A new study successfully tracks 'bottle tags' through the Ganges River system and into the Bay of Bengal, revealing how plastic pollution moves through rivers. The tracking method uses reclaimed bottles with custom-designed electronics, allowing for detailed insights into river transport of plastic pollution.
A study of 173 countries found that increased testing intensity reduced COVID-19 transmission by 9%. Testing had the greatest influence among interventions, with a tenfold increase in tests to new cases reported reducing transmission. This explains why some countries, like China and Australia, achieved near elimination of COVID-19.
A Rutgers-led study suggests the most habitable region for life on Mars would be up to several miles below its surface due to subsurface melting of thick ice sheets. Liquid water may have been stable at great depths, allowing life to thrive through hydrothermal activity and rock-water reactions.
Researchers at Nagoya University have identified a new compound responsible for the synthesis of anthocyanin pigment in black soybeans, shedding light on the biosynthetic pathway and potential applications for treating metabolic diseases. The study aims to clarify the full steps of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside synthesis in black soybeans.
Researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Center have identified two new genes associated with preterm birth: HAND2 and GATA2. These genes play a crucial role in endometrial decidualization and embryo implantation, suggesting that their roles in pregnancy may be more important than previously anticipated.
A study led by UCL researchers found that flightlessness evolved in birds at least four times as often as expected. With 166 extinct species lacking flying ability, the findings show how human-driven extinctions have biased our understanding of evolution, altering most ecosystems worldwide.
A retrospective cohort study found that opioid prescriptions to patients at risk of misuse remained similar before and after CDC guidelines, with only a 14% decrease in oxycodone prescriptions. The study highlights the need for continued education on reducing high-abuse potential opioids for high-risk patients.
A study published in The BMJ found that people born with major birth defects face a higher risk of cancer throughout life. The relative risk is greatest in childhood, but the risk persists into adulthood. Major birth defects are associated with an increased risk of various types of cancer, including leukemia.
Researchers found that Ninjin'yoeito enhanced PGC-1α expression in skeletal muscle, improving muscle mass loss in aging mice. This study suggests a potential treatment for COPD patients with severe sarcopenia frailty.
Research reveals Aspergillus fumigatus activates inflammasome through galactosaminogalactan, increasing inflammation. The fungal pathogen's GAG is essential for NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have found that combining exercise and mindfulness training can significantly reduce fatigue in breast cancer survivors. The study used a feasibility trial with 40 women, who reported a drop in fatigue levels after participating in a combination of both interventions.
A decade-long study of killer whale necropsies reveals widespread mortality linked to human activities, affecting all age classes. Human-caused deaths were found in healthy populations as well as endangered species, emphasizing the need for improved conservation strategies.
A team of researchers has analyzed data to infer the nature of compact object orbiting within LS 5039, the brightest gamma-ray binary system in the Galaxy. The team suggests that particle acceleration process is caused by interactions between dense stellar winds and ultra-strong magnetic fields of a rotating magnetar.
A new analysis of Peekskill meteorites and others suggests that asteroids formed through violent bombardment and subsequent reassembly. This finding challenges the prevailing idea of a peaceful early solar system. The researchers propose the 'rubble pile hypothesis,' which supports this conclusion.
The Konza Prairie Long-Term Ecological Research program has supported a comprehensive ecological research and outreach program since 1980, focusing on the world's most productive yet endangered tallgrass prairie. With the recent NSF grant renewal, researchers will build on decades of research to understand causes and consequences of ec...
A new research study found a connection between repetitive behaviors and gastrointestinal problems in children with autism. The study also found that increased severity of other autism symptoms was associated with more severe constipation, stomach pain and other gut difficulties.
A new study suggests that a no-deal Brexit could raise cigarette and tobacco prices in the UK, making it easier to implement effective tobacco control measures. The research also highlights the potential benefits of Brexit for tackling smoking, including reduced smuggling and increased revenue for the government.
A new study found that LGB adults are less likely to take cholesterol-lowering medicines, known as statins, to prevent cardiovascular disease. The research suggests that LGB individuals may be unaware of their cardiovascular disease risk and the protective effect of statins due to lower healthcare access and awareness.
Almond trees have unique needs and challenges for farmers, but researchers are finding ways to balance nutrient inputs with environmental quality. Conservation practices like nutrient budgeting and fertigation can help achieve this balance.
