A team of researchers has identified a crucial ion channel protein in mast cells that regulates calcium levels, which are essential for the activation of many types of immune cells. This discovery has significant implications for the treatment of allergies and autoimmune diseases.
Researchers from UConn and Wesleyan University found high levels of mercury in the Still River, exceeding EPA guidance levels for weekly consumption. The study suggests that legacy mercury pollution is persisting in the environment and impacting the food web, with bioavailable forms posing a significant health risk to humans and wildlife.
A recent study published in American Journal of Roentgenology found that lung ultrasound was highly sensitive for detecting COVID-19 abnormalities, with B-lines, thickened pleural line, and pulmonary consolidation being the most commonly observed features.
Researchers found that some desert mosses in the Mojave Desert grow under translucent quartz pebbles, using them as natural sunshades to retain moisture and reduce heat. This unique adaptation allows these mosses to thrive in extremely dry conditions.
A recent research development introduces a pioneering theory of three-pattern decomposition of global atmospheric circulation. This new system improves the accuracy of climate prediction by unifying atmospheric motions in different latitudes. The theory has been praised as an original and innovative achievement with international level.
Researchers at Tomsk Polytechnic University have developed a new method to significantly increase the operation range and stability of optical tweezers. This technology uses dielectric particles to form a photonic jet, which acts as a trap or tweezers, allowing for more precise control over micron-sized objects.
A new study shows that IUDs significantly reduce menstrual symptoms in adolescents with disabilities, including heavy bleeding and cramping. The research found that 65% of young women reported less bleeding and 95% kept their IUD after one year.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found a significant decline in emergent medical, surgical, and obstetric hospitalizations during the early phase of COVID-19. The study reported a 35% decrease in weekly hospitalizations overall and a 45% decrease in hospitalizations not related to COVID-19.
A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases suggests that phage therapy could be a game-changer in treating complex bacterial infections in prosthetic joints. The treatment has shown promising results in patients with biofilm-related infections, which are notoriously difficult to eradicate with antibiotics.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have successfully redesigned a key protein from the coronavirus, enabling faster and more stable vaccine production. The new design, called HexaPro, produces up to 10 times more protein than an earlier version, potentially reducing vaccine doses or speeding up production.
Researchers at Drexel University have discovered a new MXene material that can absorb electromagnetic interference rather than just deflecting it. The material, titanium carbonitride, is up to 3-5 times more effective at blocking EMI than copper foil, offering a sustainable solution for containing electromagnetic pollution.
Researchers discovered a shared skeletal structure between African and American crocodiles, suggesting a close evolutionary relationship. This finding proposes that crocodiles migrated from Africa to America, reaching the Americas via Australasia around 7 million years ago.
A new native Hawaiian land snail species has been discovered after a decade-long survey of the islands. The discovery brings a glimmer of hope for conservation efforts, with scientists describing a small candy-striped snail that shows pronounced variation in coloring and is less than two-tenths of an inch long.
A study discovered that some people in Europe and South America carry a Neandertal variant of an ion channel gene, leading to increased pain sensitivity. The gene's variant is associated with a lower pain threshold compared to the modern human version.
Researchers found that patients treated with radioactive iodine and surgery for hyperthyroidism have a higher risk of dying from solid cancer compared to those treated with anti-thyroid drugs. The study suggests that the long-term effects of these treatments on cancer mortality rates are significant.
A study by Portland State University researchers reveals that the presence of cyclists does not significantly slow down cars on low speed, low volume urban roads without bicycle lanes. The 1 mph differential in speed caused by cyclists was found to be negligible from a practical perspective.
The latest Hubble image of Saturn reveals small atmospheric storms in the planet's northern hemisphere, with pronounced banding visible. The ringed planet's atmosphere is mostly hydrogen and helium, with seasonal changes due to increased sunlight also producing a reddish haze.
Researchers found that blocking IL-17A increases the presence of other inflammatory molecules produced by Th17 cells, immune cells involved in neuroinflammation. The study suggests a combination approach involving both IL-17A and IL-24 may be more effective in treating autoimmune disorders of the nervous system.
The new CGBE1 tool enables efficient induction of C-to-G mutations while minimizing unwanted changes, offering potential for treating disease-associated genetic mutations. Co-authors envision CGBE1 as useful for research applications, enabling introduction of specific C-to-G mutations.
Researchers found that coral reefs in the ETP region have adapted to heat stress, with some recovering within 10-15 years after El Niño events. The study suggests that ETP corals' high reproductive rates, tolerant symbiotic algae, and geographical patterns may contribute to their resilience.
