Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found a link between yoga and increased Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) levels, which may help alleviate depressive symptoms. Completing one yoga class per week can maintain elevated GABA levels.
Researchers have identified a potential vaccine to prevent respiratory infections in humans by understanding how the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) hides from the immune system. A mutated form of HMPV was created, which triggers a stronger innate immune response, effectively preventing infection and promoting an adaptive immune response.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital finds that nearly a quarter of antibiotic prescriptions filled by Medicaid recipients were not associated with a clinic visit, raising concerns about the effectiveness of efforts to curb inappropriate prescribing. The study highlights a key area missed by current policies aimed at reducing an...
The Orroral Valley Fire has burned 62,988 hectares of land in just one week, with the Australian Capital Territory under a State of Emergency. NASA satellites detected the fire and provided critical information to aid in firefighting efforts, saving all structures in the region.
A study reveals that pair living played a key role in the evolution of social systems in primates, serving as a stepping stone for group living. The research analyzed genetic data and behavioral observations of 362 primate species, finding that pair living was crucial for transitions among different forms of social complexity.
A recent study found that a reduction in air pollution in Europe has led to fewer extremely cold days, as the decrease in aerosol particles caused changes in the wintertime Northern Hemisphere polar jet stream. This suggests that aerosols have a stronger impact on extreme winter weather than greenhouse gases at regional scales.
A Rutgers study found that online images of men and women in certain occupations tend to reinforce existing gender stereotypes. The research analyzed search results from four digital media platforms and compared them to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' data, revealing prevalent biases in librarianship, nursing, computer programming...
Researchers developed an antibody cocktail that protects nonhuman primates against the related Sudan ebolavirus through in vitro and rodent studies. The treatment showed effectiveness in protecting against the virus, which has caused eight outbreaks and 412 deaths since 1976.
A study examined water chemistry, macroinvertebrate community health, and microbial community structure in 25 streams with varying levels of oil and gas development intensity. The researchers found no significant associations between OG development intensity and chemical tracers or measures of ecosystem health.
Scientists investigated allolysis, a phenomenon where bacteria kill genetically identical neighbors under certain conditions. This process may help develop new antibacterial medicines by targeting community dynamics rather than individual cell killing.
Researchers calculated average initial HIV ART regimen costs from 2012 to 2018, finding a significant decrease in some regions and a steady increase in others. The study highlights the impact of high ART costs on HIV treatment outcomes in the US.
Researchers developed a microfluidic device to assess tumor cells' physical ability to adhere, which could improve cancer prognosis. Weakly adherent cells are more likely to migrate and invade other tissues, increasing the risk of tumor recurrence.
A new study shows that a single dose of the Army-developed Zika vaccine can induce potent cross-neutralizing antibody responses against both Zika and dengue viruses. Researchers found that these antibodies, called MZ4, protected against both viruses in a mouse model of infection.
A newly identified compound, C1, is a covalent gamma-secretase inhibitor that blocks the production of amyloids by inhibiting the enzyme's activity on the amyloid precursor protein. This approach avoids traditional enzyme inhibitors' severe side effects and shows promise for treating Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have demonstrated a new way to control electrical currents in materials by leveraging electron spin and orbital rotation. This breakthrough enables metal-insulator transitions, which could lead to new electronic, magnetic, and sensing applications.
A Northwestern University study found that 45% of antibiotic prescriptions for Medicaid patients lacked a clear reason, highlighting concerns about antibiotic overuse. The research used Medicaid claims data to determine the context in which antibiotics were prescribed, revealing gaps in current ambulatory stewardship policies.
Researchers designed acoustically driven microrobots capable of fast unidirectional locomotion and surface slipping. The robots' thrust forces were significantly stronger than those of microorganisms, enabling deployment in the human vascular system for medical purposes.
Ultrafine particles (UFPs) formed through photooxidation of organic compounds are a major source of urban pollution. Existing particles inhibit new particle formation, suggesting controlling primary emissions or removing existing particles could worsen pollution.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has renewed a $20 million partnership with Colorado State University (CSU) to improve community resilience planning for natural hazards. The center, which has developed the IN-CORE modeling system, will now apply its findings to actual communities over the next five years.
A team at Tohoku University discovered that BACH1 facilitates pancreatic cancer spread by reducing cell-to-cell adhesion. Silencing or overexpressing BACH1 in pancreatic cancer cells reduced metastasis and improved survival rates.
