Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified a key target for ketamine: specific serotonin receptors in the brain. The study found that low doses of ketamine increase the number of these receptors, reducing the release of serotonin and increasing dopamine levels.
A UK-first pilot study has shown that genetic screening for prostate cancer can safely identify undiagnosed cases in approximately one-third of otherwise healthy men. The study involved testing for 130 DNA changes and found that population screening was effective at detecting new cancers in this high-risk group.
Researchers at KAUST found that Jeddah's urban heat island effect enhances storm energy and blocks passage, leading to 26% more rainfall. The study suggests improved forecasting capabilities to mitigate damage from severe weather events.
A new review suggests that lockdown's effects on children's mental health may be long-lasting, with young people who experience loneliness being up to three times more likely to develop depression. The study emphasizes the importance of prioritizing play and social interaction during the transition back to school.
New studies from Flinders University highlight key areas for improvement in HIV management in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan regions. Nutritional programs should address underlying challenges like poverty and food insecurity, while prisons often struggle with optimal HIV care due to stigma and resource limitations.
A new study on corvid birds reveals how biology, environment, and social life allow young birds to learn difficult skills that improve survival. Extended parenting plays a key role in this process.
Researchers from National University of Singapore developed a new stretchable material called HELIOS that can store more electronic charges at lower voltages, enabling higher brightness and longer operating lifetime. The material has self-healing properties, allowing it to repair itself under ambient environmental conditions.
A Phase 2 clinical trial has shown a novel treatment protocol to be effective in patients with intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL), achieving two-year survival rates of up to 76% and overall survival rates of 92%. The treatment, combining conventional drugs with high-dose methotrexate and intrathecal chemotherapy, has been fou...
Researchers replaced R134a with energy-efficient R600a and added MWCNT nanoparticles, reducing electricity use by a quarter. The new mix improved cooling capacity and reduced evaporation temperature, making home refrigeration more accessible for low-income households.
Researchers used optical mapping to observe how hydroxychloroquine causes disturbances in heart rhythms, triggering worrisome arrhythmias and potentially life-threatening conditions. The study's findings suggest that the drug should be restricted in Covid-19 patients due to its potential harm.
A team of French and German researchers found higher levels of admixture between early Neolithic farmers and local hunter-gatherers in France, with genetic contributions averaging 31% in the south. The study provides new insights into the dynamics of biological interactions during the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition in Western Europe.
Scientists discovered a theoretical breakthrough in quantum fluid rotation, revealing a corkscrew-shaped mechanism that drives the fluids into rotation without viscosity. This phenomenon allows superfluids to transfer angular momentum through quantum mechanical interactions.
Root traits respond to soil characteristics, enabling trees to adapt to harsh environments and maximize resource acquisition. The study found that contaminated soils foster shorter roots, which can immobilize toxic elements like arsenic and lead.
Researchers found that frequent cannabis users are unaware of effective harm reduction techniques, such as avoiding driving after use. Public health practitioners need to better inform users about these strategies to minimize costs and risks associated with cannabis use.
A new study reveals significant land-use changes in Bangladesh, driven by biophysical and socioeconomic factors. The research identifies areas where forests have shifted to shrub land and urban areas, highlighting the need for policies to mitigate their impact on climate change.
Bangladeshi farmers achieving higher yields and revenues through insect-resistant genetically engineered eggplant, providing a more sustainable crop option. The study found that Bt brinjal varieties earned growers 21.7% higher revenue, equivalent to around $664 per hectare.
A study found that electronic health records (EHRs) commonly used in hospitals nationwide failed to detect up to one in three potentially harmful drug interactions and other medication errors. Despite improvements over the past decade, EHR systems consistently failed to detect errors that could injure or kill patients.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute discover that anesthetics trigger brain loss of consciousness by perturbing lipid clusters in the cell membrane, leading to changes in consciousness. This breakthrough solves a century-old scientific debate and opens up new avenues for understanding brain functions.
A global study found that COVID-19 patients undergoing surgery experience substantially worse postoperative outcomes than similar patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study reported a 30-day mortality rate of 23.8%, with higher rates in men, older patients, and those with severe pre-existing medical problems.
A new assay has been developed to improve prenatal detection of alpha-thalassemia, allowing for clinical diagnosis and large-scale population screening. The one-step nested asymmetric PCR melting curve analysis assay shows high sensitivity and specificity, and can be completed in under 2.5 hours.