Columbia researchers have created graphene plasmon polaritons without an external gate or chemical dopants, using static charge between 2D atomic layers. The discovery has broad applications in nanotechnology, including biosensing and solar energy.
Patients with atrial fibrillation are advised to avoid heavy alcohol consumption due to increased risk of stroke and other complications. Heavy drinking was associated with a 32% increased risk compared to abstainers, while moderate drinking seemed safe.
Researchers discovered that fluorescent proteins behave like miniature antennas, absorbing and emitting light in specific directions. This finding has significant applications in basic biological research and novel drug discovery.
Researchers developed two intervention programmes targeting moral factors and educating young elite athletes about the risks of performance-enhancing drugs. Both approaches were equally effective at deterring doping over a six-month period. The 'moral' programme focused on honesty, fair play, and the consequences of doping, while the '...
Archaeologists study how climate shift affected Greater Cahokia's bio-cultural associations and societal changes. Evapotranspiration played a critical role in determining urbanism progression, particularly through Steam Bath Ceremonialism.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have identified a new target for aggressive lung adenocarcinomas driven by the KEAP1 and STK11 mutations. By inhibiting ferroptosis, these tumors rely on this blockade to grow and survive.
A large observational study found that replacing red meat with high-quality plant foods like beans and nuts reduces the risk of coronary heart disease. Substituting whole grains, dairy products, and eggs for red meat also yields lower CHD risk.
Researchers have developed a self-repairing gelatin-based film that can mend cracks in minutes and preserve electrical functionality. The film, which incorporates glucose, can be used to enhance the durability of touchscreen and flexible display devices.
A new study by Oregon State University researcher Will White found that most Channel Islands marine protected areas have no poaching and fish populations are thriving. Harvest rates were essentially at zero for four species of kelp forest fish inside the protected areas between 2003 and 2017.
The study reveals that the SARS-CoV-2 virus rapidly causes damage to human lung cells by exploiting core resources and inducing abnormal changes in protein abundance and phosphorylation. The researchers also identified 18 pre-existing clinically approved drugs that can be potentially re-purposed for COVID-19 therapy.
A large-scale study found that genetics contribute to most cases of extremely large or small birth weights in full-term babies. However, the role of genetics was less significant in the smallest three per cent of babies, suggesting other factors such as placental health may be involved.
The graphic novel 'Europasaurus - Life on Jurassic Islands' provides a realistic look at the life of this dwarfed giant dinosaur and other prehistoric creatures. The book contains scientifically accurate information about the Mesozoic era, verified by international experts.
A team of researchers developed a novel microscope that can image through an intact mouse skull, resolving fine internal structures deep within living tissues. The reflection matrix microscope combines hardware and software-based adaptive optics to reconstruct object images without loss of spatial resolution.
A study of 44 infants found that half never slept 8 hours consecutively, and parents' perceptions of infant sleep vary greatly. Researchers suggest that understanding these differences is key to supporting healthy sleep habits in infancy.
Researchers developed wearable electroanalytical sensors for monitoring chronic skin wounds, detecting biomarkers such as pyocyanin, nitric oxide, and uric acid. The sensors showed high sensitivity and selectivity in simulated wound environments and cell cultures.
Researchers at Lancaster University have discovered a crystalline material that can capture and store solar energy for several months at room temperature. The energy is released on demand as heat, providing a promising solution for renewable heating systems and environmentally-friendly applications.
Scientists from SMART DiSTAP have engineered a novel type of plant nanobionic optical sensor that can detect and monitor arsenic levels in the belowground environment. This non-destructive approach enables plants to serve as self-powered detectors of arsenic, marking a significant upgrade over conventional methods.
A team of French scientists has measured the fine-structure constant with unprecedented precision, achieving an accuracy of 11 significant digits. The new value opens up new possibilities for testing the Standard Model's theoretical predictions and shedding light on fundamental questions such as dark matter.
The study reveals that the release of internal primordial heat caused large melting in the shallow mantle, extruding magma onto the Earth's surface. This led to the formation of keels of the first continents and made them weak and prone to destruction. The process resulted in the emergence of life on Earth.
Researchers have provided a detailed characterization of brain cortical cell diversity using Patch-seq technique. The study suggests that neurons within broad genetic families exhibit extensive anatomical and physiological diversity, highlighting the complexity of the brain's neural network.
Researchers have developed a novel heterogeneous catalyst combining intermetallic and support materials to improve Suzuki cross-coupling reaction stability and efficiency. The new Pd-ZrC catalyst exhibits high stability, large effective surface area, and enhanced catalytic performance compared to existing compounds.
