A recent study by Tokyo Institute of Technology researchers suggests that mixtures of simple organic compounds can react to form more complex compounds, including RNA precursors. This continuous reaction network could help explain how life on primitive planets might have formed.
A new smart parking software developed at Cornell University reduces congestion and emissions by matching drivers with parking spots based on travel time. The system has been shown to decrease the amount of time spent looking for parking by an estimated 64% compared to other strategies.
Researchers have developed a novel scheme for THz dual-comb spectroscopy that requires only a single laser source while maintaining exceptional resolution. The use of adaptive sampling technique minimizes timing instability and allows for accurate detection of small variations in the absorption profile of materials.
A study analyzing trends in muskrat mortality found associations with viruses, fungal infections, and toxins such as heavy metals and pesticides. The research provides a baseline for understanding potential role of pathogens and contaminants in declining muskrat populations across North America.
A new study found that meteorite crashes can create amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, by simulating ocean impact reactions. The discovery supports extraterrestrial delivery as a possible origin of life's essential molecules on Earth and Mars.
Researchers engineered a single messenger protein to induce cellular responses targeting two distinct conditions: neuronal regeneration and lung tumor inhibition. The study demonstrates the potential of bioengineering ligands to treat neurodegenerative disease and cancer.
Researchers at TU Wien develop a method to study metal oxide surfaces using a single oxygen atom attached to an atomic force microscope tip, allowing for gentle examination of surface structures without altering the atoms. The technique reveals different ways oxygen molecules attach to titanium atoms on the surface.
A decades-long study found that youth programs can have lasting positive effects on both participants and their children. The program, Raising Healthy Children, demonstrated benefits in behavior problems, developmental delays, and cognitive maturity.
A new measure, Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP), is proposed to value nature's contributions to economic activity and human well-being. GEP summarizes the economic value of nature's services, highlighting the need to balance domestic and ecosystem needs for a sustainable future.
NHGRI researchers have identified genetic mutations associated with PFAPA syndrome, a periodic fever disorder that affects only children. The study reveals commonalities with other inflammatory conditions, including Behçet's disease and canker sores, and highlights the potential for new treatments and diagnostic tools.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a 'nanobrush' structure with high surface area, enabling vertical alignment of ions across interfaces to transport energy or information. The unique architecture drives efficient electronic and chemical interactions.
Archaeologists successfully mapped the complete Roman city of Falerii Novi in Italy using advanced ground-penetrating radar technology. The study revealed a bath complex, market, temple, and sprawling network of water pipes, challenging assumptions on Roman urban design.
Scientists from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command's Army Research Laboratory have improved distributed algorithms for multi-agent coordination, enabling better situational awareness and communication capabilities for Soldiers in limited bandwidth scenarios.
Researchers at Kazan Federal University developed stable organo-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites that can effectively degrade toxic dyes in water. The composites, combining titanium oxide and noble metals, show a synergistic effect, increasing photodegradation efficiency up to 94%.
Research highlights the growing threat of fungal crop diseases, outstripping bacterial and viral diseases in severity and scale. The University of Exeter consortium has merged expertise to emphasize the need for new fungicides and robust agricultural systems to address this challenge.
Researchers found that less than 10% of protected areas are home to invasive species, but almost all are at risk due to nearby human activity and lack of monitoring. The study highlights the need for increased efforts to monitor and record invasive alien species in protected areas.
Photodynamic therapy has been shown to be effective in treating localized tumors, including ovarian cancer, through the introduction of photosensitizers that selectively accumulate in tumor tissue, producing singlet oxygen and other active radicals to destroy cells.
Researchers at ITMO University have created glass-ceramic lamps that produce a wider spectrum of light, including infrared, to improve plant growth in greenhouses. The lamps use chrome and glass-ceramics to emit both red and IR light, offering new possibilities for agricultural facilities.
A new study from Georgia Institute of Technology reveals surprising findings about electric vehicle drivers' perceptions of charging stations, highlighting the importance of quality infrastructure. Contrary to conventional wisdom, public charging stations do not receive more positive reviews than private ones, and dense urban areas exp...
A genetic risk score has been developed to help identify individuals who are likely to fracture early, even those with normal bone mass density. The study involved 11,351 participants and found that the genetic risk score can predict the timing of fractures in elderly people.
