Astronomers used Hubble Space Telescope to detect ozone in Earth's atmosphere, simulating conditions for future exoplanet observations. The study aims to develop models of Earth's spectrum as a template for categorizing atmospheres on extrasolar planets.
A frigatebird chick suffering from a viral infection has won the 7th BMC Ecology Image competition. The winning image showcases the intricate relationships between species and their environments. David Costantini's powerful photo highlights pressing issues in ecology, including viral outbreaks affecting bird populations.
A team of researchers discovered unexpected features in roaming reactions, enabling more accurate predictions about molecules in the atmosphere, including models of climate change and ozone depletion. The study provides new tools to understand reaction mechanisms in the atmosphere.
UC Berkeley researchers have identified a unique electrical signature in brain noise that distinguishes REM sleep from wakefulness. This breakthrough could enable the development of new diagnostic tools for sleep disorders and monitor patients under anesthesia during surgery.
The study found that immune cells are produced in large quantities but their function is defective, leading to an ineffective immune response against the virus. In severe cases, immature cells with inhibitory effects on the immune response prevail.
Scientists have found a link between mutation rate and genome size in prokaryotes, with higher mutation rates associated with faster gene loss and smaller genomes. The study challenges the current idea that population size is the main factor driving genome reduction in prokaryotes.
A review by Dr Chawla finds that connecting with nature supports young people's happiness, health, and environmental awareness, while also generating complex emotions linked to climate change. The study highlights the need for strategies that balance promoting a positive connection with nature with addressing its challenges.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys aim to develop new therapies for schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and substance abuse by identifying potential drug targets in 'orphan' receptors. The team has created an innovative platform called LIFT to screen small molecules and validate these receptors as bonafide drug targets.
A new study reveals that non-white Americans, especially Asian Americans, are at a higher risk of gastric cancer compared to non-Hispanic whites. The risk is highest among Korean Americans age 50 and older, who have a 12-fold to 14.5-fold higher risk of developing stomach cancer.
A recent study published in Genetics found a single genetic mutation in Tasmanian devils that leads to reduced growth of a transmissible cancer. The mutation is also implicated in human prostate and colon cancers, suggesting potential new treatment avenues.
A new study by Michigan Medicine researchers documents how hospitals reacted to the pandemic and found that most implemented a 'no visitors' policy, but some allowed exceptions for end-of-life visits. ICU teams also shifted to telephones and video chats to connect with families.
Researchers Waseem Asghar, Behnaz Ghoraani, Feng-Hao Liu, and Marianne E. Porter have received NSF CAREER Awards for their groundbreaking work on developing low-cost infectious disease testing devices, cognitive screening tools for Alzheimer's detection, and post-quantum cryptography methods.
A new study from the University of Missouri School of Medicine found that pre-treatment eye pressure is a key indicator of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) effectiveness in patients with open-angle glaucoma. Patients with higher baseline intraocular pressure achieved larger reductions in pressure after surgery.
Researchers found that influenza A virus (IAV) infection leads to changes in eosinophil surface markers, antigen presentation, and survival. Eosinophils play an active role in resolving viral infections by recognizing IAV antigens and inducing epigenetic changes in CD8+ T-cells.
A new analysis of satellite images has found that nearly half of the world's protected land has experienced changes in land productivity over the past 15 years. Stable levels of land productivity were maintained in around 44% of protected areas, while increases or decreases were observed in almost half.
Researchers identified three antidepressant dispensing trajectories during pregnancy: continued treatment, interrupted and resumed, and stopped. Women on continuous treatment had more frequent complications and postpartum psychiatric disorders.
A new study found that prenatal Viagra treatment worsened growth-restriction in baby sheep by impairing the fetus' ability to redirect blood flow to essential organs. This impairment occurred despite lower levels of oxygen in the fetal blood, suggesting a potential mechanism underlying increased morbidity observed clinically.
Scientists at TU Wien have explained DNA's unusual behavior under tension using a unique combination of civil engineering and physics. The study reveals that DNA can twist more than expected when stretched, with significant consequences for biology and medicine.
A study published in Media International Australia found that COVID-19 misinformation led to a surge in conspiracy theories, particularly around 5G technology. The research highlighted the role of social media and celebrities in spreading false claims, which can have significant real-world impacts, such as attacks on mobile phone towers.
