A new grant will help Dr. John Franchak explore the impact of motor development on everyday learning experiences for infants. Using miniature sensors and audio recorders, his team will track infants' activities throughout a typical day to understand how their motor skills influence language and spatial abilities.
A global meta-analysis led by UNSW scientists found that biocrusts reduce water erosion by an average of 68% and increase water storage in upper layers, supporting the world's shrinking water supplies. Biocrusts are critical for fixing nitrogen and carbon, stabilizing surface soils, and providing a home for soil organisms.
Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered a new class of semiconducting materials stabilized by entropy. These materials, such as GeSnPbSSeTe high-entropy chalcogenide alloys, exhibit ambipolar doping, ultralow thermal conductivity, and a wide range of functional properties.
A Yale study found that teaching college students specific techniques for managing stress and anxiety improves their mental health and wellbeing. The most effective program led to improvements in six areas of wellbeing, including depression and social connectedness.
Emergent psychiatric conditions associated with SARS-CoV-2 are linked to targetable biological mechanisms. Studies suggest a potential therapeutic target for these conditions.
The study establishes relationships between game progress and entertainment experiences using Newtonian laws of motion, revealing the player's mental state. The game refinement theory explores fundamental mechanisms of game playing mechanics, mapping different cultures to human mind sophistication.
The American Thoracic Society's ATS 2020 Virtual conference takes place from August 5-10 with same-day registration available. Registered press will have access to the virtual press office and opportunities for live expert chats.
Astronomers used machine learning to discover a rare galaxy with an oxygen abundance of 1.6% solar levels, setting a new record. The galaxy is thought to be in its early stages of formation, contradicting standard cosmology predictions.
A study of almost 100,000 healthcare workers in the UK and US found they were 3.4 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than the general community. The risk was higher among those with inadequate PPE or who reused it, highlighting the need for better protection measures.
A new study using DNA metabarcoding reveals that responses to environmental stress can be detected below the species level, with higher intraspecific diversity found in resilient species. The research found significant differences in biodiversity between moderately stressed and heavily disturbed environments.
Research found that children and adolescents need 40% more sucrose in a solution to detect the taste of sugar, with higher taste-detection thresholds and preferred sweeter levels. These age-related differences may result from distinct developmental trajectories with different underlying mechanisms.
NASA's Aqua satellite detected remnants of tropical storm Douglas, weakened by strong wind shear, as it crossed the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean. The post-tropical low-pressure area is expected to dissipate shortly after crossing the dateline.
Researchers from Kyoto University have developed a new method to synthesize dicarboxylic acids and generate hydrogen as a byproduct. Using renewable diols and an iridium catalyst, the process achieves greater efficiency and yield, offering a safer alternative for industrial organic chemistry.
Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that patients with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) had elevated levels of IL-10 and TNF-? cytokines, distinguishing them from severe COVID-19. Simple peripheral blood smears also helped distinguish the conditions.
The National Academies has published a guide to help public officials interpret COVID-19 data, considering factors such as data representation, biases, and uncertainties. The guide aims to provide decision-makers with a comprehensive understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of various data sources.
The 2020 Joint Statistical Meetings feature cutting-edge research on COVID-19 modeling, including nowcasting and forecasting. Researchers also presented advancements in precision medicine for stem cell transplants, improving patient outcomes by extending lives.
Bob May, Jefferson Lab ES&H Deputy Director, has been named a fellow of the Health Physics Society for his 40-year career in health physics. He is recognized for his significant contributions to radiation safety and administration within the field.
Researchers have developed 'drawn-on-skin' electronics, allowing multifunctional sensors and circuits to be drawn on the skin with an ink pen. This technology provides better data for personalized care by collecting precise, motion artifact-free health data.
Researchers at MIT and Sandia National Laboratories have developed a hybrid approach to fabricate large-scale quantum chips using diamond-based qubits and quantum photonics. The new method enables the creation of complex quantum devices with reliable circuits for transmitting and manipulating quantum information.
Researchers have developed a new method to detect algae and measure key properties in the ocean's depths using laser-based lidar. The technique allows for measurements up to three times deeper than satellites, shedding light on ocean biology and its role in climate.
A study found that COVID-19 patients are 2.4 times more likely to experience large vessel occlusion stroke compared to those without the disease. The risk was highest among men and those over 66 years old.
