Researchers redefine Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) as Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD), a condition characterized by liver fat build-up affecting over 1 billion people. The new definition aims to improve treatment pathways, trial design, and drug development for this disease.
Researchers tracked the migration routes of little ringed plovers, a freshwater wader species, covering 3,108-4,226km over 32-136 days. The study found rice paddy fields to be their preferred wintering sites, with increased reliance during non-breeding seasons.
Researchers developed polyarylene ether ketone-based copolymer (co-PAEK) films that can withstand electrostatic discharges caused by ionizing radiation. The films' high conductivity and low switching thresholds make them promising candidates for space electronics protection.
A new study by Margaret Walls and colleagues found that national monuments in the US West increase establishment growth rates near the monument. The research indicates that fears of economic restriction after monument designation are unwarranted, as designated areas do not affect existing jobs or traditional industries.
The discovery of a nearly complete 66.7-million-year-old bird skull, nicknamed the Wonderchicken, provides direct insight into the early evolution of modern birds. The fossil, found in Europe, combines features common to chicken- and duck-like birds, suggesting it is close to the last common ancestor of modern chickens and ducks.
Research from Rice University found that working blacks with high awareness of systemic racism are seven times more likely to pursue self-employment. However, these individuals often experience worse financial situations and lower education levels than their counterparts. The study suggests racism's influence on career choices and fina...
Using high-throughput screening of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector capsid libraries, researchers identified functional and efficient AAV variants after only one round of selection. Infection with a high multiplicity of infection (MOI) was found to be preferable to infection with a low MOI, reducing variation between screens.
The ACMG Foundation/PerkinElmer Diagnostics Travel Award recognizes Dr. Kuntal Sen and Dr. Shagun Kaur's innovative primary care clinic initiative, which aims to provide dedicated care for children with genetic disorders.
A University of Cincinnati study analyzed 1,351 candidate responses and found that women candidates tend to run more sophisticated campaigns with a focus on general themes. Despite this, women often face challenges in winning elections due to various factors such as voter demographics and campaign strategies.
A recent study found nearly 1 in 20 US adults use e-cigarettes, with a rise in current use among women, middle-aged adults, and former smokers. Blood samples suggest e-cigarette exposure is equivalent to tobacco smoke in promoting oxidative stress and heart disease.
A study of 329 female college athletes found nearly half had higher than normal blood pressure levels, with 61% classified as elevated. The research highlights the need for further study into cardiovascular risks in this largely overlooked group.
Two new studies link childhood obesity to a higher risk of mortality in early adulthood, as well as increased rates of anxiety and depression. The research highlights the need for specific prevention tools and long-term treatment to address these risks.
Researchers have imaged the 'ball-and-chain' mechanism of ion channels using cryo-electron microscopy, providing new insights into their regulation. This discovery has significant implications for designing targeted therapies for disorders such as epilepsies and heart arrhythmias.
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has received an $8.3 million grant to extend the life of the Overturning in the Sub-polar North Atlantic Program, a key part of Earth's ocean-climate system. The program provides a high-resolution view of processes that regulate global climate and influence weather in Europe.
Researchers have discovered that physical forces, such as centrifugal force, play a crucial role in enhancing cell-to-cell attachment and increasing tissue stiffness during embryonic development. The study reveals that the FGF receptor/Erk2 signaling pathway is essential for this process.
Scientists track unprecedented rate of Greenland's ice melting and continued Antarctic loss in a new study. The research used data from NASA's GRACE Follow-On satellites to monitor changes in Earth's gravity and water reserves, revealing striking results.
The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine has presented the Takeda/ACMG Foundation Next Generation Fellowship Awards to Dr. Aixa M. Gonzalez Garcia and Dr. Chen-Han Wilfred Wu. The awards provide funding for medical biochemical genetics subspecialty fellowship and clinical laboratory biochemical genetics training, respectively.
Researchers discovered an insect-specific metal-sensing receptor in the gut lining that plays a crucial role in regulating nutrient uptake and development. Inhibiting this receptor, called Hodor, was fatal in mosquitoes, making it a promising target for controlling mosquito populations and preventing disease transmission.
Researchers discovered four new beetle species in 99 million-year-old amber fossils from Myanmar, which helped flowering plants spread and benefited the beetles. The beetles' adaptability allowed them to form a mutually beneficial symbiosis with the emerging angiosperms.
