Researchers at McGill University have discovered a protein called TACAN that plays a crucial role in sensing mechanical pain. The study provides hope for the development of powerful new analgesic drugs to treat chronic pain conditions.
University of Wyoming researchers contributed to the first quantifiable observation of cloud seeding using radar and gauges, which demonstrated significant snowfall increase in a western U.S. region. The study, dubbed SNOWIE, used modern technology to track seeding plumes and isolate snow added through cloud seeding.
New research reveals how glacier algae thrive in extreme icy environments and cause widespread darkening of the Greenland Ice Sheet. The algae produce a phenolic pigment that captures sunlight energy for melt generation, driving surface melt increases by up to 10%.
Researchers developed liquid crystalline gels capable of underwater photothermal actuation, inducing macroscopic shape changes that drove locomotion. The gels exhibited temperature-dependent bending and oscillation, allowing for various types of underwater movement, including crawling, walking, jumping, and swimming.
Researchers at Yale University found a unique brain signature associated with pro-social and anti-social decisions in monkeys. Monkeys prefer to drink alone when faced with the option of sharing fruit juice with another monkey.
Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology have developed a 3D imaging system that uses light's quantum properties to create images 40,000 times crisper than current technologies. The system, which employs Quantum Parametric Mode Sorting (QPMS), reduces single-photon noise by exponentially cleaning up noisy images.
A new study warns that ocean warming will lead to the loss of commercial fish species, with tropical nations facing significant economic and ecological impacts. The research highlights the lack of policy interventions to address this issue, but suggests that international cooperation could mitigate losses and preserve resources.
Ethan Yang, a Lehigh University professor, receives a NSF CAREER award to study the effectiveness of rain gardens and rain barrels in reducing urban flooding. He plans to use smart sensors and AI-powered modeling to monitor and analyze the impact of green infrastructure on flood mitigation.
Researchers have found that autoantibodies against the NMDA receptor can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety when they enter the brain. The level of these autoantibodies increases with age and is higher in people subjected to chronic stress, but may also play a positive role in reducing depressive symptoms.
A team of complexity scientists have developed a 'meme' model for multiple diseases, revealing that interacting contagious diseases follow the same complex spreading patterns as social trends. The study found that even one more contagion can dramatically shift dynamics and trigger macroscopic jumps in epidemic size.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a decentralized algorithm that enables swarms of robots to form shapes and avoid collisions. The algorithm views the ground as a grid, allowing each robot to sense its closest neighbors and make local decisions without global information.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham suggest integrating various theories to inform clinical practice. They propose a new approach that acknowledges patients' sense of self is disrupted in schizophrenia. By focusing on how patients can lead fulfilling lives with their symptoms, clinicians can improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers at Stanford University have found a way to identify and control colorful defects in hexagonal boron nitride, a material that can emit bright light as a single photon. This breakthrough has the potential to create predictable sources of quantum light, a crucial component for future quantum technologies.
African American cancer survivors who engage in regular physical activity report higher health-related quality of life and lower depression. The study found that increases in physical activity correlated with improvements in quality of life.
Researchers at Utah State University developed a novel sensing optical imaging nanoprobe to track cellular events leading to obesity. The probes enable researchers to monitor multiple surface receptors on individual cells, providing an unprecedented view of cellular surface activity.
Researchers have identified a jellyfish-like animal, Henneguya salminicola, that lacks a mitochondrial genome and aerobic respiration. This finding sheds light on the evolutionary transition from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism in certain multicellular animals.
Researchers at LSU found that cats were less stressed when played cat-specific music, with lower cat stress scores and handling scale scores compared to classical music and no music. The study suggests that cat-specific music may benefit both cat welfare and owner experience.
Climate change is projected to reduce the suitable area for growing most olive varieties in Andalusia, particularly Nevadillo, Manzanilla, Lechín, and Picudo, due to less rainfall and soil humidity loss. However, the Picual variety may see an increase in suitable areas in higher regions like Alpujarra.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute have achieved unprecedented control over the shape transformations and division process of artificial cells by anchoring low densities of proteins to the cell membranes. This simplified mechanism does not depend on precise molecular interactions, making it a promising tool for synthetic biology.
A recent camera trap study in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park in southern Sumatra has captured images of dozens of species, including critically endangered Sumatran tigers and Sunda pangolins. The study provides valuable insights into the habits and habitats of these rare beasts.
