A team of researchers from UC Santa Barbara, Caltech, and EPFL has developed a new technology that simplifies and condenses complex optical systems onto a single silicon photonic chip. This breakthrough allows for easy integration with traditional silicon chip production, significantly reducing cost and improving performance.
Citizen scientist Trygve Prestgard discovers 4,000th comet in SOHO data, part of the Kreutz family of sungrazers. The comet is extremely faint and close to the Sun when discovered, making it impossible to see without a telescope.
Researchers have developed self-powered 'paper chips' that sense early forest fires and relay a signal. The thermoelectric paper sensors are made from eco-friendly materials and can be wirelessly transmitted to responders.
A large national database found that nearly 40% of patients who didn't use opioids before undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting or heart valve procedures developed persistent opioid use afterwards. The study suggests that cardiac surgery may be a contributing factor to the development of opioid dependence in some individuals
Researchers found abnormal growth and increased neuroinflammation in the brains of animals exposed to air pollution, suggesting a potential risk for changes in developing brain relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders. The study used rodent models to mimic real-time exposure to traffic-related air pollution.
Research on blennies reveals that flexibility in diet and behavior allows fish to transition onto land, while specialization leads to successful adaptation. The findings provide insights into the challenges faced by fish out of water and offer a unique perspective on the evolution of terrestrial vertebrates.
Jan Philipp Junker and his team will use a combination of experimental, sequencing, and machine learning tools to reconstruct gene regulatory networks in normal embryonic development of zebrafish. This could lead to new treatments for diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
Researchers are testing virtual care and remote monitoring technology to reduce unplanned hospitalizations and emergency department visits after surgery. Patients use tablet computers to record vital signs at home, which are sent instantly to nurses for review.
Researchers have developed a novel electrode material that allows for direct charging of oxygen from the air, improving lithium-oxygen battery performance. The new strategy involves stabilizing atomic-level electrocatalysts within metal-organic frameworks, resulting in reduced overpotential and increased life cycle.
A team of researchers from the University of Konstanz and Innsbruck explore the role of artificial intelligence in basic research, focusing on agency, creativity, and authorship. They aim to provide a conceptual framework for the development of AI methods in science.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that at least 82% of commercial avocado oil samples were either stale or mixed with other oils. The lack of standards in the industry puts consumers at risk, but experts are working to establish regulations and ensure quality.
A new study found that specific gut bacteria in worms can modify their behavior, directing them to choose certain food sources. The bacteria influence neural circuit activity by producing chemicals like tyramine, which increase tolerance for certain smells.
A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that up to one in five women with a history of miscarriage or subfertility have mild thyroid dysfunction. Detecting thyroid abnormalities prior to conception may improve pregnancy outcomes for these women.
A study published in The Lancet Global Health found that physical activity prevents approximately 3.9 million early deaths globally each year, with a greater proportion of these deaths averted in low- and middle-income countries. This finding highlights the significant health benefits of regular physical activity.
The University of Pennsylvania's CEET will focus on air pollution, lung health, and environmental neuroscience with a strong emphasis on community engagement. The $8 million grant will support cutting-edge research and policy-making to improve the health of vulnerable individuals and communities.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum have identified four criteria for understanding animal beliefs, including the ability to use information flexibly and recombine components in novel ways. These criteria are met by various species, such as crows, scrub jays, rats, chimpanzees, and border collies.
Physicists from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg propose a new theory to describe Bose-Einstein condensates, overcoming complex equations and models. The new method simplifies interactions between particles in the condensate, enabling accurate predictions of their behavior.
Researchers have developed a machine learning platform that analyzes high-resolution drone images to predict root crop growth and health. This technology enables scientists to respond quickly to stimuli and breed more drought- and heat-resistant varieties, ultimately improving crop productivity and food security.
Researchers at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology found that soap bubbles can deliver pollen grains to targeted flowers, facilitating effective pollination. The technique outperformed other methods in terms of precision and quality, but requires further improvement for large-scale application.
A recent study published in Climate and Atmospheric Science reveals that half of the world's population is exposed to increasing air pollution. The research highlights that air pollution constitutes a major threat to public health, with an estimated four million deaths annually attributed to outdoor air pollution.