The NRG Oncology trial NSABP B-43 found a statistically non-significant, modest reduction in the rate of recurrence among women that received trastuzumab. The study showed an annual IBTR event rate of 0.80% per year in the RT+T group compared to 0.99% per year in the RT group.
As COVID-19 converges with the flu season, pulmonologist Dr. Benjamin Singer outlines four key factors that can influence the severity of the upcoming flu season: social distancing, vaccination, co-infection diagnosis, and addressing disparities in vulnerable populations.
The UTA research team will develop optimal control solutions using bio-inspired learning methods that observe neighbor behaviors in real-time. This will enable the entire group to perform as a single entity, improving individual agent behavior and rejecting negative effects of adversaries.
The University of Washington has launched an online training program called Every Contact Counts to support public health agencies in conducting contact-tracing interviews. The course provides a foundation for performing contact tracing and offers a certificate of completion, helping to protect communities from the spread of COVID-19.
A SISSA study shows that passive visual experience plays a key role in maturing the brain's 'complex' neurons involved in vision. This discovery has important implications for understanding cerebral development and could lead to new clinical and technological applications.
University of Arkansas researchers are working on a therapeutic drug that can regenerate heart tissue and prevent myocardial infarction. The project aims to improve current methods of controlled release by targeting specific biochemical events during heart failure.
A Phase II clinical trial has demonstrated a 46.5% objective response rate to tepotinib in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and the MET exon 14 skipping mutation. The study's findings provide a new treatment option for this elderly population, with a durable response lasting almost one year.
Researchers at University of Turku find glucocorticoids inhibit interferon signalling, leading to increased mortality rates. Glucocorticoids have been banned by WHO for COVID-19 treatment due to their harmful effects.
A Japanese government stimulus program using discount shopping coupons showed positive effects on certain consumer groups, including middle-aged people and those with higher household incomes. The study found that financial literacy reduced coupon purchases among older adults, while higher income increased purchases among younger respo...
Researchers identified key features of tumors that influence response to immune checkpoint inhibitor drugs in advanced kidney cancer. Unlike other types of cancer, high infiltration by CD8 T cells actually led to a worse outcome, contradicting previous observations.
Charisse Madlock-Brown's R15 grant aims to identify costly multimorbidity groupings and disease progression. Her project will use a large patient dataset to develop intervention strategies, contributing to simpler, less expensive treatment options.
Researchers are developing a novel approach to protein analysis using iron-detecting nanosensors. The technology detects defective iron-carrying proteins in blood, which could help explain anemia and lead to new therapeutics. This project has the potential to provide a baseline for protein analysis in the future.
A genomic region on chromosome 11 has been identified as associated with fearfulness in dogs, including large breeds like the Great Dane. The study's findings suggest that this region may play a role in both neural development and function, as well as anxiety.
A new study found that post-operative pulmonary complications occurred in half of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection who underwent surgery, resulting in high mortality rates. The study suggests that thresholds for surgery should be raised compared to normal practice.
A UK-based study analyzing 392,116 participants found that minority ethnic groups were more likely to test positive for COVID-19 and experience severe illness. Black and South Asian populations faced the highest risks, with individuals of Pakistani ethnicity particularly vulnerable.
Researchers are developing numerical methods and mathematical models to support epidemiologists in understanding COVID-19 spread. They aim to answer key questions on the effectiveness of social distancing and quarantines, with funding from NSF.
A 2-year lifestyle intervention reduced LDL cholesterol levels in Finnish children, with high-fat vegetable oil-based spreads and decreased butter consumption having the greatest impact. The study suggests a family-based approach to prevent atherosclerosis in adulthood.
Researchers develop a single function that describes all existing data on active cases and deaths, predicting forthcoming peaks. The model uses q-statistics to describe daily active cases as a function of time, matching the evolution of rates in multiple countries.
A recent study from Queen Mary University of London and the University of Oxford found that people are more likely to accept nudges if they know how they work and how effective they are. The study involved over 1700 participants from the US and UK, who were presented with examples of genuine behavioral interventions used by policymakers.
A case series reports a high incidence of deep vein thrombosis among critically ill patients with COVID-19. The study highlights the need for prompt recognition and treatment of this potentially life-threatening complication in ICU patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.