Researchers created an ultrathin membrane with high porosity that can filter potentially harmful ions from water. The membrane has potential to deliver clean water for millions of people globally through purification and desalination processes.
Researchers have identified a new inflammatory syndrome in children linked to COVID-19, characterized by symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease but affecting older children and presenting more often with abdominal pains and diarrhoea. The condition, PIMS-TS, requires close monitoring and early treatment to prevent severe complications.
Scientists have developed a technique to encase protein molecules in a silica shell, preserving vaccine effectiveness even at high temperatures. This technology, known as ensilication, has been proven effective in real-world trials, demonstrating its potential to eradicate vaccine-preventable diseases in low-income countries.
Researchers discovered that an old antibiotic, rifabutin, is highly active in fighting multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. The antibiotic uses a unique strategy to trick the bacteria into importing the drug inside itself.
Researchers found that most people's color awareness is limited to a small area around the dead center of their visual field. The brain likely fills-in much of our perceptual experience when color is removed from the periphery, with nearly a third of observers not noticing desaturated areas.
The ADVOCATE study demonstrates avacopan's effectiveness in reducing corticoid use and achieving sustained remission in patients with AAV, particularly those with renal involvement. The treatment also showed improved outcomes with lower infection rates compared to standard immunosuppressive therapy.
A randomized trial found that rituximab reduces the risk of relapse by 64% compared to azathioprine, with fewer severe adverse events. The study suggests that rituximab may be a superior treatment option for patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis, particularly those with history of relapses.
A new UCL-led study found that repetitive negative thinking is linked to cognitive decline and increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The research, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, suggests that psychological tools like mindfulness or meditation may help reduce dementia risk.
The BLISS-LN study showed that belimumab added to standard therapy resulted in a significantly better primary renal response at 2 years, with 43% showing improvement versus 32% on placebo. Additionally, patients treated with belimumab had a 50% lower risk of experiencing renal events associated with poor prognosis.
A study by Oregon State University found that telepresence robots can enhance student engagement and expression in online classes. In contrast, instructors preferred teaching students in person, but valued telepresence robots as a remote learning solution over distance learning tools.
A new study reveals that great white sharks spend most of their time foraging just above the seabed, contrary to the common stereotype of a shark's dorsal fin above the surface. The diet of juvenile white sharks consists mainly of fish species that live on or near the seafloor.
Researchers found that pinker flamingos are more aggressive when competing for food in confined spaces. In contrast, birds fed outdoors with space to roam spend less time displaying aggression and double their foraging time.
A Phase 3 study found lumasiran to be effective in reducing 24hr urinary oxalate excretion by 65.4% and normalizing oxalate levels in patients with PH1. The treatment also showed an encouraging safety profile, with mild injection-site reactions being the most common adverse event.
A recent study analyzing data from over three million individuals found widespread sex-differential participation bias, suggesting that men and women are more likely to participate in genetic studies based on different characteristics. This bias can impact the accuracy of results and conclusions drawn from genetic association studies.
Researchers found a 50% decline in North East Atlantic plankton over the past 60 years, with tiny picophytoplankton replacing more nutritious species. This shift affects fish, seabirds, and marine mammals, threatening shelf sea food webs.
A new study by UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital found that virus DNA can spread to nearly half of all sites sampled in a hospital ward within 10 hours. The study used artificial DNA replication to simulate how SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing Covid-19, spreads across surfaces.
A four-year study at Jodrell Bank Observatory reveals a repeating Fast Radio Burst (FRB) follows a cyclic pattern with radio bursts observed every 90 days, followed by a silent period of 67 days, repeating every 157 days. This discovery provides an important clue to identifying the origin of FRBs.
Researchers analyzed EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial data to investigate impact of initial 'eGFR dip' on kidney outcomes. Diuretic use and higher KDIGO risk category were predictive factors for 'eGFR dip', but no significant impact on risk reduction
A statistical physics model demonstrates how environmental noise affects evolutionary cooperation between cellular components, leading to low dimensionality and robustness. The study suggests that a moderate level of noise enables the evolution of complex systems.
Researchers have developed a faster calculation method for simple holograms, reducing generation time by up to 56 times. The new algorithm enables the creation of compact, power-efficient next-gen augmented reality devices, including HUDs and NEDs.
