Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new rapid-prototyping system to accelerate the design of biological systems, reducing production time from months to weeks. The iPROBE platform leverages cell-free synthetic biology and computational design algorithms to discover optimal biosynthetic pathways for sustainable chemicals.
The University of Arkansas will lead a statewide computing-cloud called the Arkansas Research Platform to integrate existing high-performance computer resources. Researchers from nine institutions will focus on three major areas of data science: managing complex data sets, securing data privacy, and developing machine learning models.
Researchers found that skeletal muscles release interleukin-15, which helps to settle and activate T-cell precursors. This enables the immune system to fight chronic infections over long periods. Regular training may strengthen the immune system by increasing muscle mass.
A new Australian-developed treatment decision model, dubbed AUS-rule, has allowed more young cancer patients to recover from mild infections at home. The rule considers platelet and white cell counts and chemotherapy intensity to guide doctors in deciding whether patients can be treated and supported at home.
Two genes, MTG8 and MTG16, regulate stem cell differentiation in the small intestine, supporting its fast replacement process. This discovery could help understand how the body maintains a healthy gut and inform research on stem cell differentiation outside of the small intestine.
A study estimates that 22% of the world population, around 1.7 billion, have at least one underlying health condition increasing their risk of severe COVID-19 if infected. The share is highest in countries with ageing populations, African countries with high HIV/AIDS prevalence, and small island nations with high diabetes prevalence.
City of Hope scientists have developed two potent small molecules, CS1 and CS2, which inhibit the FTO protein and suppress tumor growth in various cancers. The compounds demonstrate significant anti-tumor effects and improved overall survival in mice with acute myeloid leukemia and breast cancer.
Research shows that just one 60-minute bout of exercise can shift the muscle clocks of mice by around an hour, influencing circadian rhythms. This discovery highlights the potential of exercise as a treatment for conditions like heart disease, where disrupted body clocks are a contributing factor.
A recent study found that climate change can increase the functional diversity of stream microbes, leading to more efficient decomposition and nutrient cycling. In Eurasia, this could result in a 30% growth in functional gene diversity and changes in composition by 2060-2080.
A Massachusetts General Hospital study found that among symptomatic pregnant women, 7.9% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, while asymptomatic women had a 1.5% test positivity rate. The study suggests universal testing can provide insight into community prevalence and inform public health decisions.
Research found that adhering to four healthy eating patterns reduces cardiovascular disease risk by 14-21%, regardless of racial or ethnic group, and is effective across various subgroups. The study supports current dietary guidelines emphasizing flexible, individualized healthy eating patterns.
A complete time-calibrated phylogeny for European butterflies has been published, providing a tool for evolutionary and ecological research. The study offers insights into the ancestral relationships and history of divergence for all 496 species.
A University of Michigan study found that organic carbon in thawing permafrost soils can be converted to carbon dioxide by sunlight, known as photomineralization. This process could contribute an additional 14% of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, increasing global warming by 0.3-0.4°C.
A new study found that older adults with low vitamin K levels had a higher risk of death over 13 years compared to those with adequate vitamin K levels. The research suggests that vitamin K may have protective health benefits as we age, particularly in reducing the risk of death.
Researchers have successfully developed a biohybrid artificial synapse that can communicate with living cells using electrochemistry. The device mimics the learning process of biological synapses and has potential applications in brain-inspired computers and medical devices.
Wild hummingbirds can distinguish between pure components of ultraviolet+red and individual colors, suggesting a more complex color vision system than previously thought. The study found approximately 30% of plumage colors and 35% of plant colors are nonspectral colors for these birds.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine finds that a 4-month rifampin regimen is cheaper and more effective than a 9-month course of isoniazid for treating latent tuberculosis. The treatment has the potential to change the way latent tuberculosis is treated, with significant cost savings for healthcare systems.
Researchers at Rice University discovered that excitons can spontaneously form in ground-state bilayers of specific 2D compounds, exhibiting superfluid-like behavior. This phenomenon holds promise for innovative electronic and quantum computing applications.
Research finds that corporate tax-planning practices improve with board involvement, resulting in less tax uncertainty and a lower tax burden. Companies with higher risk oversight have 31% lower tax uncertainty and 13.2% lower tax burden compared to those with lowest risk oversight.
Researchers analyzed bacterial RNA and protein expression patterns during plant-bacterial interactions, revealing the impact of plant immunity on bacterial mRNAs and proteins. The study identified previously unknown transcriptional regulators controlling bacterial gene expression and virulence.