A clinical trial has found that a combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab immunotherapies can shrink tumors in 44% of patients with high-grade neuroendocrine cancer. The trial, DART, offers new hope for rare cancer treatment, which accounts for almost a quarter of all cancers diagnosed worldwide.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed an affordable oral therapy to help broken bones heal faster in people with diabetes. The therapy, grown in plants, uses a protein called insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) to stimulate bone-building cells and promote bone regeneration.
Algae found in glaciers thrive under extreme conditions, absorbing UV light and producing energy to drive surface melt. Darkening of the Greenland Ice Sheet accelerates surface melt, with algal biomass contributing to its melt, according to a new study.
The NASA InSight lander has recorded over 450 marsquakes on Mars, providing insights into the planet's internal structure and tectonic activity. The data reveals a stronger attenuation in the upper mantle compared to the lower mantle, indicating a more fractured crust.
Researchers have described the overall structure of IgE antibodies, a key molecule in allergic diseases. The study provides insights into basic mechanisms of allergic reactions and may lead to more effective treatments.
Researchers found a small mortality benefit for continuing mammography screening in women between 70-74 years old, but no benefit for those over 75. Women who continued screening were less likely to receive aggressive therapies for breast cancer.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered that activity-based learning with technology fosters student creativity and innovation. By incorporating digital tools, professors can encourage students to develop original ideas and work collaboratively towards novel solutions.
Research reveals some extra chromosomes in cancer cells can inhibit metastasis and even increase survival rates for patients. A study published in Developmental Cell found beneficial aneuploidies associated with increased survival, contrary to the long-held notion that aneuploidy always skews gene activity towards aggressive cancers.
Fireflies face numerous threats, including habitat loss and artificial light pollution, which can harm their bioluminescent displays and overall survival. Conservation efforts, such as preserving habitats and reducing insecticide use, can help improve firefly populations and mitigate these threats.
A thick buildup of organic matter on the forest floor can complicate efforts to use prescribed fire as a forest management tool. Controlled burns require specific prescriptions to minimize duff smoldering and prevent mortality of large, older pines and potential ecological consequences below ground.
Neuroscientists at the University of South Florida have developed a method to regulate eye pressure, which is sufficient to cause and explain glaucoma. The new technique enables direct knowledge and control of eye pressure, removing experimental variability and enabling systematic studies.
Adequate sleep is crucial for teenagers to navigate challenging social situations and cope with ethnic or racial bias. The study found that getting a good night's sleep helps teens problem-solve more effectively and seek peer support when faced with hardships.
Research finds high levels of selenium in California's Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta fish, causing spinal deformities and affecting their ear bones. The study provides insights into how the fish encounter selenium, shedding light on potential management strategies.
A new study published in Cortex journal reveals that visual rehabilitation therapy improved vision in almost 80% of stroke and traumatic brain injury patients. The NeuroEyeCoach therapy was shown to improve daily activities, such as navigating surroundings, identifying obstacles, and avoiding collisions.
The Rice University team has introduced an inexpensive organic synthesis technique that catalyzes the transfer of nitrogen atoms to olefins, making valuable pharmaceutical precursors. The process combines nitrogen and hydrogen atoms in triangular aziridine products, which are readily available to react with other agents.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have identified a potential link between new cancer treatments and tuberculosis. The study found that immune checkpoint inhibitors can lead to an excessive immune response, increasing the growth of bacteria that cause TB disease.
Researchers used lidar technology to study the ancient Maya road, revealing over 8,000 tree-shrouded structures along its 100-kilometer length. The road connected two cities, Cobá and Yaxuná, and was built to incorporate preexisting settlements, suggesting a geo-political motivation.
A study analyzing national survey data found that cannabis use increased significantly among women, racial/ethnic minorities, and those with higher incomes or education levels. The proportion of adults who reported past-year marijuana use rose from 2.4% to 4.2% between 2015-2018.
The discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 systems has revolutionized pharmaceutical research by allowing for industrial-scale gene editing and functional genomic screening. This enables the identification of new biological targets for precision medicines and the exploration of mechanisms of drug resistance and sensitivity ahead of clinical trials.
Research at the Regenstrief Institute found that hospital admission and neurological consultations are associated with better quality care for people with transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). Patients who received a neurological consultation had higher care quality, while speech impairment was linked to increased hospital admittance.
New preclinical research suggests that targeting overactive immune cells can improve traumatic brain injury recovery and modulate chronic neurotoxic effects. The study found that a therapeutic strategy to inhibit microglia cells after TBI led to better motor and cognitive performance in mice.
