A team of researchers at the University of Chicago has developed an AI-led process to design artificial proteins using big data and machine learning models. The breakthrough reveals relatively simple design rules for building artificial proteins, which performed chemistries rivalling those found in nature.
Biomedical engineers at Tufts University created nanoparticles that incorporate neurotransmitters to deliver therapeutic drugs and gene editing proteins across the blood-brain barrier. The innovation could overcome current limitations in delivering therapeutics into the central nervous system.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that patients with frailty, older age, and urinary tract infections have a higher risk of developing sepsis. Antibiotic therapy may reduce this risk, but unnecessary prescribing can contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
A new study shows that increased summer rainfall in Alaska is degrading permafrost across the state. The research team took 2750 measurements of how far below the land's surface permafrost had thawed by the end of summer, finding that more rainfall led to deeper thaw across all sites.
The George Mason University Libraries are preserving the papers of James M. Buchanan through a National Endowment for the Humanities grant. The collection includes correspondence, publications, and other materials that chronicle Dr. Buchanan's life and academic career.
A Nature study identified 21 existing drugs that stop SARS-CoV-2 replication, including four that work synergistically with remdesivir. These compounds have potential for COVID-19 treatment and could provide affordable alternatives if the virus becomes drug-resistant.
A recent study by the University of Bath found that healthy adults can consume twice their normal calorie intake without experiencing immediate metabolic problems. The research revealed that blood sugar and lipid levels remained within normal ranges despite consuming large amounts of calories.
A new study by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute found that individuals with cardiovascular disease risk factors who switched to high-deductible health plans did not experience an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. The researchers attributed this finding to the inclusion of low or no out-of-pocket costs for medications and p...
The City, University of London report emphasizes the need for social responsibility in STEM curricula and education. It proposes a range of calls to action to promote socially responsible STEM professionals, including establishing national policy centers, setting data ethics standards, and assigning leaders to drive the agenda.
A monthly vaginal ring containing the antiretroviral drug dapivirine is being considered as a new HIV prevention method for cisgender women in sub-Saharan Africa. The European Medicines Agency has adopted a positive scientific opinion on its use, paving the way for potential approval.
A recent study by Sandra Heldstab and colleagues found that primate species follow fixed neural development patterns when learning fine motor skills. Humans develop their abilities later than other primate species due to the less developed state of our larger brains at birth.
The number of heart transplants performed nationwide dropped 26% during the height of the pandemic compared to the prior 8 weeks. This decline occurred across regions and was similar to other health concerns like ICU bed availability.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus modifies its messenger RNA cap to evade cell recognition, leading to a new target for antiviral drugs. Researchers at UT Health San Antonio deciphered the structure of an enzyme involved in this process, providing a foundation for designing effective treatments.
A new study reveals that COVID-19 causes smell loss due to infection of nonneuronal supporting cells, not neurons. The research team found that olfactory sensory neurons are not vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection because they do not express ACE2, a key protein used by the virus to enter human cells.
Researchers found that 79% of participants were consistently married, while 8% were consistently single; however, the happiest groups had varied relationship histories or lived single their whole lives. Married individuals showed a slight increase in happiness, but not substantially.
Researchers analyzed county-level factors to understand SARS-CoV-2 reproduction numbers in the US. The study found that social distancing measures, population density, temperature, and other factors contributed to variations in reproduction numbers.
Tropical Depression 8 formed in the Gulf of Mexico on July 22, exhibiting strong storms and coldest cloud top temperatures indicating heavy rainfall potential. NASA's Aqua satellite data shows the depression moving west-northwestward with a better-defined center near the northeastern end of a broadly curved convective band.
Researchers linked genetic data with historical records to uncover new insights into the slave trade's effects on African Americans and Latin Americans. The study found that Nigerian ancestry is over-represented in US African Americans, while Senegambians are under-represented due to their transportation to rice plantations.
A new study reveals that the Vikings suffered from smallpox, dating back to the 7th century, and that the disease was more widespread than previously thought. The researchers found distinct viruses circulating during the Viking Age, which share a common ancestor with modern-day smallpox.
A clinical trial led by UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center found CAR-T cell therapy to be highly active and safe in patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma. The treatment resulted in a complete disappearance of tumor in the majority of patients and had an overall survival rate of 94% one year after treatment.