New study analyzes nearly 60 infographics and documents on plastic lifetimes, revealing inconsistencies in reported estimates. Researchers found varying numbers of years, from one to hundreds of years, and even a striking uniformity in fishing line degradation estimates at 600 years.
A recent study published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that COVID-19 transmission from mother to baby during pregnancy is rare. The research examined 49 studies involving 666 neonates and 655 women, revealing that only a small percentage of babies tested positive for COVID-19. Additionally, the s...
Researchers trained wild hummingbirds to discriminate between UV color combinations, revealing they can see up to five nonspectral colors. The study used a custom LED tube system and recorded over 6,000 feeder visits, showing birds can distinguish between various UV+color pairs.
In a phase 2 trial, berzosertib, an ATR protein inhibitor, was found to significantly extend progression-free survival for patients with ovarian cancer compared to chemotherapy alone. The drug targets a protein crucial for cancer cell growth and division.
A new study from Ohio State University found that using humor on social media can lead to a decrease in credibility and support for candidates. Participants who viewed humorous tweets were more likely to rate the candidate as less credible and less likely to vote for them.
The National Institutes of Health has launched a centralized analytics platform to study COVID-19 patient data, aiming to develop effective treatments and improve clinical care. The platform will analyze health risk factors, identify potentially effective treatments, and enable researchers to explore connections and patterns in the data.
A new analysis method developed by the World Institute of Kimchi allows for the rapid detection of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in kimchi, reducing analysis time from an hour to just 53 seconds. This technique improves detection sensitivity by 4,230 times and 2,382 times compared to conventional HPLC methods.
A Baylor University study found that combining mindfulness with hypnotherapy significantly reduced stress levels and increased mindfulness in participants. The intervention, called mindful hypnotherapy, was well-received by participants, who practiced almost daily and reported high satisfaction.
Research reveals that loneliness affects the brain's map of social connections, with lonelier individuals having a less distinct neural representation of their relationships. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine participants' brain activity while thinking about different social categories.
The study found that sterilization with hydrogen peroxide and chlorine dioxide significantly reduces the filtration efficiency of N95, KN95, and surgical face masks. The researchers recommend re-sterilizing these masks after each use to maintain their effectiveness in preventing respiratory infections.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have confirmed a 90-year-old theory by measuring the recoil of ejected electrons in helium and nitrogen molecules. They observed the molecular movement when light particles hit individual molecules, confirming the effect of radiation pressure with recoil.
A USC-developed COVID-19 patient self-assessment tool found that 80% of users reported mild symptoms, manageable with simple home care. The tool has been accessed by over 275,000 people worldwide, helping to ease the burden on overwhelmed health systems and gather data on pandemic spread.
Blood vessels in the brain have evolved to form a protective barrier, but recent research shows they can also sense the metabolic state of neighboring neural cells. This allows them to respond to changes in nutrient availability and prevent disease states such as Alzheimer's and vascular dementia.
Researchers are investigating the effects of pandemic-induced supply chain disruptions on local Colorado farmers and ranchers. They are also examining shifts in emergency food service provisions for low-income students.
Scientists analyzed samples of radioactive 106Ru contaminant and found markers consistent with nuclear waste reprocessing protocols. The study suggests the 2017 release occurred during such reprocessing, providing new insights into the incident.
A study by Lauren Bailes and Sarah Guthery found that Black and female assistant principals are 18% less likely to be promoted than their White counterparts, with a 0.6-year gap in average time to promotion. Women's likelihood of promotion decreases relative to men as they gain experience.
The study found that statin therapy was associated with a decrease in the prevalence of Bact2 enterotype, which is linked to inflammatory bowel disease and depression. The researchers suggest that statins may be used to alter the gut microbiota, leading to new treatment options for cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found isotopic evidence of early Earth differentiation in samarium and neodymium isotope ratios. The study suggests that plate tectonics have regulated the planet's chemical evolution since its history began.
Research reveals that agroforestry systems can have significant ecological benefits, including enhanced biodiversity and carbon sequestration. However, the conversion of remaining forested areas into coffee or cocoa plantations should be avoided to maximize these benefits.
A large-scale study found that vegetarian diets are associated with lower body mass index (BMI) and greater dietary fiber consumption, leading to earlier feelings of fullness. Additionally, vegans were found to be more introverted than meat-eaters, while no correlation was found between plant-based diets and depressive moods.