The COVID-19 pandemic's economic fallout has caused widespread income loss, particularly among the world's most poverty-stricken populations. Disruptions to agricultural supply chains have placed further strain on the global food system.
The California COVID Tracker will provide actionable viral genomic data to local public health jurisdictions, helping to inform policy decisions and reduce transmission. The program, launched in partnership with CZI and the CZ Biohub, aims to make SARS-CoV-2 tracing and analysis more efficient and accessible.
Research found that women with fewer social connections are more likely to be obese, while men with larger networks are less likely. The study suggests that healthcare providers should consider social activities as part of obesity treatment for non-partnered older women.
Researchers at Kyushu University developed a mathematical model to evaluate two hepatitis C virus strategies, finding that one strain prefers to multiply while another prefers to spread. The study provides new insights into viral behavior and could help develop effective therapeutic methods.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have obtained the first 3D structure of a base editor, a promising DNA manipulation tool that can precisely replace one nucleotide with another. This discovery could lead to more versatile and controllable base editors for use in patients, addressing 60% of known genetic diseases.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that severe hearing loss in childhood cancer survivors is associated with neurocognitive deficits independent of therapy type. The study evaluated 1,520 survivors and discovered that more than one-third had severe hearing loss, leading to increased risk of neurocognitive problems.
A new study by the University of Cambridge suggests that pupils' attainment is linked to their ideas about what it means to be male or female. Those who defy traditional gender stereotypes appear to do better in the classroom. The researchers found strong correlations between specific gender profiles and patterns of engagement, motivat...
Studies show that some allelopathic winter cover crops may impact row crop yields, with corn and wheat affected by cereal rye chemicals. However, clear cause-and-effect relationships are rare due to limited field studies.
Researchers aim to develop molecular support for detecting biofilms in chronic wounds, enabling early diagnosis and effective treatment. Biofilms can significantly delay healing by reducing antibiotic susceptibility and damaging tissue.
A study on plant life in China's Hengduan Mountains, Himalaya, and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau reveals how climate change affects evolution. The research found that the diversity of plants today can be traced back to newly-formed mountain ranges 30 million years ago and intense monsoons that followed.
Researchers discovered that tumour T cells produce immunosuppressive steroids to evade the immune system, reducing tumour growth in mice. Preventing steroid production using a key gene or drug significantly slowed tumour formation and progression, suggesting new drug targets for cancer immunotherapy.
Researchers discovered new channels enabling lipid transport between the malaria parasite and red blood cells, raising possibility of nutrient-blocking treatments. The study found Niemann-Pick C1-related protein (PfNCR1) channels made of PfNCR1.
Researchers created a new mouse model to study viral responses and test COVID-19 vaccines. The model, based on an adapted SARS-CoV-2 strain, showed promise in protecting vaccinated mice from disease.
A PSU study of 400 households after the 2015 Nepal earthquakes found that recovery is a dynamic process with multiple dimensions. Households with less herding and farming-based livelihoods, more market connections, and easier access to rebuilding funds were more resilient.
A case series evaluates radiotherapy delivery to 209 cancer patients during the COVID-19 outbreak. Key findings include improved outcomes and reduced treatment delays.
A research group from the University of Bologna developed a new protocol that combines fear conditioning with neurostimulation to modify aversive memories. Participants who underwent TMS sessions showed reduced psycho-physiological responses to unpleasant stimuli, indicating successful alteration of fear memory persistence.
A new vaccine targeting HER2-positive breast cancers has been shown to work effectively in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors, resulting in pronounced tumor reduction and long-term tumor-free survival. The study found that the vaccine primes the immune system, allowing the checkpoint inhibitor to rally T-cells to action.
Researchers successfully demonstrated that interlayer coupling in a van der Waals material can be largely modulated by a protonic gate. This discovery opens the way to exciting new uses of vdW materials with potential applications in high-temperature devices and 2D multiferroics.
A cheaper, rapid, and accurate pooling strategy for RT-PCR-based detection of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples has been proposed. The assay has a significant impact on large-scale population screening, reducing testing costs by approximately 5-10 fold.
