A new study maps caesium and plutonium radionuclide concentrations in Swiss soils, tracing sources of nuclear fallout from 1960 to 2009. The research uses a caesium/plutonium ratio calculation method to distinguish between nuclear test fallout and the Chernobyl accident.
A study by University of Alberta ecologists reveals that industry-created borrow pits provide homes for beavers, supporting the survival of wolverines. The research, funded by various organizations, highlights the unexpected benefits of industrial development on local wildlife habitats.
The QUT Centre for Robotics will train researchers, engineers, and manufacturers with expertise to boost safety, quality, and productivity. The five-year centre will develop collaborative robotics applications to help Australian manufacturers compete globally.
A study by Emory Vaccine Center found that adjuvants can strengthen both rookie and veteran elements of the immune response to a vaccine containing H5N1. This has significant implications for developing universal flu vaccines against multiple strains, as well as optimizing responses against SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers have developed modified mRNAs with sulfur atoms that accelerate protein synthesis by at least 20 times, paving the way for efficient protein production and mRNA therapeutics. This breakthrough has significant implications for medical treatments, including vaccine therapy and protein replacement therapy.
The new method enables a wider range of materials with better control over their thermal and mechanical properties. Researchers used a mixture of two monomers to create materials tailored for various applications, including tires.
Researchers have discovered that at least 16 species of deep-sea fish have evolved ultra-black skin that absorbs most of the light, allowing them to blend in and avoid detection. The unique shape and arrangement of melanosomes in these fish's skin cells enables this remarkable camouflage.
Physicists at University of Utah pioneered a method to image virus-like particles in real time, revealing the lattice's dynamic nature. The discovery opens up potential new therapies by understanding how Gag and GagPol proteins rearrange, leading to viral maturation.
Chia-Ching Lin, a graduate student at UTA, has won the Leo Beranek Student Medal for Excellence in Noise Control Engineering. His research focused on gear noise and vibration control in automotive rear axle systems.
Research by UNSW Sydney and NSW DPI Fisheries found that artificial reefs in estuaries with limited natural reef can increase fish abundance significantly. The study revealed a 20-fold increase in fish populations in the reef areas compared to bare sand habitats, benefiting recreational fishing and environmental conservation.
Researchers used high-quality coral genomes to study variable responses to climate change and identify genetic variants associated with bleaching. They found a polygenic risk score could predict bleaching potential in the wild, while also revealing genetic diversity in heat stress response genes.
Inflammageing, an age-associated phenomenon of increased general inflammation, may inhibit overall immunity and reduce vaccination efficacy in older people. Strategies to mitigate related effects include senolytic drugs or anti-inflammatory therapies.
Researchers found COVID-19 patients with symptoms of inadequate blood supply to the lower extremities had larger clots and higher rates of amputation and death. In contrast, those with only leg symptoms were more likely to avoid amputation or death.
A review in European Geosciences Union's journal offers a roadmap for weaving Indigenous knowledge with modern research, focusing on the geosciences. This approach can provide insights into events erased from the geological record and support native communities in making informed decisions about potential hazards on their ancestral lands.
Researchers at Universitat Pompeu Fabra discovered that blood vessels communicate with sensory neurons through dynamic protrusions, allowing them to regulate cell growth and maintenance of stem cells. This communication is crucial for the development and regeneration of the peripheral nervous system.
Scientists identify ten regions of the genome linked to long lifespan, healthspan, and longevity, finding a potential link between iron metabolism and healthy aging. The study's findings suggest that maintaining healthy levels of iron in the blood could be key to slowing aging and living longer.
A global study led by Queen Mary University of London found that screening entire populations for breast and ovarian cancer genes can prevent millions more cases than current clinical practice. The research shows that cost-effective genetic testing can be implemented in high and upper-middle income countries to save lives.
A new study from Columbia University provides a blueprint for using genomics to help combat climate change by identifying corals that can adapt to warmer seas. Researchers analyzed genetic data from 237 samples collected at 12 locations along the Great Barrier Reef, finding multiple genetic variants associated with bleaching tolerance.
Researchers investigate how antibodies affect varying outcomes in coronavirus patients, with potential implications for vaccine efficacy and treatment approaches. The team aims to identify conditions under which antibody-dependent enhancement occurs and develop new assays for therapeutic antibody screening.
A study of 449 older adults found that individuals with subjective felt memory problems also exhibited measurable cognitive deficits associated with Alzheimer's disease. The findings suggest that early diagnosis and therapy development could benefit from these results.