A recent survey from CUNY SPH found that New Yorkers who understand how vaccines work are more likely to accept a COVID-19 vaccine. The study also revealed significant disparities in vaccine acceptance rates among different age groups, educational levels, and racial/ethnic backgrounds.
A new system for detecting antibodies uses a microfluidic thread-based analytical device that relies on light-emitting sensor proteins held on a thread. The device can detect antibody levels within five minutes and does not require extensive handling and incubation steps.
The American College of Physicians has updated its practice points on the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 treatment. Despite recent studies, there is still no conclusive evidence to support the use of these medications for either prophylaxis or treatment of coronavirus disease.
A Neandertal fossil found in Chagyrskaya Cave suggests that the species may have lived in small groups of less than 60 individuals. The study's findings also suggest a unique role for the striatum region of the brain in Neandertals, potentially influencing cognition and behavior.
Researchers at Harvard University have successfully generated frequency combs using turbulence in light, contradicting current laser theory. The discovery could lead to more efficient and compact devices for applications such as telecommunications and portable sensing.
The study identifies inadequate funding, limited guidance, and institutional capacity issues as significant barriers to improved tick monitoring and control. Many existing programs rely on county or state funding, which can lead to program instability over time.
Researchers have developed Pillar[n]MaxQ molecules that bind neuromuscular blocking chemicals with high specificity and strength. These new molecular containers show promise for eliminating toxins and malodorous substances in water, outperforming existing macrocyclic agents.
Researchers found that homeless patients with influenza were 9% more likely to be admitted from the emergency department and 58% more likely to be put on ventilators compared to other patients. The study highlights the importance of infection control among the homeless population, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers at NJIT have developed a new coulometric mass spectrometric approach to quantify proteins, which could aid in discovering new therapeutic antibodies or biomarkers. The method is faster and more efficient than current methods, requiring less time-consuming preparation of synthesized standard material.
An international team is developing sustainable strategies for managing marine ecosystems, addressing global environmental change and ecosystem functions. The project combines data analysis and modelling to develop effective management approaches for coastal and oceanic environments.
Research on crop residue management found that no-till and prescribed fire can affect nutrient availability and microbial activity in the soil. While prescribed fire showed some short-term benefits, its long-term influence is still unknown.
GlycoNet researchers have identified a key enzyme, Agd3, critical for biofilm formation in Aspergillus fumigatus. Without this enzyme, the biofilm does not form, and the fungus is weakened. The team has also discovered a new family of carbohydrate-processing enzymes that has not been previously characterized.
A lab machine has been developed to mimic the explosion of a giant star, allowing researchers to study the formation of supernovas and their impact on galaxy evolution. The device replicates the blast wave's effects on gas layers, enabling scientists to better understand the creation of beautiful swirls in supernova remnants.
A recent literature review in Biological Reviews reveals significant knowledge gaps about crocodilians' ecological role, emphasizing the need for future research on population dynamics, feeding and nutrition, and decline impact. The study also highlights San Diego Zoo Global's conservation efforts for crocodilians.
A study by Kapitány and colleagues examines how children evaluate different types of non-real people or figures relative to one another. The results show that most children conceptualize the thirteen figures into four groups, with cultural figures like Santa and the Tooth Fairy ranked highly as 'real'.
A team of astronomers has detected a periodic pattern of fast radio bursts from an unknown source outside our galaxy, 500 million light years away. The pattern repeats every 16 days and is the most definitive one seen from a FRB source, offering a clue to the physics behind these intense flashes of radio waves.
A new method developed at Carnegie Mellon University has improved the accuracy of tracking systems for autonomous vehicles. By training on larger datasets and detecting its own errors, the system can learn to do the right thing without being told what it is.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science successfully manipulated and tracked individual skyrmions, moving them using a small electric current. The breakthrough could lead to the development of more energy-efficient racetrack memory and neuromorphic computing devices.
A giant, soft-shell egg from about 66 million years ago has been discovered in Antarctica, challenging prevailing thought that such creatures did not lay eggs. The egg is the largest soft-shell egg ever found and may have belonged to an extinct sea lizard or mosasaur.
Scientists at the University of Sussex have identified a potential pattern within blood that signals the presence of motor neuron disease. The discovery could significantly improve diagnosis with a future development of a blood test that identifies the unique biomarker, simplifying and speeding up diagnosis.