A recent study found that noisy boats and ships can affect the prey response of young fishes, leading to decreased activity and reduced swimming distance. This can result in slower escape responses and increased mortality rates among juvenile reef fish.
The University of Texas at Arlington's (UTA) TMAC has received $3.3 million in federal funding to support small and medium-sized businesses in Texas during the pandemic. The funding will help manufacturers reshore supply chains and restore operations, including those producing health-related products.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens found that immunity to influenza accumulates during childhood and declines after 40-50 years of age. The researchers developed novel metrics to define key features of antibody profiles, which provide valuable tools for analyzing complex immune responses.
Research reveals Arctic mosquito populations are driven by food quality rather than predator density, contradicting initial hypotheses. The study found that ponds with better food quality had lower population growth rates and higher larval mortality.
Case studies published by Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine found that plant-based diets rich in whole carbohydrates improved health markers in individuals with type 1 diabetes. The diets led to decreased insulin needs, stabilized blood sugar control, and reduced cholesterol levels.
Researchers developed a computational tool called PolyA-miner to analyze alternative polyadenylation (APA) sites in RNA strands. The tool precisely identifies novel APA sites that were not detected by traditional analytical approaches, revealing new insights into gene regulation.
A new study pushes back the earliest evidence for smallpox infection by nearly 1,000 years to the 7th century in northern Europe. The discovery of a previously unknown clade of the smallpox virus suggests it may have been widespread throughout Viking Age Europe.
A team of researchers used a mouse model to test the best therapeutic option for a type of relapse sarcoma. The study found that two treatment regimens administered to a patient with lung metastasis helped extend their disease-free period to 46 months.
Research finds that frequent social media use can negatively impact depressive symptoms among LGBTQ youth, but a social media-free summer camp shows promise in reducing symptoms. After attending the camp, participants experienced a significant reduction in depressive symptoms, particularly those with high pre-camp social media use.
L-Grb2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (L-Grb2) has promising antitumor activity in preclinical models of ovarian and uterine carcinoma, reducing angiogenesis and increasing apoptosis. L-Grb2's therapeutic efficacy suggests a potential new target for cancer treatment.
A Canadian study found that for-profit long-term care homes had a higher incidence of COVID-19 outbreaks with more cases and deaths. The research suggests that outdated design standards and chain ownership in for-profit homes are key risk factors for transmission and severe outcomes.
A nationwide survey of dragonfly larvae has confirmed the use of these insects to measure mercury pollution in US national parks, providing a new tool for researchers. The study found that about two-thirds of aquatic sites studied within national parks are polluted with moderate-to-extreme levels of mercury.
A new study reveals widespread illegal fishing by dark fleets operating in the disputed waters between Korea, Japan, and Russia. Hundreds of Chinese vessels were found to be fishing in North Korean waters, violating UN sanctions and catching nearly as much Pacific flying squid as Japan and South Korea combined.
Climate shift, forest loss and fires have led to the expansion of Amazon fires beyond flammable savannas to moist tropical forests. The fire season was initialized earlier than two decades ago due to extreme climate events making the forest more vulnerable.
Researchers at Okayama University developed a novel 3D cell culture model that accurately replicates the fibrotic components of pancreatic cancer. The model allows for the tuning of fibrosis levels, enabling a better understanding of how it hinders cancer treatment and its therapeutic ramifications.
New research finds that graphene flakes can attract water at their edges but repel it on their surface, making them a new generation of surfactant. This property allows graphene to stabilise oil and water mixtures, opening up possibilities for environmentally friendly extraction of minerals and crude oil.
Researchers develop siRNA-based treatment for psoriasis using ionic-liquid technology, reducing inflammation and symptoms without systemic side effects. The delivery method opens up new possibilities for treating debilitating dermatological disorders.
Researchers discovered a population of brain-resident immune cells that transfer information from the body to the brain environment. The presence of these cells is crucial for normal brain development in mice, and their absence affects behavior and brain development.
A new, lightweight device has been developed to aid stroke patients in their rehabilitation, improving walking abilities and preventing falls. The device uses a spring-cam mechanism to generate greater ankle push-off power, aiding knee flexion during walking and reducing the risk of falls.
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene highlights the importance of understanding COVID-19's origins to prevent future pandemics. The journal emphasizes the need for increased funding for medical research and public health measures, warning that politics can undermine these efforts.
