that more than half of Americans starting highly regulated opioids may be receiving inappropriate treatment. The research team used pharmacy and medical claims data to identify nearly 300,000 instances of prescriptions for medications reserved for people with opioid tolerance. However, less ...
Researchers embed carbon nanotube sensors in plant leaves to detect hydrogen peroxide signaling waves, allowing for real-time tracking of plant stress responses. The new approach enables comparison across different plant species, providing insights into how plants counteract damage and respond to various types of stress.
A new study finds that teachers exhibit almost identical levels of pro-White racial bias as non-teachers, highlighting the need for additional support and training to mitigate implicit biases in schools. The research suggests that schools are microcosms of society, and teachers require help in combating their biases.
A new method called SCOPE estimates three properties of clouds that determine the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth's surface. The accuracy of the estimated cloud optical properties was evaluated using one year of data from 2018 for measurements taken at seven ground-based locations.
A recent analysis found that adherence to the Mediterranean diet correlates with higher cognitive function and slower cognitive decline. High fish and vegetable consumption had the greatest protective effect on cognition.
The Emergency Medicine Foundation is awarding research grants to advance emergency patient care and improve healthcare system responses to pandemics. Eligible applicants can apply for funding to study topics such as PPE design, telemedicine, laboratory testing, and special populations.
A recent study suggests that those exposed to the novel coronavirus may face a range of brain diseases and disorders, including depression, psychosis, and immune complications. The authors warn that monitoring and investigations are needed to mitigate such outcomes.
Researchers at Shinshu University developed electrospun manuka honey nanofibrous wound dressings with antimicrobial properties. The composite mats demonstrated effectiveness against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, promoting wound healing and tissue regeneration.
A study published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that mindful yoga significantly reduced testosterone levels and improved symptoms of depression and anxiety in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The practice also showed promise in reducing androgen levels, including DHEA.
Researchers propose a new framework to quantify the predictability of temporal networks, which encodes the ordering and causality of interactions between nodes. The study found that the contributions of topology and temporality to network predictability vary significantly across different types of real networks.
Researchers found that large earthquake sequences are 'burstier' and more difficult to predict than expected, with irregular gaps between event bursts. This finding could impact seismic hazard assessment and the way we evaluate an event's likelihood of repeating soon after a large earthquake.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation model has attracted significant attention from policymakers due to its predicted course of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, experts warn that the model's estimates are not without uncertainty and should be approached with caution.
A new study reveals that cicada wings are coated in a stew of hydrocarbons, fatty acids, and oxygen-containing molecules, which contribute to their ability to repel water and kill microbes. The ratio of surface chemicals differs between two cicada species, and altering the surface chemicals changes the nanopillar structure.
A new study suggests that impairments in microglia play a key role in the development of autism behaviors in some cases. The researchers found that protein overproduction in microglial cells leads to impaired synapse-pruning function, resulting in ASD-like social behavior deficits, primarily in males.
The article concludes that economic growth is not compatible with biodiversity conservation and proposes seven alternative proposals to ensure prosperity beyond growth. The studies outlines actions such as limiting commercialization of resources, restricting extractive industries, and promoting agro-ecological development.
Researchers found that irrigation increases crop yield by 16% due to cooling effects, not just water supply. Cooling reduces temperature stress and improves plant growth.
A VA study found that PTSD and moral injury are linked to increased risks of preterm birth, gestational diabetes, and postpartum depression in pregnant women. Women with more severe symptoms were at higher risk for pregnancy complications.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have identified the PERK protein as a critical molecular pathway controlling immunosuppression in tumor cells. By targeting PERK, cancer patients may experience reactivation of their immune system and enhanced effectiveness of immunotherapy treatments.
A traditional vegetable diet rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients can lower the risk of premature birth. Consuming high amounts of carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, and other vegetables before conception helps women reach full term pregnancy.
Researchers are using a new variant of reinforcement learning to train robots to predict multiple possible outcomes and choose the safest option. The algorithm will assign points to different outcomes, such as rewarding safer options and penalizing those that put the robot in danger.
