A McGill University-led research team analyzed over 200,000 groundwater samples and found that current guidelines may need revision to reflect modern uses and technologies. The study suggests that existing wells already encroach on 'bases of fresh water' and brackish waters exist within current groundwater basins.
Researchers have developed a noninvasive method to measure the stiffness of tissues within the brain's gray and white matter, which can reveal clues about traumatic brain injuries. The new technique, known as waveguide elastography, merges acoustic imaging methods and algorithms to provide diagnostic insights.
Christina Felfe has won a prestigious ERC consolidator grant to investigate the role of parents, classmates, and socialization processes on the formation of group preferences. Her five-year project aims to measure children's group belonging and behavior towards their own and other groups.
A new study found significant inequalities in public drinking water arsenic exposure across US regions and sociodemographic subgroups. Despite a decline in national arsenic levels, Hispanic communities and those relying on groundwater continued to exceed maximum contaminant levels, raising environmental justice concerns.
The study investigates the associations between parental substance abuse, COVID-19, and exposure to health disparities with children's health and well-being. The Healthy Brain and Child Development Study aims to shed light on these factors.
Researchers developed a membrane material that self-cleans biological contaminants through sunlight irradiation, reducing the need for harsh chemicals and extending membrane lifespan.
Researchers at TUM have developed a method to precisely measure the strong interaction between stable and unstable particles, shedding light on atomic nuclei and neutron stars. The breakthrough enables high-precision studies of the dynamics of the strong force.
Researchers recreated a 700-year record of Southern Hemisphere westerly winds using sediment cores. The study found that winds intensified and migrated poleward during warm periods, which is likely to continue with climate warming.
Researchers analyzed soil samples from burned and unburned areas in California parks, finding that the oak woodland fungal community was less affected by wildfires than those in evergreen forests. This aligns with the fact that oak woodlands depend on regular fire to thrive.
A new compound has been identified that targets imidazole I2 receptors to reduce neuroinflammation and improve cognition in late-onset Alzheimer's disease. The study also reveals the calcineurin pathway as a key mechanism of action, opening up possibilities for new therapies.
The Einstein Foundation Berlin launches its new award to promote quality in research, recognizing contributions from researchers and institutions. The award will be funded by €500,000 a year and will be awarded for the first time in November 2021 in Berlin.
Researchers have identified electrical oscillations in Parkinson's patients' scalps that are coupled with brain activity, suggesting a key to understanding the disease's characteristic movement slowing. The study's findings could lead to novel therapies and shed light on the connection between cognitive disorders and motor symptoms.
A study of older adults hospitalized with influenza during the 2011-2012 flu season found that functional decline was common and often persistent. Higher frailty at admission was associated with increased risk of catastrophic disability and death.
The Parker Solar Probe has discovered that the densities of dust particles around the sun vary wildly over months, contradicting scientists' expectations. This finding suggests a more complex and fast-shifting dusty environment than previously thought, with implications for understanding planet formation.
A new study found that physicians did not recognize significant symptoms in over half of breast cancer patients who reported pain, itchy skin, swelling, or fatigue during radiation therapy. The under-recognition was more common among younger patients and those from Black backgrounds, suggesting the need for better symptom detection met...
For older patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, omitting postoperative radiation therapy did not compromise survival or increase risk of distant metastasis. Local recurrence rates were higher in those who didn't receive radiation therapy.
The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded €655 million in Consolidator Grants to 327 researchers, including 37% of female applicants. These grants will fund research projects across Europe, creating over 2000 jobs and addressing topics such as patent-free medicines, viral pandemics, and elephants' long pregnancies.
A global comparison of two happiness tests reveals that cultural context is crucial for accurate measurement. The interdependence-focused Japanese test was more reliable in East Asian countries, while the independence-focused US test performed better in Western European nations.
New research challenges previous understanding, finding Third Pole grew at a much slower pace than thought. The findings shed light on regional and global climate processes.
Researchers at CNIC have identified a novel cellular and molecular mechanism that promotes vascular arterialization, enabling the development of arteries from blood capillaries. This breakthrough has significant implications for treating cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction.
A new study suggests that warm ocean currents in the North Pacific during the last ice age created a relatively warm region around the modern Bering Sea, making it more habitable for early humans. This finding addresses a long-standing mystery about the earliest inhabitants of North America.