A team of scientists, including Kathryn Coyne from the University of Delaware, have developed protocols for studying the genetic underpinnings of marine algae. By analyzing the genetics of a specific species of algae that produces harmful blooms, they were able to create genetically modified strains and identify genes involved in toxin...
A small observational study found no cases of virus transmission from mothers with COVID-19 infection to their newborn babies after two weeks of breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact. Mothers can safely breastfeed and stay in the same room as their newborns if they use appropriate face coverings and follow infection control procedures.
Researchers found that small-scale maize farming with modern hybrid seeds and improved soil health can significantly reduce deforestation and mitigate climate change. This technique helps protect forests and promote food security, particularly for vulnerable communities in Zambia.
Researchers at the Flatiron Institute and Cornell University developed a robust theoretical model of strange metals, revealing their existence as a new state of matter. The model shows that strange metals exhibit properties linked to temperature and fundamental constants, with surprising connections to black holes and high-temperature ...
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on oncologists, leading to a loss of personal connection with patients and their families. This essay highlights the need for maintaining emotional connections in oncology despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.
A recent study suggests that home-made cloth face masks with at least two layers are more effective in reducing the dispersal of viral droplets from the nose and mouth associated with COVID-19. The researchers found that a double layer covering was better than a single layer in reducing droplet spread from coughing and sneezing.
A new technology has been developed by Penn State researchers that enables better light control without requiring large materials and structures. This hybrid photonic architecture combines the best qualities of photonic integrated circuits and metasurfaces, paving the way for multifunctional devices with flexible access to free space.
Researchers have found genes related to inflammation and stress that may help tailor treatments for depression. These findings support the idea that patients with treatment-resistant depression have heightened inflammation compared to those who respond to medication.
Researchers demonstrate that nanoscale infrared imaging can identify materials up to 100 nm below the surface. The technique distinguishes surface layers from subsurface layers, enabling direct identification without modeling.
A Cornell University study found that one in eight individual bees had at least one parasite, with social bees more susceptible to infection. The researchers identified five common parasites transmitted through flowers, highlighting the importance of flower abundance and bee diversity in controlling disease spread.
Researchers at UC Davis successfully produced a bull calf named Cosmo with the SRY gene inserted via genome editing, resulting in expected 75% male offspring. This breakthrough aims to increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact by producing more fuel-efficient male cattle.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant reduction in global seismic noise, with anthropogenic signals dropping by as much as 50% between March and May. This decrease allowed researchers to detect subtle seismic signals from subsurface sources, providing new insights into human-induced seismicity.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard University have mapped out an additional layer of control guiding tumor evolution through epigenomic alterations. They identified 11 chromatin states that cancer cells can pass through as they become more aggressive, and found a key molecule linked to advanced lung cancer forms.
Electrons in Planckian metals exhibit high-temperature superconductivity due to their desire for social distancing. By adjusting the ratio between kinetic energy and interaction energy, researchers created a model that captures the system's behavior down to absolute zero.
Bioengineers at Stanford University have developed a method for forecasting black swan events, which are highly unlikely but massively consequential incidents. The method is based on analyzing long-term data from three ecosystems and has potential applications in healthcare, environmental research, economics, and politics.
Researchers at UC Berkeley developed a new method to capture carbon dioxide from power plant flue emissions using tetraamine-modified MOFs. The technique showed a six times greater capacity for removing CO2 than current technology and was highly selective, capturing over 90% of the emitted CO2.
A team of global experts predicts that plastic waste flowing into the seas each year could more than double by 2040, with 710 million tonnes expected to be discarded into the environment. Improving waste collection services is seen as the single most effective step in reducing pollution.
A study by Max Planck Institute researchers found that multicellular clusters can promote cooperative interactions between organisms, leading to a previously unknown mechanism driving the evolution of mutual aid. This discovery challenges the traditional view of evolution as a competition for resources.
New research has developed a Lego-inspired scaffolding system using tiny, 3D-printed blocks to promote faster and more efficient healing of broken bones. The study found that growth factor-filled blocks placed near repaired rat bones led to about three times more blood vessel growth than conventional scaffolding material.
Researchers have confirmed the presence of Heartland virus in Lone Star ticks across two Illinois counties. The virus was transmitted through tick bites, often misdiagnosed as COVID-19 due to overlapping symptoms.
The study reveals changes in hearing genes that contribute to echolocation, expansions of anti-viral genes, and loss of inflammation genes in bats. The high-quality bat genomes provide a genomic record of historical tolerance to viral infection and may hold the key to alleviating human ageing and disease.