Scientists at the University of Leeds and AstraZeneca developed a technique to screen antibody fragment susceptibility to aggregation caused by structure disruption much earlier in drug discovery. This approach increases the chances of success by selecting protein sequences that can withstand industrial-scale manufacturing stresses.
Researchers have discovered a new compound capable of maintaining its skyrmion properties at room temperature through high pressure. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient data storage and processing, as the skyrmion state normally exists only at very low temperatures.
A new mobile phone app is being tested to help smallholder farmers in Pakistan and Madagascar manage their land effectively. The system uses a paper strip to analyse soil nutrients and recommends levels of fertiliser to use.
A study using supercomputers found that the US can double or quadruple its installed wind turbine capacity without significantly affecting local climate. The researchers used simulations to model the impact of wind turbines on local climates, finding that adding more turbines in a given area would have minimal effects.
Researchers have developed a novel high-speed microscope to capture millisecond electrical signals in neurons, enabling the study of complex brain-wide interactions. The technique uses FACED technology to create a super-fast sweeping laser beam and detects voltage signals using engineered proteins.
A new study found that long-duration space travel can cause expansions in the brain's white matter and combined brain and cerebrospinal fluid volumes. The researchers also observed alterations to the pituitary gland, a pea-sized structure at the base of the skull, suggesting elevated intracranial pressure during spaceflight.
Researchers at Clemson University have discovered that the genetic architecture of life span is context-dependent, with different genes and variants having varying effects on males and females and environmental temperatures. The study uses the Drosophila melanogaster model to provide valuable insights into human aging.
A joint research team from KIER, KAIST, PNU, NTU developed a high-performance re-attachable sticker-type energy storage device. The new technology features a flexible structure that can be attached anywhere on objects or surfaces using ultrashort-pulse-lasers.
Researchers found that aerosol-photolysis interaction impacts atmospheric oxidants, leading to decreased secondary aerosol formation. ARI increased near-surface PM2.5, while API suppressed its formation, resulting in a net 4.8% increase.
Scientists at NREL have fabricated a solar cell with an efficiency of nearly 50%, setting two world records for the highest solar conversion efficiency. The six-junction solar cell can be used in concentrator photovoltaics to reduce material usage and increase efficiency.
A student-led campaign at Indiana University reduced stigma around mental illness, with results rivaling well-funded programs. The initiative increased awareness and inclusion among students, resulting in a significant decrease in prejudice.
Researchers found anosmia without nasal obstruction highly predictive of COVID-19. The study suggests that the nose's role in COVID-19 is crucial, as the virus produces mucus containing it in the nasal lining.
Jan Esper will track tree growth at 100 sites in the Northern Hemisphere to develop a new model for reliable climate data. This project aims to overcome the divergence problem, which undermines the reliability of temperature reconstructions based on tree rings.
Researchers have identified genes implicated in neurodegeneration throughout the stages of Alzheimer's disease using gene-network analysis. The study found that protein domain networks collapse during the progression of AD, leading to neuronal dysfunction and neurodegeneration.
A new study examined anesthesiologists' knowledge and attitudes towards treating suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients requiring surgery. The majority expressed correct attitudes towards airway management, emphasizing the importance of theoretical and practical training to ensure patient safety.
The Soybean Innovation Lab helps alleviate hunger and boost local economies in Sub-Saharan Africa by providing research-based solutions to farmers. Studies found that smallholder farmers face significant challenges adopting soybeans as a commercial crop, requiring guidance and support from larger systems.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found significant variability in blood pressure readings taken from different parts of the body and opposite sides of the body in the same individual. The study suggests that blood pressure measurements may need to be adjusted based on the site taken, which could impact medical decisions.
Researchers at Temple University Health System aim to understand immunological synapse formation and its impact on T-cell activation. They will focus on the role of molecules like STIM1 and septins in shaping immune responses.
Researchers have created an algorithm that can visualize the evolution of genetic mutations, revealing patterns in how proteins change over time. The tool, called minimum epistasis interpolation, helps scientists understand how specific mutations combine to affect protein function.