Researchers from ITMO University have predicted a novel type of topological quantum state in two-photon systems. A new experimental method using classical electric circuits has been developed to test these predictions, offering valuable information for the engineering of optical chips and quantum computers.
Researchers at Linköping University discover that bacteria, not human cells, are responsible for the detection of epigenetic mark 6mdA. The team finds multiple methods used to detect 6mdA produce false positive results due to bacterial contamination and technical issues.
Researchers found that large predators generally suppress smaller predators, providing more food in the form of leftover prey. However, the scavenging process can also be deadly for smaller carnivores, as they may be killed by their larger kin when returning to the kill site.
A nationwide study found that bariatric surgery significantly reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes among obese patients. The surgery was associated with a 60% lower rate of fatal and non-fatal heart attacks and stroke, as well as significant weight loss and improved type 2 diabetes management.
Researchers predict a nested series of rings within black hole images, with each successive ring becoming increasingly sharper due to its higher number of orbits around the black hole. This discovery enables new possibilities for observing black holes using only two telescopes far apart.
Researchers discovered that a single soft x-ray can destroy a protein-sized molecule by inducing radiation damage in neighboring atoms. The findings could lead to safer medical imaging and a better understanding of heavy metals' electronic properties.
A study found that children and teens aged 8-18 provide an average of 5 hours per day in caregiving activities, including tasks like medication management and cooking meals. Despite their efforts, many youth feel isolated and undertrained, highlighting the need for training and support.
A recent study in mice found that psychosis may be caused by problems with specialized nerve cells and learning behavior. The researchers hope this could provide insight into the emergence of delusions in patients with psychosis or schizophrenia.
Researchers found that people's prior beliefs about themselves may prevent accurate judgment of real appearance. By viewing their body from a third-person perspective, individuals rated it more attractively, pointing to potential applications for treating body perception disorders.
Researchers created a tiny sensor that can detect ethylene gas concentrations as low as 15 parts per billion. The sensor uses carbon nanotubes and palladium catalysts to measure ethylene levels in real-time, revealing when fruits and vegetables are about to spoil.
Researchers developed a faster and more objective alternative to traditional maggot analysis methods. They created a new hierarchical conformal predictor that can distinguish between six different maggot species, revolutionizing the field of forensic entomology.
The isoperimetric soft robot is a human-scale, pneumatic robot that can move without a tether and navigate unstructured environments. It achieves this by deforming its soft fabric tubes while maintaining its perimeter constant.
Women with coronary artery disease experience more chest pain due to plaque build-up, but have less extensive disease compared to men. The study highlights the need for more research and clinicians to adopt a dual focus to prevent cardiovascular events and improve patients' quality of life.
A study in The American Journal of Gastroenterology reveals that nearly half of COVID-19 patients in China presented with digestive symptoms like diarrhea and anorexia, which prolonged hospital stays and reduced recovery rates.
A new study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence reveals that experiencing opioid withdrawal increases the likelihood of needle sharing and non-fatal overdose among individuals who inject drugs. The research also highlights the urgent need for medication-assisted treatment to address this public health issue.
Researchers explore alternative materials to improve optical fiber's data transmission capabilities, as telecom demands grow. They discovered fluoride glass can transmit light over a wider range of wavelengths, but it is more expensive and brittle.
The study found that fish species and size affect the types and amounts of plastics ingested, with larger fish consuming more plastics. The research sheds light on how plastics enter marine ecosystems from urban watersheds and highlights the need for better understanding to reduce plastic pollution's impact.
Purdue University researchers have created a novel system that allows multiple players to interact with the same VR game on smartphones, reducing latency and improving user experience. The Coterie system enables 4K-resolution VR on commodity mobile devices and supports up to 10 players in the same application.
Combining therapeutic HPV vaccine ISA101 with chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel may extend survival in patients with advanced cervical cancer. The vaccine was well-tolerated, reducing suppressive myeloid cells to better stimulate T cell responses.
Dr. Chaya N. Murali, a pediatric geneticist, received the 2020 Richard King Award for her outstanding research on patient-reported outcomes in children with osteogenesis imperfecta. Her award-winning article demonstrated the utility of a new data collection instrument.
Researchers have developed a novel theory to explain the chaotic movements of particles in dynamic environments, where passive particles interact with active swimmers. The model suggests that such movements can be explained by Lévy flights, which arise from hydrodynamic interactions between swimmers and passive particles.