A $204,000 grant from the NCI will support research on sustainability of telemedicine for rural cancer patients. The study aims to identify factors allowing telemedicine to be sustained over time and its impact on patients.
A study of 3267 men found that watching porn is associated with greater erectile dysfunction and lower satisfaction with sex. The research suggests that the type of porn watched may contribute to impaired erectile function, with 23% of men under-35 experiencing some level of erectile dysfunction.
Researchers found that recovered COVID-19 patients and even those infected with SARS 17 years ago possess virus-specific memory T cells, indicating long-lasting immunity. This discovery could lead to better understanding of cross-reactive immunity and potential therapeutic use of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells.
Testicular tissue transplantation combined with retinoic acid administration successfully produces healthy offspring in mice, offering a potential method for preserving/recovering male fertility. The researchers' findings suggest that this approach may be effective in humans without adverse effects on pregnant mothers.
The range of commercial baby foods has grown rapidly in recent years, with 84% more brands and double the products compared to 2013. However, researchers found that many products are still high in sugar, with sweet snack foods showing a significant increase in sugar content.
A comprehensive analysis of the consequences of the 2018 drought and heat event in European forests reveals that even drought-resistant tree species suffered long-term damage. The study suggests that future scenarios require redesigning forests to combat heat and drought, and new analytical approaches are needed to track tree mortality...
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum developed a new method for efficiently identifying deep-fake images by analyzing objects in the frequency domain. The study found that images generated by GANs exhibit artefacts in the high-frequency range, which can be used to distinguish them from real photos.
Researchers discovered that cancer cells with high-affinity iron collection systems collect iron more efficiently than healthy macrophages, allowing them to survive in nutrient-deprived CSF environments. This mechanism enables LM cells to evade immune attack by limiting the supply of vital iron to patrolling macrophages.
Researchers found a unique arrangement of pigment-packed granules in the skin of certain deep-sea fish, enabling them to absorb nearly all light. This discovery may lead to the development of more efficient ultra-black materials for optical technology and camouflage.
A recent study found that COVID-19 lockdowns in five Indian cities reduced harmful fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations by up to 54%, comparable to reductions in other cities worldwide. The lockdown also saved an estimated 630 lives and $690 million in health costs.
A large study found that continuing opium use after bypass surgery increases the risk of death, heart attack, and other adverse events. Stopping opium use is safe and may even be beneficial, according to researchers.
A study published in Neurology found that training with a brain-computer-interface can significantly reduce phantom-limb pain in amputees. After just three days of training, patients experienced a 30% reduction in pain intensity, and the effect lasted up to five days after training was complete.
A team led by Maggie Wagner will study how plants and microbes adapt to drought, focusing on genetic changes in microbial communities. The research aims to understand the impact of drought on plant growth, health, and ability to withstand water stress.
Researchers have created a durable coating using titanium dioxide that can eliminate foodborne germs such as salmonella and E. coli on stainless steel surfaces. The coating, which is also food-safe, provides an additional layer of protection against cross-contamination in meat processing plants.
Researchers have identified a rare mutation of the TP53 gene that leaves individuals at a higher risk of developing multiple types of cancer over their lifetime. This mutation is most commonly found in the Ashkenazi Jewish population and may confer a lower lifetime risk compared to classic Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
Scientists at São Paulo State University identify 19 Centaurs of interstellar origin with highly inclined orbits, suggesting they formed around other stars and were later captured by the Solar System. This discovery sheds light on the formation of the Solar System and the chemical enrichment of the Sun.
Researchers detected a critical point in water, where two distinct liquid forms exist at low temperatures and high pressures. The finding explains water's unusual properties, such as expanding when cooled and becoming more compressible.
Research reveals that both too little and too much sleep can lead to increased mortality rates, with the effect being more pronounced in people with type 2 diabetes. Sleep duration is linked to various cause-specific mortality rates, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.
Researchers created a data-driven model to forecast oil well production using multistage fracturing technology. The model has high commercialization potential and can boost oil production through optimized fracturing design.
Researchers developed a new use for a common blood test to adjust T3 dosage, suggesting improved cardiac function and reversal of heart failure genes. The study suggests that brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels can be used to titrate T3 required, providing a potentially life-saving treatment for heart failure.