Researchers discovered that T cells respond differently to immune signals based on their 'training', revealing a continuum of memory experience. This spectrum affects how fast a cell can respond and what signals it can respond to.
A new study identifies key genes driving fibrolamellar carcinoma, a rare and deadly liver cancer. Researchers developed a cell model to test combination therapy strategies, including inhibitors of genes SLC16A14 and CA12, which showed promising results in killing tumor cells.
Researchers found epigenetic differences between brain hemispheres linked to variations in gene activity, making one side more vulnerable to neurological diseases. These findings could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating Parkinson's and other neurological disorders.
A new study suggests that volcanic activity played a direct role in triggering extreme climate change at the end of the Triassic period. The amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from these eruptions is comparable to the amount expected to be produced by all human activity in the 21st century.
A University of Ottawa researcher suggests that stray dogs and their intestines may have originated the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The study found that coronaviruses in dog intestines have a similar genetic signature to SARS-CoV-2, with low levels of CpG dinucleotides that evade human antiviral defenses.
A five-year study reveals that flamingos consistently spend time with specific close 'friends', forming complex social bonds, including 'married' couples and same-sex friendships. Flamingos' long-lasting friendships are stable over years, suggesting they play a crucial role in survival.
Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences develop new strontium-substituted bioactive glass bone cement, optimizing strontium concentration to improve bone formation and implant contact. They find optimal osteogenic characteristics with 6 mol% SrO addition, supporting better peri-implant bone regeneration.
The research team developed an intelligent microsystem employing machine learning and automation to reduce chemical waste by two orders of magnitude and catalytic discovery from weeks to hours. By screening catalysts and polymers faster, the method could lead to more efficient design and environmentally benign plastics.
Researchers have developed a simple method to prepare 3D keratin scaffold models that mimic the structure and biological function of native extracellular matrix. The study demonstrates the ability of cells to grow on these scaffolds without morphological changes or apoptosis, making them promising candidates for tissue engineering.
Researchers analyze 13,000-year-old fossils to understand the origin of light-scattering nanostructures in insects, which create colorful iridescent colors. The study finds that these structures may have evolved as a means of camouflage, with similar color patterns maintained over hundreds of thousands of generations.
A study found that more than a third of medical staff in China suffered from insomnia during the COVID-19 epidemic, with those experiencing sleeplessness also more likely to feel depressed and anxious. Factors such as uncertainty about disease control and lower education levels were correlated with increased risk.
University of Wisconsin-Madison physicists have provided an explanation for the discrepancy in solar wind temperature. By applying mirror machine theory, they found that the hot electrons stream from the sun to large distances, losing energy slowly and distributing it to trapped particles.
A Canadian study found that nearly a quarter of adults suffer from hypertension, with a notable decline in awareness, treatment, and control rates, particularly among women. The findings highlight the need for urgent re-engagement on blood pressure treatment and control to combat preventable deaths and disability.
Researchers have discovered a way to trigger heart cell regeneration using the overactive Myc gene, offering a potential first curative treatment for heart disease. The breakthrough involves targeting a specific protein, Cyclin T1, which enables the cells to replicate and regenerate.
The BRITE Constellation has recorded a complete nova eruption, offering a unique perspective on the phenomenon. The data provides valuable insights into shock-powered optical emission in novae, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of star explosions.
A community-based research study has been launched to better understand the pandemic and regional infection patterns. The study will employ online data-gathering and at-home rapid diagnostic kits to help the medical community develop strategies for containment and possibly eliminate COVID-19 in defined communities.
A new study found that exercise can prevent the development of liver cancer in obese mice with fatty liver disease. The research suggests that voluntary exercise exerts its protective effects via molecular signaling pathways, including tumor suppressor gene p53 and stress-activated protein kinase JNK1.
A new melanistic black iguana species has been discovered in the Lesser Antilles, threatened by unsustainable harvesting and competition from invasive alien iguanas. Conservation efforts are urged to protect this endemic species through biosecurity measures, minimization of hunting, and habitat conservation.