A new Boston University School of Public Health study found that two million more Americans avoided health care because of inability to pay or lack of insurance at the end of 2017 compared to 2016. The reversal was particularly pronounced in non-expansion states, where low-income residents were hardest hit.
The researchers are developing advanced fibers for body armor with improved ballistic performance. The goal is to increase energy absorption and dissipation, leading to greater protection for military personnel. The project involves hybridizing UHMWPE fibers with carbon nanotubes and testing various manufacturing and testing methods.
A study by the University of British Columbia and other institutions found that merit-based grants are the most effective way to provide student aid. The current system of grants and loans has significant long-term value, with a $1000 increase in grants per year leading to a long-run gain in GDP of close to one percent.
Firefly beetles are threatened by habitat loss and artificial light, with pesticides posing additional problems. The authors propose four primary goals to improve firefly prospects: preserving suitable habitats, controlling light pollution, reducing insecticide use, and developing sustainable tourism guidelines.
A new deep learning model can identify sleep stages with high accuracy, opening up new avenues for diagnostics and treatment of sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea. The model's accuracies are equivalent to those of experienced physicians, but it has the benefit of being systematic and faster.
Researchers have identified a unique archaeal protein complex with a five-column tholos-like architecture, featuring a spacious center that can accommodate biomolecules. This discovery provides insight into the molecular evolution between archaeal and eukaryotic proteins.
A study of 3,537 children found that 40% go without treatment for 60% of the time, with lower socio-economic families more likely to drop off medication. The research suggests that consistent treatment is crucial for managing ADHD, a chronic condition affecting around 1 in 20 Australian children.
Researchers found that physical activity was a protective factor against diet lapses in a real-world environment study. Exercise reduced the risk of overeating by more than half when participants engaged in 60 minutes of physical activity, compared to those who didn't exercise.
A study found that parent coaching interventions enhanced the use of parentese and parent-child turn-taking in conversations, leading to increased language development by 18 months. Socioeconomic status did not affect the observed links between parental speaking style and infant language development.
A new CU Boulder-led study finds that abrupt permafrost thaw is a significant contributor to climate change, with potential carbon emissions doubling previous estimates. The rapid thawing of permafrost in the Arctic region has severe consequences on landscapes and ecosystems.
Soil pathogens like Pythium ultimum spread more easily under heat and drought stress, causing widespread crop failure. Soils from Scotland are less resistant to these pathogens than those from Hungary.
The UT-designed board game, 'Taphonomy: Dead and Fossilized,' teaches key concepts about how fossils form through a fun, interactive experience. The study found that 71% of students thought the game helped them learn about fossilization, and it was preferred to regular lab work by many.
A team of researchers has found a way to derive quantum field theoretical descriptions for many-particle systems directly from experimental measurements. This breakthrough could simplify the study of complex quantum systems and provide new insights into fundamental questions in physics.
A recent study by researchers Allison Gabriel, Chris Rosen, and others found that displaying positive emotions authentically at work leads to higher levels of support and trust from co-workers. In contrast, faking emotions through surface acting can result in emotional exhaustion.
Researchers discovered that exposure to flickering light at 40 Hz causes brains to release signaling chemicals that may help fight Alzheimer's disease. The study found a surge of cytokines and phosphoproteins, which could support neural health and activate microglia to clean up amyloid beta plaques.
A University of Oklahoma-led study has found a strong correlation between paddy rice area and atmospheric methane concentration in monsoon Asia. The research used satellite data to create annual maps of paddy rice, showing that the spatial-temporal dynamics of methane concentration are closely linked to rice growth.
A recent study examines the causes of death among pregnant and postpartum women in Louisiana, revealing a disturbing trend. Homicide was found to be a leading cause of death for these women, highlighting a pressing need for increased support and resources to address this critical public health issue.
The Value Transformation Framework (VTF) provides a step-by-step guide for healthcare organizations to shift to value-based care, focusing on improving quality of care and outcomes. The framework addresses three domains: Infrastructure, Care Delivery, and People, with 15 Change Areas offering flexible steps toward improvement.
Researchers discovered that ants must smell and correctly decode chemical markers on intruder ants to trigger aggressive behavior, defaulting to acceptance otherwise. This 'lock and key' mechanism may contribute to the evolutionary success of ants.
The ACIP released its 2020 Recommended Immunization Schedule for adults with changes to vaccine administration and shared clinical decision-making. The schedule includes new instructions for discussing HPV vaccination, pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, and meningitis B vaccines.