Hospitalized patients with heart failure experience increasing comorbidity burden over time, particularly women with HFpEF. The study suggests a shift towards multi-morbidity heart failure, emphasizing the importance of managing multiple conditions in guiding patient care.
Researchers found a significant decrease in opioid prescribing rates and improved pain control following hip and knee replacement surgeries in the US between 2014 and 2017.
Researchers found that anglerfishes with permanent attachments lack key immune molecules, leading to a severely blunted immune response. Instead, they rely on improved innate immune facilities to defend themselves against infections.
Researchers from LSU Health New Orleans have identified microscopic evidence of inflammation in small cardiac vessels during autopsy of patient who initially recovered from COVID. The team notes the potential for increased clotting affecting pulmonary blood vessels beyond initial course of COVID-19.
A new study from UC San Diego researchers reveals that an investigational drug candidate called tipifarnib shows promise in treating head and neck cancer tumors with mutations in the HRAS gene. The findings support the idea that HRAS represents a druggable oncogene in HNSCC, providing a precision therapeutic option.
Researchers analyzed ancient marine ecosystems in Tierra del Fuego and found that the Argentinian hake had a broader isotopic niche and fed on coastal habitats during the Middle Holocene period. This study predicts potential changes in the fishing industry in the region if environmental conditions align with those of the past.
Research from the University of Colorado Boulder shows that climate change is driving an increase in Arctic freshwater over the past two decades. This freshwater will eventually move into the North Atlantic Ocean, potentially disrupting ocean currents and temperatures in northern Europe.
Researchers found that the gut microbiome plays a key role in triggering painful vessel-clogging episodes, or VOE, in people with sickle-cell disease. Stress triggers increased gut permeability, allowing beneficial bacteria to stimulate pro-inflammatory molecules, which promote inflammation and damage internal organs.
Researchers Xifeng Yan and Yu-Xiang Wang developed a deep learning tool to forecast COVID-19 trends by community. The model, called Transformer, uses attention mechanisms and U.S. Census data to provide hyper-local forecasts with high accuracy.
A researcher at Catholic University of America uses computer models to understand the structure of viruses, aiming to create effective antibodies against COVID-19. His findings suggest that mutated versions of existing antibodies could be produced to neutralize the virus.
Scientists have developed a copper-catalyzed radical relay strategy for the asymmetric trifluoromethylation of secondary alkyl radicals, yielding optically pure CF3-containing organic molecules with good yields and excellent enantioselectivities.
Researchers found that targeting purine metabolism can disrupt DNA repair and increase sensitivity to radiation, offering a new approach to overcome resistance. A clinical trial is planned to test the effectiveness of an FDA-approved drug in human patients.
Researchers used 3D brain organoids to model inflammation's effect on the blood-brain barrier, finding significant changes that contribute to its dysfunction. The study suggests these organoids can help understand disease mechanisms and optimize treatment strategies.
Electron spin waves can carry information, but their lifetime is limited. Researchers have found a way to extend this lifetime by adjusting crystal orientations, allowing the spin wave to persist for up to 30% longer.
Primary cilia, acting as cell TVs to detect signals, are present in fewer numbers in mice with Fragile X syndrome. Increasing their number might lead to reversing neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and intellectual disability.
A new rapid test detects neutralizing antibodies against Sars-Cov-2 in 18 hours, faster and more accessible than traditional methods. The test's accuracy is comparable to conventional tests, making it a reliable tool for determining immunity and vaccine effectiveness.
A new report from the Lancet Commission identifies 12 modifiable risk factors that can delay or prevent 40% of dementia cases. These include reducing excessive alcohol intake, limiting air pollution, and promoting physical activity throughout life.
Tropical Storm Isaias developed into a tropical storm on July 29 with a well-defined center, according to NASA-NOAA satellites. The storm is expected to produce heavy rain and life-threatening flash flooding in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas.
A study led by Jennifer Todd at Anglia Ruskin University found that paying attention to internal bodily sensations can increase appreciation of one's body. The researchers measured gastric interoception and found a link between feelings of fullness and positive body image in adults from the UK and Malaysia.
The study found that social distancing policies implemented in the US and globally led to significant reductions in SARS-CoV-2 transmission, with an estimated 1.57 million cases prevented over a two-week period. The researchers also observed a strong correlation between decreased mobility and reduced virus transmission.