Researchers from Skoltech and colleagues developed two models explaining the light-emitting behavior of semiconductor nanoplatelets, which are promising building blocks for optoelectronics. The models reveal trapping of excitons at surface defects and its interplay with diffusion as key reasons for complex kinetics.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have clarified the science behind sandcastle building by resolving a century-old mystery. They created artificial capillaries where water vapor can condense under ambient conditions, showing that the 150-year-old Kelvin equation remains surprisingly accurate even at an atomic scale.
A special report by The BMJ reveals that the UK government has kept its advisors' financial conflicts of interest unpublished, leading to calls for greater transparency. SAGE members have been accused of being unbalanced in their scientific proficiency and favoring certain types of expertise.
Scientists studying DNA damage repair process aim to identify a protein that can help healthy cells avoid dying or becoming cancerous. ATF3, a sensor of cell stress, has been shown to be essential to efficient DNA repair and may be the key to developing new cancer therapies.
Patients in precarious circumstances are less likely to use antibiotics appropriately, highlighting the need for sustainable development policies. Research suggests that improving living conditions can lead to better antibiotic use and tackle anti-microbial resistance globally.
A study of 21,231 UK urgent care register records found that advance care planning significantly influenced the place of death, with patients who had recorded preferences dying at home or in their chosen setting. Patients without a recorded preference were more likely to die in hospital.
A UC Davis Health study reveals that the colon lining releases hydrogen peroxide to limit microbial growth, providing a natural filter for the gut microbiota. This finding suggests a new treatment approach for gut inflammation and dysbiosis, shifting focus from targeting bacteria to fixing habitat filters and restoring host functionality.
Researchers found that higher baseline NT1 levels in blood samples predicted the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease dementia. The study used a cohort of cognitively normal older adults and showed that NT1 levels could be measured before enrollment in AD prevention trials.
Direct solar steam generation (DSSG) has promise as an alternative to traditional water treatment methods, but advancements are needed to overcome limitations. New technologies have improved evaporation rates and reduced heat loss, offering a potential solution to global drinking water scarcity.
A Community Connectors service can boost confidence in engaging with community activities and enhance social networks among older adults. The program has been shown to provide vital support for well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for those who cannot access remote services.
Researchers analyzed gut composition and DNA to identify key factors for successful fecal microbiota transplants, including the donor's microbiome and recipient's pre-transplant gut community structures. The study suggests that preparing donors' and patients' gut ecosystems prior to transplant may increase the likelihood of success.
Researchers have found a new network of routes that can transport spacecraft and comets at unprecedented speeds, reaching Jupiter's distance in under a decade. The 'celestial autobahn' or 'celestial highway' acts on several decades, allowing for faster exploration and monitoring of near-Earth objects.
A recent study found that pesticides in contact with plastic mulch can lead to delayed degradation, contaminating the soil and potentially harming the ecosystem. The use of biodegradable plastics was shown to have a higher percentage of pesticide sorption, leading to concerns about soil contamination.
Researchers have engineered red blood cells to release therapeutic proteins in response to specific wavelengths of light, using a honey bee peptide. This innovative approach could provide a more effective and targeted way to deliver protein therapies, reducing the risk of side effects and improving treatment outcomes.
A new global measure found that only 17.4 million square kilometres of Earth's remaining forests - or 40 per cent - are considered to have high integrity. High integrity forests contain high levels of biodiversity and provide ecosystem services, but many have been heavily impacted by human activities.
This case series describes mucocutaneous findings in children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key findings include various skin and mucous membrane abnormalities, highlighting the importance of early recognition and treatment.
The study found that black people and women were the most affected by the pandemic, with three informal workers losing jobs for every one formal worker terminated. The emergency aid program had a limited impact, mainly benefiting large employers and those on minimum wage, but failed to cover small and medium enterprises.
The California Academy of Sciences has added 213 new species to the tree of life, including 101 ants, 15 fishes, and 11 flowering plants. These discoveries provide valuable insights into Earth's biodiversity and help inform global conservation efforts.
Neuroscientists at Harvard Medical School have identified a critical gene, Fos, that allows neurons to rewire inputs from other neurons, enabling networks of disparate neurons to coordinate activity. This mechanism is thought to be essential for memory consolidation and recall.