Karabi Bezboruah, associate professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, has won the 2020 USDLA International Excellence in Teaching/Training Award. She was recognized for her innovative approach to teaching and training, including incorporating experiential projects into her online courses.
A study found that two blood epigenetic signatures associated with ADNP syndrome have only modest correlation with clinical manifestations. Researchers conclude that these signatures should be carefully evaluated before being considered as biomarkers for predicting behavioral outcomes.
Research in mice indicates ACE2 receptor is primarily found on tongue cells with rough surfaces, not in taste bud cells, suggesting alternative mechanisms for SARS-CoV-2-induced taste loss.
Researchers explore how women with SE-AN experience it as profoundly embodied, highlighting why treatment becomes more difficult. A new holistic approach is proposed to improve quality of life.
Distinctive fluted points were discovered on Yemeni and Omani sites, dating back to 7,000-8,000 years ago. The discovery of similar techniques in Arabia suggests cultural convergence without a connection between the populations.
A new checklist of New Guinea's 13,634 vascular plant species has been built by 99 scientists from 56 institutions and 19 countries. The list contains 20% more species than Madagascar or Borneo, with many endemic plants found only in the region.
A novel, rapid carcinogen detection method using stem cells has been developed by scientists at Okayama University. The method, which takes only one week to yield results, involves testing chemicals on healthy stem cells to see if they convert into cancerous stem cells.
A researcher at Sandia National Laboratories has won an Early Career Research Program award to develop methods for applying physics laws to observe large-scale physical events. The project aims to achieve a millionfold change in scale, from meter- to microscale features.
A study of 380 female sex workers found that more than half reported symptoms of PTSD after experiencing or witnessing an overdose. The findings suggest that overdose treatment programs should include a strong mental health component to help survivors and witnesses recover from trauma.
A CUNY ISPH study reveals that ovarian cancer grows and evolves continuously, with mixtures of subclones accumulating mutations. The findings challenge previous simplistic models of discrete subtypes, offering a clearer picture of tumor heterogeneity.
A new study has provided the world's most detailed phylogenetic analysis of asterids, a group of flowering plants that include coffee, heather, and tomatoes. The research, conducted by the University of Bonn and international partners, sheds light on the evolutionary history of these species and their relationships.
A study published in Nature Communications has found that plant hormones strigolactones reduce the transport of auxin, a key hormone involved in vein formation. This slowdown allows for more focused and efficient vein development, which can lead to improved crop yields and better adaptation to challenging climate conditions.
A team led by Argonne National Laboratory has discovered a new electrocatalyst that converts carbon dioxide (CO2) and water into ethanol with very high energy efficiency, selectivity for the desired final product, and low cost. This process could contribute to the circular carbon economy by reusing CO2 from industrial processes.
Researchers used airplanes and satellite data to uncover neighborhood-level differences in nitrogen dioxide levels in Houston. The study found that areas with higher pollutant levels were predominantly low-income, non-white, and Hispanic neighborhoods, while high-income, white areas had lower pollution levels.
Researchers find that San Francisco Bay Area coastal flooding causes region-wide commute disruptions, particularly in areas with sparse road networks. Climate change exacerbates the issue, and measuring road network density is crucial for understanding community resilience to flood-related delays.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed wedge-shaped luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) that can be hung on walls to capture and convert sunlight into electric power. The technology has shown promise in reducing energy needs for buildings, particularly in urban settings where roof space is limited.
Researchers, including Masoud Manjili, suggest that COVID-19 should be treated as an acute inflammatory disease due to dysregulated immune responses. Effective treatment strategies involve modulating inflammation without compromising the adaptive immune response.
Researchers identified nine clusters of journalists, including an 'elite/legacy' cluster dominated by The Washington Post and others, which showed high levels of insularity. In contrast, a long-form/enterprise cluster fostered exchange among journalists with diverse perspectives.
A recent survey of nearly 800 cigar smokers found that more than twice as many reported increasing their tobacco use since the pandemic's onset. The study suggests that stress, anxiety, and reduced access to cessation resources may contribute to this trend.
A study published in The BMJ found that freezing embryos for later transfer does not result in a higher chance of pregnancy compared to fresh embryo transfer. Researchers recommend using fresh embryo transfer as the gold standard for women with no immediate risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
A study found that commuters in poor cities experience higher levels of in-car air pollution, with windows-open setting exposing passengers to hotspots of pollution for up to a third of the total travel length. Car cabin filters were more effective in removing pollutants than fine particles.