A new study finds that higher levels of gun ownership increase the likelihood of mass shootings, while permissive concealed carry policies significantly increase firearms homicides. The researcher proposes a two-pronged approach to combat both types of gun violence.
Research finds consistent summer precipitation patterns between the Mongolian Plateau and North China, driven by the Eurasian mid-latitude teleconnection wave train. This phenomenon enhances moisture transport and strengthens regional climate features.
A new approach combines CAR-T cell technology with natural killer cells to enhance tumor-fighting ability and reduce side effects. The merged immunotherapy shows promise in treating certain blood cancers, such as leukemia, and may be safer than traditional CAR-T cell therapy.
Research identifies two functionally distinct sub-circuits in the sensory thalamus that process distinct classes of information. These circuits enable powerful new optogenetic and chemogenetic strategies to probe behavioral and perceptual functions, potentially shedding light on conscious awareness and epilepsy.
Researchers discovered that a urine test of bicarbonate can measure CFTR function in patients with cystic fibrosis. This test may predict the effectiveness of new treatments for the disease.
Scientists at Trinity College Dublin discovered a way to manipulate human immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, tipping the balance in favor of patients. The study used an epigenetic inhibitor to release pro-inflammatory signals that aid in clearing the infection, promoting future vaccine strategies.
The survey found that online tools can improve services in autism care by reducing delays, improving outcomes, and enabling families to access professionals remotely. The two approaches, Real-Time and Store-and-Forward methods, have good diagnostic accuracy and enable natural behaviors in the home setting to be observed.
Tropical Storm Gonzalo showed slight disorganization in visible and microwave imagery from NASA's Aqua satellite. The storm is forecast to approach the southern Windward Islands on Friday night and move across them Saturday, with a possibility of becoming a hurricane.
Researchers identified two major factors: dry climate and city life, which led to the evolution of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to specialize in biting humans. In regions with intense dry seasons, these mosquitoes showed a strong preference for human hosts.
Researchers at Penn State determined the optimum dosage of 3-Nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) to reduce enteric methane emissions in dairy cows by 16-36%, with no effect on milk production or quality. The study's findings suggest that widespread use of 3-NOP could be an affordable strategy to mitigate climate change.
A new 42-country study reveals that men in more gender-equal societies are less likely to support women's causes and are more likely to hold hostile sexist attitudes. The research suggests that 'zero-sum' thinking, where gains for women equate to losses for men, is a significant barrier to achieving gender harmony.
Researchers have found that embryonic stem cells use a self-eating process called chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) to maintain pluripotency, but switch to a related metabolite when differentiating into specialized cells. This discovery could lead to new regenerative therapies for tissue and organ repair.
Research led by NC State University found that teen docents have a positive effect on visitors' experiences, learning, and information retention at informal learning sites. Children between 9 and 11 years old showed the largest impact, with higher information retention levels when interacting with a youth educator.
A UCLA-led study suggests that relaxing public health measures too soon may lead to a similar number of infections as if distancing had never been implemented. The researchers used mathematical models to analyze data from local and national governments, highlighting the dangers of premature relaxation of distancing measures.
A new study suggests that a simple urine test could significantly improve the detection of adrenal cancer by detecting excess adrenal steroid hormones. The test was found to be more accurate than imaging tests in diagnosing cancerous adrenal masses, potentially reducing unnecessary surgeries and healthcare costs.
Researchers at UC San Diego Health are conducting a national trial to evaluate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in treating severe brain injuries. The study aims to reduce brain swelling and increase oxygenation to neurological tissues, promoting restorative responses over inflammatory ones.
A retrospective cohort study in Sweden found ongoing transmission of hepatitis C before anti-HCV screening was implemented in 1992. The study identified undiagnosed hepatitis C patients living in Sweden who received transfusions pre-1992, emphasizing the need for testing and treatment.
A recent study found that crowded housing, dirty air, and occupational factors contribute to the high risk of COVID-19 infections and death among Latinos in the US. The study's findings suggest tailored interventions aimed at keeping Latino communities healthy and safe
A team of Princeton researchers used optogenetics to activate the Ras/Erk pathway in fly embryos lacking Torso signaling. This allowed them to investigate where and when Ras/Erk signaling is needed for terminal patterning, revealing a surprisingly simple system controlling complex developmental patterns.