Researchers analyzed tropical cyclone speed and daily precipitation in China from 1961 to 2017, identifying a slowdown of 10-11% over the coast. This resulted in increased flood risks as slower cyclones increased passage time and total local rainfall.
A study led by the University of Hawai?i Cancer Center reveals that genetic mutations can make individuals more susceptible to cancer upon exposure to environmental carcinogens. The research highlights the importance of identifying gene-environment interactions in cancer prevention and early detection strategies.
Researchers at KAUST studied Red Sea plankton communities, revealing seasonal fluctuations driven by top-down controls like viruses and heterotrophic nanoflagellates. The study provides insight into tropical marine ecosystems, shedding light on the impact of climate change on these vital regions.
A comprehensive study found synthetic cathinones and N-ethylpentylone in Australian wastewater, with users attracted to novel effects and potential risks of paranoia, hallucinations, and panic attacks
A RAND Corporation study found that states with the most-restrictive combination of common policies associated with a 11% reduction in firearm deaths. Child access prevention laws were found to demonstrate the strongest association with subsequent changes in firearms death rates.
A new study from Regenstrief Institute shows that using electronic health information exchanges to prepopulate forms for notifiable disease reports increases reporting rates and completeness. This method facilitates public health surveillance, enabling quicker response to outbreaks and informing public health decisions.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has selected 10 postdoctoral fellows from seven Latin American countries to conduct research in the US. The fellows will explore various biomedical topics, including leukemia stem cells and HIV hiding inside host cells.
A national study found 6.1% of parents hesitant about routine childhood immunizations while nearly 26% were hesitant about the influenza vaccine. The researchers suggest focusing on changing behavior rather than directly countering beliefs or attitudes to combat hesitancy.
A new study by the University of Tokyo reveals that cell-laden hydrogel fibers with a diameter of 1.0 mm provide long-term immunoprotection and functionality for pancreatic cells in diabetic mice, outperforming thinner fibers.
The Pew Charitable Trusts and Alexander and Margaret Stewart Trust have partnered to support early-career cancer researchers with four-year grants. The five selected scholars will investigate various cancer-related applications, including early detection methods and molecular connections.
Researchers discovered that anaerobic soil disinfestation using diluted ethanol can make phosphorus more available to plants in Andosol-rich soils. The treatment increases the activity of an enzyme called alkaline phosphomonoesterase, making phosphorus more accessible.
Researchers developed an AI algorithm that uses the 'slowness principle' to estimate age and ethnicity by ignoring rapidly changing facial features. The system achieves impressive accuracy, outperforming even human experts in face recognition.
Researchers successfully tested a holographic guidance system in a clinical trial, demonstrating its feasibility and potential benefits for liver tumor ablation. The technology improved visualization of the tumor and surrounding structures, allowing for faster localization and increased treating-physician confidence.
A recent study published in Academic Emergency Medicine identified common barriers to using risk stratification tools for evaluating pulmonary embolism in emergency departments. The study found that provider-level factors such as risk avoidance and lack of knowledge of the tools dominated as barriers, while inner-setting factors were i...
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals that 73% of LGBTQ adolescents experience bias-based bullying for reasons beyond their sexual identity. Schools with Gay Straight Alliances report lower rates of bullying, emphasizing the importance of promoting broad-reaching inclusion and acceptance.
A study of 3,000 independently living older men found that weak or irregular circadian rhythms are associated with a greater likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease years later. The researchers suggest that these disruptions may reflect neurodegenerative processes already affecting the brain's internal clock.
A study analyzed 156 workers' sitting behavior, revealing that switching postures tends to occur later in the workday. Participants were more likely to stand if active in recent hours, but switching was not associated with physical fitness levels.
EPFL physicists have found a way to visualize the whole melting process of skyrmion crystals in Cu2OSe3 by varying magnetic field. They used LTEM to record massive images and videos, demonstrating two novel phases: the skyrmion hexatic phase and the skyrmion liquid phase.
Researchers estimate 30+ active intelligent civilizations in our galaxy using new data and simplifying assumptions about life forms. The Astrobiological Copernican Limit suggests that intelligent life may exist for billions of years, giving clues to our own civilization's long-term existence.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that teplizumab significantly delayed the onset of type 1 diabetes by three years compared to a placebo. The trial involved individuals at high risk of developing T1D, and those treated with teplizumab showed higher rates of insulin secretion and C-peptide levels.