The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal, found that there are more stars like the Sun than expected in these groups, increasing the chances of finding Earth-like planets. These 'magma ocean planets' are easier to detect near stars like the Sun and emit heat that can be observed with next-generation infrared telescopes.
The study shows that the FreeStyle Libre 14 day system is estimated to save roughly 50% in average costs associated with severe hypoglycemia for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Annual cost savings are 61% and 63% lower compared to traditional fingerstick testing.
Researchers found that plants on Svalbard grow in synchrony due to July temperatures, reflecting climate change. Tiny growth rings of the polar willow shrub show distinct patterns, allowing scientists to track growth and understand ecosystem dynamics.
Researchers at the University of Michigan and Purdue University have developed a method to measure electron energy distributions in metal nanostructures, which could lead to more efficient energy conversion and storage applications. The technique uses surface plasmons to give extra energy to charge carriers, enabling faster reactions.
Scientists developed a wearable brain scanner that can scan the entire brain, allowing researchers to track electrophysiological processes involved in mental health problems. The device tracks brain activity with millimetre accuracy, enabling new possibilities for scanning children and epileptic patients.
A survey study found that starting flavored e-cigarettes may lead to a higher risk of starting smoking, while quitting unflavored e-cigarettes was associated with a lower risk of relapse. The study suggests flavored e-cigarette use can be a gateway to nicotine addiction.
A recent study from University of California, Berkeley reveals that disrupted nightly sleep leads to chronic inflammation, which is linked to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The findings suggest that poor sleep quality can be an important risk factor for heart health, highlighting the need for improved sleep hygiene.
The Mole-bot, a biomimetic drilling robot, has been optimized for underground and space exploration. It boasts powerful forelimbs, a stout scapula, and an expandable drilling bit that can excavate three times faster than conventional models with six times higher directional accuracy.
Fatah Kashanchi and Lance Liotta investigate cannabidiol's impact on reducing HIV-1 transcription and extracellular vesicle release, which may lead to decreased virus production and neuroinflammation. The study aims to define the mechanisms behind cannabinoid-mediated EV production reduction.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered that antibodies against one virus can make another more severe. However, a specific type of T cell can counteract this effect. The study suggests the need for future vaccines to elicit a balanced response from both antibodies and T cells.
A multicentre study involving over 500 patients found that a shorter treatment duration, reduced to half the standard 14-day course, was equally effective in treating bacteraemia. The researchers also identified certain risk factors, including older age and pathogen type, which can influence the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment.
Adult-born neurons in the hippocampus play a crucial role in memory consolidation during REM sleep, according to a study published in Neuron. The researchers found that activity in these neurons is necessary for memory consolidation and that synaptic changes occur during learning, enabling memory formation.
Dietary changes can trigger changes in the host's response to chemotherapy drugs, increasing or decreasing their effectiveness and toxicity. Researchers found that common components of daily diets can have a profound impact on cancer treatment outcomes.
Researchers examined electronic cigarette use among former smokers and found an association with increased risk of smoking relapse. The study analyzed nationally representative survey data, revealing a potential connection between e-cigarette use and relapse in former smokers.
Italian scientists have identified common genetic susceptibility genes linked to COVID-19 outcomes, including severe pneumonia. The study's findings suggest that these genes may determine disease progression and could aid in the development of new treatments.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that perchlorate blocks the sodium/iodide symporter, reducing iodide transport into thyroid cells. The study suggests an acceptable safe concentration of perchlorate in drinking water is 10 times less than previously believed.
A Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) project uses CRISPR tools to target and destroy the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome in cells, potentially providing a new therapeutic approach. The researchers will test the functionality and non-toxicity of CRISPR reagents in zebrafish embryos before moving on to human viruses and infected cells.
Scientists identified strong links between ecosystem groups leading to biomagnification of PFAS compounds in the river's aquatic food chain. The study found that PFAS accumulation occurs at each step of the food chain, including in humans who consume contaminated fish.
A nationwide integrated health system study found hydroxychloroquine did not reduce the risk of ventilation or death, but was associated with longer hospital stays. The study included data from 807 hospitalized patients and analyzed outcomes for COVID-19 treatment with hydroxychloroquine.
Researchers at Tufts University developed biomaterial-based inks that respond to chemicals released from the body or environment, providing a detailed map of human response or exposure. The technology can detect a wide range of biological conditions and molecules, potentially tracking air quality and environmental monitoring.