In a breakthrough study, scientists successfully implanted highly specialized neural stem cell grafts directly into mouse spinal cord injuries, showing they integrated with host networks and behaved like neurons. The grafts displayed spontaneous activity, responded to sensory stimuli, and formed functional connections with host neurons.
The study found that the Pacific Island Countries (PICTs) are vulnerable to food insecurity due to their reliance on global supply chains. However, researchers suggest that bolstering local production and intraregional trade can strengthen the food system and protect against malnutrition. The PICTs have the potential to rely on traditi...
A new study found that absorbed plant miRNA MIR2911 in honeysuckle decoction can directly target SARS-CoV-2 genes and inhibit viral replication. Drinking the decoction accelerates negative COVID-19 patient conversion, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for treating SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Researchers discovered that stressed bacteria's damage-containment system can become overwhelmed, prompting cells to activate alternative pathways for DNA replication and growth. This response allows cells to maintain normal functions under stressful conditions.
As autonomous vehicles challenge traditional auto-related funding streams, cities must prepare for potential revenue implications. Researchers analyzed transportation network companies' impact on parking demand and found a non-linear relationship between Uber trips and occupancy. Cities can adjust parking policies by time/day, lower pr...
A survey of 95 Central American migrants found that 74% experienced food insecurity, with factors including days in transit and travel companion illness. The researchers offer potential remedies for strengthening migrants' access to food, including information on procuring nutrition and prioritizing inexpensive food.
A comprehensive catalogue of human genome's molecular elements has been produced by the ENCODE collaboration, providing insights into potential regulatory regions. The resource will help all human biology research moving forward, particularly in understanding genetic variants and their functions.
A new analysis found that microorganisms causing human diseases can be present in vultures, including multi-resistant bacteria. However, there is no clear evidence that vultures spread pathogens to humans and other species, but they may help prevent disease transmission by consuming carcasses.
Researchers biofabricated human colorectal cancer organoids to understand how tumors grow in their natural microenvironment and respond to treatments. The study replicated native tumor tissue in a laboratory model and validated its effects on whole-body physiology, paving the way for new therapies targeting the extracellular matrix.
Research suggests that increasing levels of education may be protective for people with a gene for familial early onset Alzheimer's, delaying the development of amyloid plaques. Participants with less than 10 years of education had twice as many plaques as those with more than 16 years.
A new study led by McGill University researchers found that two-thirds of hospitalized seniors are prescribed inappropriate medications, increasing the risk of injury and adverse drug reactions. The study concludes that improving hospital prescribing practices can reduce this risk.
Among patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and coronary artery disease, limited use of recommended medications was observed. Despite similar treatment needs, Hispanics of Mexican background reported the lowest usage of cardiovascular medications, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
The new method uses a non-traditional imaging approach to achieve fast imaging speeds with high spatial resolution. It demonstrates the technique by creating an x-ray movie of a blade rotating at 100,000 frames per second.
Researchers in Spain studied bird nests to understand how insects and parasites detect gas concentrations, finding a positive correlation between carbon dioxide and biting midges. The study also found that methane concentration was related to bacteria in nesting materials.
Scientists have found a way to measure the quantum distance of Bloch states in solids by applying a magnetic field, enabling the detection of anomalous Landau level spreading. This discovery reveals that the quantum metric plays a crucial role in determining material properties.
A cross-sectional study in the Netherlands found that loneliness experiences differ by age, with certain factors associated with loneliness varying across adult life stages. The strongest association with loneliness was found for those who felt excluded from society.
Dr. Sanjana's research uses high-throughput genome engineering technologies to identify genes that can boost the effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The project aims to overcome immunosuppression in pancreatic cancer and potentially lead to improved immunotherapies.
Quat-containing disinfectants have raised concerns over potential toxicity, with links to fertility and developmental problems found in animal and cell experiments. However, industry experts argue that skin irritation is the biggest concern, and typical exposures in people are unlikely to pose significant health risks.
Researchers used computational modeling to visualize heart valve implant behavior for the first time, revealing that thinner biological tissues can induce leaflet flutter, compromising durability and causing blood cell damage. This study builds upon decades of research and showcases the importance of supercomputing power in improving s...
A new drug, ofatumumab, has been shown to significantly reduce inflammation and clinical relapses in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis. Nearly nine out of ten patients on the treatment showed no sign of disease activity after one year.