Researchers have discovered that herbicide-resistant weeds like waterhemp produce detoxifying enzymes to neutralize certain chemicals, making them resistant to common herbicides. This metabolic resistance strategy is hard to identify and combat, highlighting the need for a multi-pronged approach to control these weeds.
Researchers will use ICM Pro software and X-ray crystallography to analyze SARS-CoV-2 proteins and identify potential therapeutic drug candidates. This work aims to provide a head start in combating future pandemics by understanding the biology of coronaviruses.
The giant sequoia's bark has a three-dimensional network of fibers and air-filled cavities that distribute energy and insulate against heat. This unique structure helps protect the tree from wild fires and rock falls, with the bark returning to its original state after damage.
Researchers developed a compact optical system using silicon photonics, significantly lowering production costs and enabling easy integration with traditional chip production. The technology addresses growing demands for multicolor laser lights in data centers, promising new opportunities in applications like optical clocks.
A new study found that looking at your phone during a meeting is akin to snubbing your interlocutor, with viewers rating distracted members lower in competence. Manager policies on technology use also impact perceptions, with clear policies leading to higher ratings.
Researchers found amyloid β protein fibrillation slowed down in microgravity, resulting in distinct morphologies. The study provides fundamental insights into pathological amyloid formation, highlighting the ISS as an ideal experimental environment.
A study by University of Copenhagen found that prolonged exposure to sunlight on the head significantly impairs cognitive functions and motor skills, leading to decreased productivity and safety. The researchers emphasize the need for protection against sunlight to mitigate these effects.
A team of researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine has developed a potent antibody cocktail that can treat COVID-19 by targeting the virus's spike protein. The cocktail will be tested in a clinical trial to evaluate its effectiveness in improving patient outcomes.
The University of Maryland School of Medicine will partner with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to rapidly test hundreds of drugs approved for other conditions to see if they can be repurposed to prevent or treat COVID-19.
A team of scientists from ITMO University developed a method to create optical chips in a Petri dish using gallium phosphide as a material for the waveguides. The new chip elements are three times smaller than those working in the IR spectral range, enabling compact and affordable production of lasers and waveguides.
A study by the USDA Forest Service found that increasing tree canopy in Philadelphia could prevent between 271 and 400 premature deaths annually. The research suggests that even modest increases in tree canopy cover can lead to significant reductions in mortality rates, particularly in areas with lower socioeconomic status.
A research team has discovered a new mechanism for balancing protein stability during neuronal development, using heat shock proteins to regulate microtubule stability and axonal growth. This discovery can help understand neurodevelopmental diseases, nerve regeneration, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Cholesterol levels have dropped sharply in high-income nations like those in North-western Europe, North America, and Australasia, but risen in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in East and Southeast Asia. High cholesterol is responsible for approximately 3.9 million worldwide deaths annually.
Researchers at Texas A&M University created superior bone grafts using primitive stem cells, which help create fertile scaffolds needed for bone regeneration. These grafts could reduce inflammation, pain, and the need for revision surgeries, promoting swift and precise bone healing.
Researchers propose PANDAS, a type of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder, as a possible cause of sudden childhood OCD cases. The study identifies antibodies binding to interneurons in the brain as a key factor contributing to the disorder.
The study aims to create comprehensive clinical guidelines for preventing blood clots in COVID-19 patients. These guidelines will help providers prevent deaths from heart attack, stroke and pulmonary embolism due to the virus.
The All of Us Research Program is leveraging its participant base to gather insights into COVID-19 through antibody testing, surveys, and electronic health record information. The program aims to shed light on the pandemic's spread and impact in the United States.
A team of researchers discovered that distinct neural circuits in the forebrain send signals to the brain's control center to regulate sighing in response to stress, anxiety, or relief. Sighing rate increased when mice were confined, indicating a complex interplay between physiological and emotional inputs.
Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology reveal how bombardier beetles biosynthesize chemicals to create fuel for their explosions. The study shows the beetles' biochemistry is intricate, with toxic chemicals derived from coal tar and benzene-like compounds metabolized from hydroquinone.
Researchers from HSE University developed an algorithm called Allen, which processes data from the LHCb detector using a farm of GPUs. This approach increases processing speeds up to 40 Tbit/s and reduces costs compared to traditional CPU-based systems.