A new study of 84 patients reveals that the first COVID-19 cases in New York City were mainly introduced through untracked transmission from Europe and the US, with limited evidence suggesting a potential Asian origin. The findings also highlight the importance of early and broad testing to identify community transmission clusters.
A case report describes a 25-year-old female radiographer with COVID-19 presenting with persistent severe anosmia and dysgeusia, accompanied by brain abnormalities revealed through imaging studies. The findings highlight the potential neurologic consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
A team of scientists has identified two host cell proteases, TMPRSS2 and furin, responsible for processing the S-glycoprotein of SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Inhibiting these proteases could prevent viral entry into host cells, making them potential targets for COVID-19 therapeutics.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have solved a 100-year-old physics problem, enabling accurate predictions of infectious disease transmission. The discovery uses special mathematical functions and a technique called method of images to calculate encounter and transmission probabilities.
A new study found that older men are less worried about COVID-19 than women their age or younger people, despite being at higher risk of severe or fatal infections. The study suggests that accurate perception of risk may be more effective in predicting preventive behaviors than worry.
A study from North Carolina State University has identified blood plasma metabolite markers that can aid in ALS diagnosis, rule out environmental neurotoxin involvement, and predict disease progression. Elevated creatine levels and decreased creatinine and methylhistidine were found in ALS patients.
The study explores the impact of invasive grasses on South Texas landscapes, revealing their spread across diverse ecoregions. Remote sensing technologies and AI are being used to detect and manage these invasive species, which also affect native tanglehead grass.
A new blood test has been developed to detect recent Plasmodium vivax infections and identify individuals with hypnozoites, which can cause relapsing malaria. The test offers high sensitivity and specificity, and mathematical models suggest it could reduce P. vivax prevalence by 59-69%.
Zebrafish use single photoreceptors to spot tiny prey, similar to how humans might spot stars in the sky. This discovery provides insights into animal visual acuity and could lead to new understanding of human foveal vision.
A recent study from the University of Washington explores how parasites respond to climate change, revealing complex relationships between hosts, parasites, and their communities. The research suggests that pulse warming events can have sudden and profound impacts on disease transmission, leading to a 'choppy sea' of outbreaks.
Researchers at Lund University and McGill University found that toxic tau protein spreads in the human brain via connected neurons, facilitated by beta-amyloid. The spread of toxic tau leads to widespread neuronal death and eventual dementia.
A new genetic engineering method has been developed to improve the efficiency and reach of recombineering, a decades-old technique used to swap DNA pieces in bacteria. The new approach identifies efficient proteins that mediate attachment and placement of short DNA strands, enabling single-spot edits and multiplex editing.
Researchers found that patients in Huntsman at Home had reduced hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and cumulative charges compared to controls. The study demonstrated strong evidence for the care model, showing improved patient outcomes while improving value.
Researchers developed a new technology to monitor cholesterol in brain tissue, revealing major locations of cholesterol and its metabolites. This breakthrough could lead to the discovery of new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease.
Researchers created an experimental diagnostic test for COVID-19 that visually detects the virus in 10 minutes, without advanced laboratory techniques. The test uses plasmonic gold nanoparticles to detect a color change when the virus is present.
Research provides basic recommendations for creating pollinator-friendly gardens in urban areas, considering factors such as plant selection and landscape complexity. Key findings highlight the potential of human-managed green spaces to support declining pollinator populations.
The article highlights the importance of a risk governance framework in overcoming crises like Covid-19. Five key aspects are particularly relevant: increasing global capacities for scientific appraisal, analyzing public opinion and perception, effective crisis communication, risk evaluation, and management strategies.
The DFG is funding three Collaborative Research Centres at TU Dresden to develop new classes of synthetic two-dimensional materials and novel design strategies for carbon concrete structures. The research focuses on controlling material properties, manufacturability, and sustainability.
Researchers found nilotinib reduced amyloid burden and tau tangles in neurons, suggesting it may aid in Alzheimer's treatment. The study also showed improved hippocampal volume loss and reduced phospho-tau-181 levels, hinting at a potential disease-modifying effect.
A recent study provides a comprehensive review of COVID-19 clinical findings, highlighting key immunological factors underlying the disease progression. The research proposes repurposing approved and available drugs to treat COVID-19, targeting entry into host cells, replication, and lung function.