DeepLabCut-Live! is a real-time marker-less motion capture system for animals, allowing researchers to study posture and movement in real-time. This technology enables low-latency feedback and interfaces with hardware for optimal experimental control.
Scientists identified contact pairs of magnesium ions and phosphate groups as a structural element for stabilizing tRNA's tertiary structure. The presence of magnesium ions reduces the electrostatic energy and orient water molecules, contributing to the molecule's stability.
A study by the University of Portsmouth discovered that giant feathery shipworms engage in competitive mating, where larger worms have an advantage due to longer siphons. The researchers observed stages of sperm transfer and sparring between rival mates, revealing a sophisticated form of reproductive behavior.
The University of Louisville is developing a nasal spray to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection using the Q-Griffithsin compound, which has shown promise against multiple coronaviruses and other viruses. The project aims to deliver the antiviral agent directly to the upper respiratory tract.
A recent study suggests that a unique human genetic mutation may contribute to the high risk of advanced cancers, with approximately 30% of people still producing dysfunctional Siglec-12 proteins. These individuals are at twice the risk of developing advanced cancer compared to those who cannot produce the protein.
A new study found that proteins become biochemically addicted to complex interactions, even if they serve no purpose. The 'hydrophobic ratchet' mechanism drives the accumulation of useless complexity inside cells.
The École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) has introduced a new engineering research chairs program, focusing on resilience and determination. The $5 million initiative aims to foster diversity and equity in research excellence.
A team of scientists discovered that natural antibiotics produced in wounds can increase sleep and raise the chances for surviving an injury. The researchers found that these antimicrobial peptides act as long-range messenger molecules, signaling the need for sleep to the nervous system.
Researchers analyzed published research to find 565 mammalian species used in traditional medicine globally, highlighting the threat of overexploitation. Closely related species are often used to treat similar diseases.
The Oxford Covid-19 vaccine has shown a 70.4% overall efficacy rate in phase 3 human trials, with the standard dose regimen showing 62.1% efficacy and the low dose regimen demonstrating 90.0% efficacy. No hospitalizations or severe disease were observed in vaccinated groups.
Researchers at Arizona State University have discovered that certain molecules can promote the self-assembly of sliding clamps into structures containing many stacked doughnut shapes, resembling tubes of doughnuts. These findings suggest a new mechanism by which cells may control DNA replication under stress conditions.
A RIT professor is leading a research project to develop low-cost, high-efficiency solar cells using a reusable substrate process. The goal is to reduce the cost of these efficient solar cells, which can power devices like smartphones, drones, and cars.
Researchers have developed nanodiamond-embedded membrane filters that can effectively treat hot wastewater by increasing filtration rates and removing impurities. These membranes achieve this through the synergistic effects of amine links and ethyl acetate treatment, resulting in thicker, more temperature-stable membranes.
Researchers at the University of New Mexico have found that combining certain polymers and oligomers with UV light can almost completely kill the coronavirus. This method provides a fast-acting and highly effective coating that reduces virus concentrations by five orders of magnitude.
A meta-analysis found that circulating tumor cell dynamics were associated with overall survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Changes in CTC levels before and after treatment were linked to prognosis, with median overall survival greatest for those who remained CTC-negative.
A new study from Cardiff University shows that direct messages sent via Facebook chat can significantly reduce the amount of red and processed meat consumed by individuals. Participants reported a significant decrease in their meat consumption, with some even expressing a desire to reduce other types of meat they consume in the future.
Researchers discovered that electric fish use specialized long-distance electric signals to communicate with each other, similar to AM radio, allowing them to navigate and interact in absolute darkness. The cave-adapted fish have greater electric field strengths than surface-dwelling relatives.
Achieving target body temperature quickly is vital for patients with witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, leading to more favorable neurological outcomes. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) shows promise as a treatment option when combined with ECMO.
A study from the University of East Anglia found that blood biomarkers such as cholesterol, inflammation, and liver function can predict future disability and healthcare demand. The researchers also discovered a pro-rich inequity in health care use, where people with higher incomes are more likely to seek medical attention.
Researchers studied spiders in space, where they built asymmetrical webs with the center displaced. However, when exposed to lamplight, the webs became more symmetrical, and spiders oriented themselves away from the light source.