Researchers from the University of Vienna used high-resolution mass spectrometry to analyze environmental toxin interactions with therapeutics. The study found that exposure to substances like BPA and genistein can alter drug efficacy, leading to reduced effectiveness in cancer treatment and other conditions.
Researchers investigate whether blockchain technology generates value for firms, particularly in asset-backed securities (ABS) issuance. Blockchain-based ABS can address information asymmetry, providing transparency and a level playing field for market participants.
TalTech's new generation monograin layer solar cells have been developed with a focus on reducing the ecological footprint and increasing efficiency. The Cu2CdGe(SxSe1?x)4 semiconductor material shows promising results, with a power conversion efficiency of 6.4%.
Researchers from Boyce Thompson Institute created a high-quality reference genome for S. pimpinellifolium, discovering sections of the genome underlying fruit flavor, size and ripening, stress tolerance and disease resistance. The study found over 92,000 structural variants related to important traits in cultivated tomatoes.
Researchers have discovered a potential window to the brain in Sanfilippo syndrome, a rare and untreatable form of childhood-onset dementia. The study uses retinal imaging techniques to monitor disease progression and therapeutic efficacy, providing new hope for patients.
In contemporary Taiwan, a study reveals that weak police forces effectively maintain peace by focusing on civic ritual and performative peace. The author argues for a normative ideal of 'weak policing' as the democratic midpoint between violent control and uncontrolled violence.
Research suggests that some parts of the Alpine Fault, particularly around Hokitika and Greymouth, may experience strong ground shaking more often than previously thought. The study found evidence of a 19th-century earthquake along the fault's northeastern end, indicating that smaller earthquakes could occur between large rupture events.
Researchers at FAU will develop a mathematical model to optimize social and physical engagement in older adults. The goal is to counter age-related decline and promote brain health.
An 81-year-old midnight snapper caught off the coast of Western Australia has become the oldest recorded tropical reef fish, surpassing the previous record by two decades. The study found that long-lived fish are generally considered vulnerable to fishing pressure, highlighting the need for sustainable management of commercial fisheries.
A protein called CatSper1 acts as a molecular 'barcode', helping determine which sperm cells survive to fertilize an egg. The study's findings may enable new approaches to treating infertility by understanding the selection process in the female reproductive tract.
A recent study found that only about 60% of patients with coronary artery disease, stroke, or peripheral artery disease receive the recommended statin therapy. Despite a decrease in drug cost, disparities persist in statin use among different age groups, genders, and racial backgrounds.
A new simulation approach accurately depicts the role of elusive particles called neutrinos in the evolution of the universe. The results show that neutrinos suppress dark matter clustering and are correlated with massive galaxy clusters.
Researchers used a trans-omic approach to map the total landscape of diabetes regulation in mice. They found that obese mice lack rapid responses to glucose and instead use slower methods like changing gene expression.
Researchers have developed an AI-based algorithm called OxyGAN to accurately measure tissue oxygenation from single snapshots. This approach uses a conditional generative adversarial network to learn realistic output images and determine correct reconstructions for given input data, demonstrating robustness in measuring oxygen levels.
The 2020 Golden Goose Award winners made significant breakthroughs in COVID-19 vaccine development, leveraging existing knowledge of coronaviruses and the human immune system. Their research has led to several vaccine candidates currently in Phase 3 clinical trials for effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 infection.
States with high rates of high school football participation and limited gender equality resisted implementing concussion regulations, while those with higher female labor force participation adopted them earlier. Researchers found a significant correlation between SEC affiliation and resistance to concussion legislation.
A NTU Singapore study suggests that family caregivers of the terminally ill who have built up self-determination are motivated and satisfied in their caregiving. The researchers found that this concept is equally important as pragmatic interventions focused on external circumstances.
A recent study found that over one-third of pregnant and postpartum women experienced clinically significant levels of depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms. The researchers also discovered that those with pre-existing diagnoses were more likely to experience elevated psychiatric distress.
The COVID-19 vaccine's effectiveness and risks require transparent communication to build trust and achieve herd immunity. Healthcare professionals must provide comprehensive information on the pros and cons of vaccination to influence uptake.
A new method developed by Cornell University researchers can inject fairness into political redistricting. The 'Fairmandering' data tool creates billions of potential electoral maps for each state and then algorithmically identifies possibilities meeting desired criteria for fairness.