A new study by the University of Alberta found that pregnant women with elevated fasting blood sugar levels are at a higher risk of complications, including large babies, high blood pressure, and preterm births. Despite receiving diabetes drug treatments, these women were more likely to experience adverse outcomes.
Researchers discovered three new Araniella and Neoscona orb-weaver spider species, including one named after Villani, highlighting the need for taxonomic research to protect biodiversity. The study reveals the importance of conservation efforts in preserving species diversity.
Researchers developed a wearable device that monitors body chemistry to improve athletic performance and detect potential health problems, such as dehydration. The device can be used in military training and competitive sports, with applications including tracking athletic recovery.
The study maps the impact of current and future river dams on fish habitats worldwide, revealing that habitat fragmentation will increase by a quarter or more in tropical regions like the Amazon, Niger, Congo, Salween, and Mekong river basins. This will disrupt the life cycles of freshwater fish species, causing extinction risk.
A new handheld bioprinter has shown promising results in treating full-thickness burns by depositing bioink directly onto wounds. The device uses mesenchymal stromal cells to support local cell growth and reduce inflammation, scarring, and contraction.
Researchers have devised a new type of chimeric antigen-receptor (CAR) T cell that can be reversibly inactivated with small molecules, offering novel solutions to the safety concerns of CAR-T therapies. The 'STOP-CAR-T' system has been shown to work as well as traditional CAR-T systems and can be controlled by an approved drug.
Regular aerobic exercise training improves brain glucose metabolism and higher-order thinking abilities, including executive function. The study suggests that exercise can potentially enhance brain and cognitive functions that are sensitive to Alzheimer's disease.
A large study of nearly 30,000 adults found that eating processed meat increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and death. The study also found no significant association between unprocessed red meat consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease or death.
A recent study has trained dogs to detect citrus crops infected by the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) via smell. The canines achieved detection rates of over 99% accuracy, outperforming conventional methods in simulating disease control scenarios.
KnowEnG, a Knowledge Engine for Genomics, guides researchers through complex genomic datasets by relating genes of interest to existing knowledge. The platform enables seamless analysis and interpretation, removing obstacles faced by biomedical researchers.
Researchers at Helmholtz Zentrum München developed a novel therapeutic approach to cure chronic hepatitis B infection. By knocking down the expression of the virus' proteins, they enabled successful vaccination with TherVacB, a novel therapeutic vaccine. The therapy aims to cure existing chronic diseases by activating immune cells.
Researchers at UCF's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering have determined that ethanol is the best biofuel for producing minimal soot during combustion. The study also identified chemical pathways involved in combustion reactions, which can be used to further research into reducing soot production.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered a new class of material, 'non-sticky gels,' that forms when colloidal particles behave as liquid crystals. This breakthrough enables the development of gel formulations with improved mechanical properties and longer shelf-life, addressing a major limitation in many products.
A team of researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering has developed a novel polymeric material that enhances oxygen permeability in fuel cells, generating more power while reducing the need for expensive materials like platinum. This breakthrough could drive greater adoption of hydrogen fuel cells in transportation and beyond.
Laura Sales, an assistant professor at UC Riverside, has received a $720,000 NSF CAREER Award to study dark matter content in dwarf galaxies. Her research aims to refine the Lambda Cold Dark Matter model and address questions about galaxy formation and evolution.
A phase I clinical trial has confirmed the safety and effectiveness of a monoclonal antibody in neutralizing henipaviruses, which have pandemic potential. The antibody, m102.4, was found to be well-tolerated in healthy volunteers, with no serious adverse events reported.
Researchers at MIT have devised a lithium metal anode that could improve battery performance by reducing stress on the solid electrolyte layer. The new design utilizes a three-dimensional nanoarchitecture, allowing the lithium to flow like a liquid while maintaining its solid structure.
Research project in Ebrach Forest investigates optimal dead wood placement to promote biodiversity, with sun-exposed trunks showing rare species but also numerous shaded species. The study was funded by €500,000 and will run until 2023.
A new study found a significant increase in political TV ads referencing guns, with gun regulation messages growing by 369% and pro-gun rights ads decreasing by 45%. Gun policy has emerged as a key issue in candidates' campaign platforms, with most ads supporting the Second Amendment.
A study published in Clinical Cancer Research found that circulating tumor cells were associated with a decrease in relapse-free survival at six months, and this association persisted at a 54-month longer-term follow-up. This suggests that CTC assessment may be useful in identifying patients at risk for relapse who could benefit from m...