International team discovers two new species of six-gilled sawsharks in the West Indian Ocean, raising concerns about their vulnerability to overfishing. The discovery highlights the importance of assessing shark and ray biodiversity globally.
A recent study reveals that the loss of protein MCL1 can drive cancer formation in the intestine, even without bacterial-driven inflammation. The research found that mice lacking MCL1 developed tumors and intestinal damage, similar to human cases with chronic intestinal inflammation.
Researchers studying coral reef fish found species-specific physiological responses to warming temperatures, influenced by heatwave intensity and duration. The study's results signal potential long-term consequences for fish fitness and ecosystem health.
A study by University of Washington researchers found that people often ignore fake news on social media, but some use strategies like evaluating the source or noticing inconsistencies to detect misinformation. The study provides a framework for understanding how people react to fake news and could inform interventions to resist misinf...
MIT biological engineers develop a multitissue model of the colon and liver, revealing how different tissues contribute to inflammatory diseases. The study finds that metabolic byproducts generated by bacteria play an important role in exacerbating inflammation.
A trio of researchers argue that Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies often overlook vital factors, such as biodiversity and pesticide impacts, when comparing organic and intensive agriculture. They found that LCA rarely accounts for these effects, leading to wrong conclusions about the merits of organic farming.
A new Stanford study found that diversified farms in Costa Rica provide a more secure habitat for birds and shield against the impacts of climate change. Diversified farms are more stable in supporting bird populations and offer refuge to threatened species.
Researchers recorded 2,750 minutes of underwater sounds in five major river systems, identifying over 7,000 distinct sounds. Most were from unknown biological sources, while human-caused noise dominated the landscape, potentially harming aquatic ecosystems.
A new study refines radiocarbon dating to better understand Mediterranean history, including the tomb of Tutankhamen and a volcanic eruption on Santorini. Regional variations in cosmic radiation lead to small but critical periods of variation in radiocarbon levels.
Lundbeck contributes clinical trial data from over 2,500 patients to CPAD consortium's integrated database. C-Path and Lundbeck aim to expedite the development of new therapies for Alzheimer's disease through public-private partnerships.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore have identified a common therapeutic vulnerability for a genetically diverse and deadly form of leukemia. The study reveals that the polycomb repressive complex plays a critical role in driving progression to blast crisis, a nearly always fatal stage of the disease.
A recent investigation by The BMJ uncovered links between groups advocating for wider medical cannabis access and those pushing for recreational legalization. Industry funding for research into medicinal properties of cannabis has raised concerns about conflicts of interest and the potential normalization of cannabis use.
An analysis of media reporting on celebrity suicides found a significant association with increased suicide rates in the general population. Reporting on the specific methods used was also linked to an increased risk of suicide by the same method.
A long-running ARC-funded project explores the recruitment and impact of Aboriginal men as native mounted police in Queensland, revealing ongoing psychological impacts of historical dispossession and frontier violence. The study argues that inter-generational trauma persists among Indigenous Australians.
A new Stanford study found that historical observations can lead to significant underestimates of extreme weather events by about half, particularly heat waves and heavy rainfall in Europe, East Asia, and the U.S. Climate models were more accurate in predicting future occurrence of record-setting events.
Children's National Hospital researchers isolated bacterial extracellular vesicles from healthy donors, revealing the gut microbiome communicates with the brain. The discovery could lead to a novel way of addressing antibiotic resistance by targeting bacteria-derived RNA.
Physicists have mapped the energy levels of exotic helium atoms and discovered a 'frozen planet' state configuration where an antiproton is trapped. This study provides insights into the stability of such configurations, which may be more amenable to experimental research.
A Rutgers University study found that teens who feel empowered and have strong coping mechanisms are less likely to engage in bullying, harassment, or committing acts of sexual violence. Adults can help teens build these strengths by having positive conversations about healthy relationships.
Researchers create synthetic coronavirus particles to study how they withstand changes in humidity and temperature. The study aims to inform policy decisions on the spread of the virus in different environmental conditions.
A new study published in Geology found that Late Cretaceous ecosystems in North America were characterized by diverse and mixed diets, with resource interchange between aquatic and terrestrial components being common. The research used stable isotope analysis to reconstruct the diets and habitat use of dinosaurs and other animals, cont...