Researchers from CNIO and Cabimer reveal DNA topological problems cause endogenous DNA breaks leading to lymphoma development. The study highlights a strong causal relationship between topological problems and cancer development in ATM-deficient lymphoid malignancies.
A study analyzing data from 49 countries and regions found that increased lifespan equality is associated with higher life expectancy. High reductions in mortality at young ages contribute to both increased life expectancy and greater lifespan equality.
Researchers reconstructed eight ancient Salmonella enterica genomes from human remains, revealing a link between the spread of farming culture and the emergence of human-adapted pathogens. The study highlights how constant exposure to pathogens enabled their evolution over 6,500 years.
Researchers at Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine have developed a way to accelerate functional muscle regeneration by integrating neural cells into 3D bioprinted skeletal muscle constructs. The study, published in Nature Communications, demonstrates the potential for these constructs to restore normal muscle weight and fu...
Researchers analyzed the acoustics of a bursting soap bubble to decipher the origin of the popping sound, finding that forces exerted by the liquid film create the pop. This study demonstrates how sound signatures can be harnessed to measure forces during violent events.
The study found that higher intakes of fibre and fruit were linked to a lower risk of ischaemic stroke, while eggs were associated with a higher risk of haemorrhagic stroke. The researchers recommend increasing fibre and fruit consumption to reduce the risk of ischaemic stroke.
Professor Mary-Anne Williams from the University of Technology Sydney wins a Google TensorFlow Faculty Award to develop educational content with TensorFlow 2.0 and design machine learning experiences. The award aims to support responsible AI technologies that people can understand and trust.
A new study by The Open University reveals UK special schools lack national progress routes for children with severe intellectual disabilities. This has resulted in teachers having no standardized way to track students' development, creating extra burdens on the schools.
A new study reveals half of young Australian women experience sexually-related personal distress, with 20.6% experiencing at least one female sexual dysfunction. Low self-image and psychotropic medication are major contributors to these issues.
A new supplement from The Gerontological Society of America outlines 10 research priorities to better support the needs of family caregivers. These priorities aim to address gaps in current literature and provide concrete directions for future research on family caregiving intervention.
A new algorithm can detect changes in gravity caused by earthquakes, potentially leading to earlier warnings and more accurate predictions. The signal is generated by the sudden shift in the earth's internal mass during an earthquake, and its detection could help identify strong earthquakes that may trigger tsunamis.
Researchers use lab-grown 'mini-brains' to detect harmful side effects of paroxetine on developing brain cells, revealing reduced synapse growth and support-cell populations. The study suggests mini-brains as a promising alternative to animal testing for detecting neurodevelopmental effects of drugs.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital used cutting-edge imaging technology to detect abnormally low levels of a key protein in the brains of young men with autism. The study suggests that these low levels may be linked to inflammation and metabolism, and could have important implications for understanding the origins of autism.
A new study suggests that a common blood-clotting agent may be effective in treating bleeding stroke, with researchers noting a trend towards reduced hemorrhage expansion in patients treated promptly. Further trials are underway to confirm these findings and explore the potential for this treatment to enter routine clinical practice.
Researchers have found that adding cilostazol, an antiplatelet medication used to treat leg pain, can prevent re-blockage of carotid artery stents within two years. The study showed a significant reduction in in-stent restenosis and cardiovascular events compared to other antiplatelet medications.
Researchers at Beckman Institute have developed a new probe named CoxFluor that selectively detects Cyclooxygenase-2, an enzyme driving cancer progression. The probe's ability to distinguish between COX-2 and COX-1 could lead to innovative anti-inflammatory and cancer therapy strategies.
Researchers found that a mere four glial cells in the worm's brain control the stress response in cells throughout its body, increasing lifespan by 75%. This discovery suggests that brain cells may play a crucial role in protecting muscles from wasting away, and potentially lead to new treatments for muscle atrophy and obesity.
Researchers identified a key strategy of cells to deal with misfolded proteins, where cells form aggregates to protect them from degradation. This approach is favored over fixing folding or destroying proteins, allowing for recovery under optimal conditions.
A study by Nora Szech and Jannis Engel reveals that consumers unconsciously use a single ethical aspect as an excuse for a less moral behavior regarding other aspects of the product. This 'indulgence effect' persists even after the purchase and can be used to justify selfish decisions.