A study by Purdue University reveals that the primary role of PTSD service dogs is to disrupt episodes of anxiety, with trained tasks being used an average of 3.16 times per day. The dogs' trained behaviors, such as nudging or licking veterans to focus, were also reported to be highly important.
A randomized trial found that IV indomethacin was more effective in successfully closing hemodynamically significant PDAs in very low birth weight infants. The study showed a success rate of 55% for IV indomethacin versus 6% for IV acetaminophen.
A new study published in Nature Communications suggests that glioblastoma tumors may originate from a pool of stem cells located in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the brain, which is distinct from where the tumor becomes lethal. This finding offers potential new options for treating this aggressive brain cancer.
Researchers found loss of taste and smell to be predictive symptoms of COVID-19, contrary to hospital data. Primary care physicians' unique perspective sheds light on the limitations of relying solely on hospital data in public health policy.
Researchers are working on experimental gene-based vaccines using harmless viruses or DNA/RNA to deliver genetic information to human cells. The technology is fast but largely unproven, and concerns remain about neutralization levels and safety. Multiple types of vaccines will likely be needed to ensure effective immunity.
Tropical Storm Gonzalo has broken a record as the earliest seventh named storm on record in the Atlantic basin. Cloud top temperatures captured by NASA's Aqua satellite indicate strong storms with high rainfall potential.
Researchers found that some mutations actually generate 'noise' that can counteract cancer development, leading to a dead end. New drug combinations aim to reactivate suppressed pathways to disrupt oncogenic signal transduction in cancer cells.
A study by GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel predicts North Atlantic surface temperature variations several years into the future using wind field analysis. The researchers suggest a mechanism where winds cause changes in ocean circulation, resulting in anomalous heat accumulation and warming of the eastern North Atlantic.
Newly released CCC19 data show a racial disparity in access to Remdesivir, an antiviral drug that shortens hospital stays, and increased mortality associated with dexamethasone, a steroid. Black patients were half as likely to receive Remdesivir as white patients.
A genomic signature associates with differential expression of glucose transporters and hexokinase proteins in prostate cancers with low PSMA expression. This allows for improved uptake of 18F-FDG compared to PSMA-targeted radioligands, making it an attractive imaging tool for neuroendocrine prostate cancer patients.
Researchers uncover novel quantum effects in a quantized topological phase, providing insights into a 30-year-old theory and demonstrating a proof-of-principle method to discover new topological magnets. The discovery opens up promising platforms for dissipationless current and future green technologies.
Researchers tracked seven whitespotted eagle rays for 119.6 hours, revealing their fine-scale movement patterns and habitat use. The study found that rays prefer shallower waters during the night and faster movement in ocean habitats.
Researchers propose using repetitive DNA sequences, known as flipons, to create logic circuits and perform calculations. These sequences can form different DNA structures, enabling the creation of genetic programs that can be used to overcome environmental challenges.
KAIST researchers used AFM to analyze the effects of acidic and sugary drinks on human tooth enamel at the nanoscale level. The study found significant increases in surface roughness and decreases in elastic modulus with immersion time, highlighting the need for thorough studies on early-stage enamel erosion.
Cardiac patients facing COVID-19-related anxiety are less likely to receive necessary medical attention, according to a new study. The research highlights the urgent need for accessible and empathetic care during the pandemic.
Researchers found that brain organizes knowledge learned from separate experiences into a structural form like a map, allowing for quick adaptation to new situations. The study suggests that the human brain uses the same codes to represent abstract information as it does physical space.
The study observed changes in waitlist inactivations and additions, donor recovery rates, and heart transplant volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes varied by region and were likely influenced by pandemic-related factors such as lockdowns and social distancing measures.
A case series examines the association of interleukin 7 (IL-7) immunotherapy with restored host protective immunity in patients with severe COVID-19 and immunosuppression. The study found that IL-7 treatment led to increased lymphocyte counts, suggesting a potential therapeutic benefit.
A new study by Dr Katerina Johnson and Dr Philip Burnet found that antibiotic treatment in early life impairs brain signalling pathways for social behaviour and pain regulation in mice. The most striking finding was the reduced expression of receptors mediating endorphin, oxytocin, and vasopressin signalling in young animals treated wi...
A team of researchers has developed a simple, disposable device to capture aerosol droplets during esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGD), a common procedure that exposes staff to COVID-19 risk. The device comprises a mouthpiece with a nonwoven fabric covering the patient's face, providing an additional barrier against airborne transmission.