A study by Boston Medical Center found that 29% of private post-acute care facilities in Massachusetts explicitly discriminated against hospitalized individuals with opioid use disorder, rejecting their referral for admission. The rejections were often due to a substance use disorder diagnosis or treatment with buprenorphine or methadone.
A new study published in Stroke Journal found that having multiple social disadvantages can increase stroke risk by 50% or more. Researchers analyzed data from over 27,000 adults and found that those with three or more social determinants of health were nearly two and a half times more likely to experience an incident stroke.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University are using eDNA technology to monitor salmon populations, which is expected to be more efficient and cost-effective than traditional methods. The study aims to compare eDNA samples with human fish counts to determine the most effective method for monitoring upriver migration of Pacific wild salmon.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have discovered how the Toxoplasma gondii parasite hijacks host cells to spread throughout the body. The parasite triggers an alarm system that leads to the activation of a protein called IRE1, connecting it to the cytoskeleton and causing hypermigration.
The Urban Future Lab and leading organizations have launched the Carbon to Value Initiative, a multi-year program to accelerate the development of carbontech innovations. The initiative will connect startups with industry leaders and create a collaborative ecosystem to make carbontech cost-effective and deployable at scale.
High fluorine levels in New Zealand soils are toxic to Rhizobia bacteria, which fix atmospheric nitrogen for legume plants. However, the study found no impact on the crops or livestock in question.
UTA researchers are working on developing machine-learning models to predict real-time energy demand and manage smart grid systems. The goal is to create a dynamic decision analytics and optimization framework that enables a highly efficient, real-time energy management system.
A study found that radiotherapy alters the behavior of immune cells, and reprogramming them with an existing drug can enhance its effects in brain cancer. The researchers demonstrated that combining radiotherapy with daily dosing of a CSF-1R inhibitor extended survival in mouse models of glioblastoma.
Scientists are working on establishing an early warning system for sudden changes in the Atlantic Ocean's sea currents. These changes can impact global temperatures and climate patterns. By monitoring temperature and density metrics, researchers aim to detect subtle shifts before they become catastrophic.
A new coating developed by UBCO researchers can repel nearly all substances off a surface, making cleaning personal protective equipment easier. The two-layer coating maintains its resistance qualities under harsh exposures and can be easily repaired.
A new testing method has shown promise in rapidly identifying radiation sickness based on biomarkers measured through a single drop of blood. The test uses microRNAs to quantify the actual radiation dose absorbed, allowing for early and real-time identification of the condition to enable timely clinical interventions.
A UCalgary research study found that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect risk of heart failure and death in those with dilated cardiomyopathy. The study confirms about 40% of patients with DCM have scarring patterns on their heart muscle, associated with higher risk of future cardiac events.
Researchers at UC San Diego highlight nanotechnology's role in COVID-19 vaccine development, including peptide-based vaccines and molecular farming. The first candidates in clinical trials utilize novel nanotechnologies.
The American Thoracic Society's new guideline recommends varenicline as the optimal controller medication for clinicians to use initially in treating tobacco dependence. Introducing varenicline before a patient expresses willingness to quit results in an additional 308 patients achieving abstinence.
Researchers have developed a technology to obtain microvesicles from human stem cells, showing significant biological activity and therapeutic potential. The induced microvesicles can reduce the intensity of immune response and may be used to treat inflammations and autoimmune syndromes.
A new study documents tiger sharks' movements and core habitats in the Gulf of Mexico, providing valuable insights into their behavior and vulnerability to environmental change. Researchers tracked 56 tiger sharks with satellite tags, revealing sex- and size-specific differences in distribution and movement rates.
The U.S. Botanic Garden and American Public Gardens Association have awarded $378,000 to 28 public gardens in the US, including the Helping Hands Kitchen Garden at the University of Tennessee Gardens, Knoxville. The funds will help sustain urban agriculture programs and increase produce donations to local food banks.
Researchers have discovered a new higher-order topological insulator, WTe2, which exhibits metallic hinge states and is promising for spintronics. The team used Josephson junctions to visualize the supercurrent flow and found evidence of hinge states on the sides of the material.
Researchers developed a microfluidic device to study breast cancer cells' invasion process, identifying 244 different genes that enable invasive cells. The tool mimics human tissue environments, offering new avenues for biomarkers and targeted therapies.
Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg have developed a novel mass spectrometry-based test that can detect small amounts of SARS-CoV-2 in highly diluted gargle samples. The test is highly specific for the virus and can be used in early stages of the disease when many viruses are present.