The COVID SHIELD trial, led by the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, aims to determine whether hydroxychloroquine can prevent COVID-19 in high-risk healthcare workers. The trial will enroll 2250 participants and compare the effects of hydroxychloroquine versus a placebo over four months.
A Baylor University study found that exposure to obesogens, chemical compounds disrupting normal metabolic processes, can lead to increased susceptibility to weight gain across the lifespan. The study highlights the potential effects of chemicals in consumer products on lipid-related diseases, including obesity and fatty liver disease.
A study of over 800 ancient remains reveals the house mouse's global spread from the Middle East to Europe, coinciding with domestic cat arrival. The researchers suggest cats were introduced to control mouse populations and protect food stocks.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed new biomaterials to advance the field of 3D bioprinting functional tissues. They created a highly printable bioink that can be used to engineer 3D-functional bone tissues, which could potentially create new treatments for patients suffering from arthritis and bone fractures.
Scientists have developed a 4D electric circuit network that simulates a topological insulator, exhibiting unusual properties such as quantized Hall currents and surface excitations. The work paves the way for studying topological phase transitions, non-linear effects, and quantum open systems.
Researchers have identified a newly found pneumococcus capsule, the 100th since its discovery, and linked it to oral streptococci. This finding underscores the need for updated vaccines that can keep pace with rapidly changing bacteria.
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and the University of Konstanz created artificial shelters that vary in precise ways, allowing them to reveal the underlying preferences of animals. The findings suggest that animals prefer certain traits over others when choosing a home, such as intactness over shell length.
Researchers discovered how pancreatic cells lose their identity and recruit nearby cells to help them grow and invade tissues. Transcription factors ZBED2 and p63 play a key role in this process, leading to aggressive cancer behavior.
Researchers found that molecule-plasmon coupling strength affects SEIRA spectral lineshapes, which are crucial for molecular detection. The study revealed how coupling distance, molecular density, and plasmon loss impact spectral profiles.
A team of researchers from MIT and Brigham and Women's Hospital has developed a new approach to splitting ventilators, allowing for personalized airflow control and pressure release valves. This system could make it easier to divide air flow for Covid-19 patients in emergencies when no other options are available.
A new computer model developed by scientists can accurately predict brain age using different types of brain scan data, including MRI scans and magnetoencephalography tests. This model has the potential to be used clinically to combine various tests and predict patient outcomes such as cognitive decline or depression.
Very young children exposed to antibiotics from birth to 12 months are at higher risk of childhood obesity and increased adiposity. The study found that early life antibiotic exposure disrupts gut microbiota development, leading to weight gain and obesity.
A new study reveals that oceanographic conditions in the Gulf of California drive the origin of new shark and ray species, challenging traditional assumptions about species evolution. Four types of guitarfish have been identified, each adapted to a specific region, with improved survival and reproduction odds.
A study of over 315,000 Danish children found that body size in childhood is associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer later in life. Children with high birth weight or average height but above-average BMI have a higher risk of developing the disease.
Researchers found that LATP ceramics degrade significantly in contact with water, losing up to 64% of their total ionic conductivity. The study highlights the importance of preserving initial performance through simple drying-and-vacuum treatments.
Scientists have identified a key brain region responsible for executive functions, including selective attention and working memory. The study found that damage to the inferior frontal junction area (IFJ) can lead to impairments in these abilities, as seen in individuals with dysexecutive syndrome.
Researchers at Insilico Medicine developed a new AI model that combines generative biology and chemistry to generate novel molecular structures for a desired transcriptional response. The Bidirectional Adversarial Autoencoder can be used for virtual screening, discovering new molecular structures and predicting transcriptional responses.
Scientists studying Martian rocks find evidence of long-lived lakes, organic compounds, and a cold ancient environment. The discovery suggests that Mars' climate may have changed over time, with factors like volcanic activity and changes in the planet's obliquity contributing to these shifts.
The PaNDiv experiment reveals that increased nitrogen application shifts the plant community towards fast-growing species, leading to faster litter decomposition. This change has a feedback loop effect, producing more nitrogen in the soil, which further accelerates decomposition.
Researchers found improvements in language communication and brain function in children with autism without intellectual disability after cord blood infusion. However, those with an intellectual disability did not show similar results.
The Lancet review calls for guidelines and research agenda to ensure equitable and ethical use of AI in low- and middle-income countries. The recommendations focus on human-centered design, data protection, and regulatory standards.
Christoph Keplinger's research focuses on soft robotics, artificial muscles, and medical applications. He aims to rethink robotics by merging soft matter with advanced technologies.
Researchers discovered that even a gentle breeze can propel saliva droplets up to 18 feet in just 5 seconds. This finding has significant implications for health and safety distance guidelines and the transmission of airborne diseases.
A new biomarker for Alzheimer's disease has been identified in the blood of patients, according to a recent study published in IJMS. The Ube2h gene was found to have increased specific expression in the blood of AD patients and AD model mice.
Research at Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing reveals that NFYB-1 regulates mitochondrial function through lysosomal prosaposin, a key factor in cellular longevity. The study used Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism and found that restoring cardiolipins improved worm health.
Researchers have identified three new genes that play a role in preventing fatty liver development. The genes IRGM, Ifgga2, and Ifgga4 produce regulatory proteins that counteract fat accumulation in the liver, but genetic variations lead to reduced protein production, resulting in increased fat content.
The National Institutes of Health has renewed funding for UC Davis's Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Center, providing $6.7 million over five years. The center will acquire new mouse strains and develop novel models to support biomedical researchers.
Osaka University researchers have developed a new method to create nanocellulose films with multiple axes of alignment using liquid-phase 3D-patterning. This technology has the potential to lead to affordable and energy-efficient optical materials, including smartphone displays.
A recent study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences estimates that the Yangtze River Delta region contributes around one-third of China's total hydrofluorocarbon emissions. The study found that the region has a higher emissions intensity per capita, area, and GDP compared to national and global levels, with HFC-23 being the pr...
Researchers found significant changes in the Pacific Walker circulation between 54-48 million years ago, with a broadening of ~38°. The circulation's intensity increased as the climate cooled, but its location was controlled by plate movements and CO2 concentrations.
A new study found that treatment with antibodies and steroids restored heart function in most children with COVID-19-related multi-system inflammatory syndrome. The majority of patients recovered quickly with intravenous immune globulin and adjunctive steroid therapy, suggesting a promising approach to managing this condition.
A new study by Stanford University scientist Rob Jackson found that daily carbon dioxide emissions have dropped by as much as 17 percent globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study estimates an impact on annual emissions of 4 to 7 percent, the biggest drop since World War II.
A Vanderbilt-led study found that pregnant women involved in the criminal justice system are less likely to receive medications for opioid use disorder compared to their peers. Medication rates increased by 68% in states that expanded Medicaid programs under the Affordable Care Act.
A new study published in Ageing and Society found that daily internet use is associated with higher levels of social isolation among older adults. The research, which analyzed data from 4,492 adults in England, suggests that occasional internet users may have a better balance between online and offline contacts.
A new study from Indiana University finds that job autonomy and cognitive ability are strongly correlated with mental health and mortality. Researchers suggest that managing employee demands and providing autonomy can improve physical health and reduce the likelihood of death.
An international team developed artificial neurons that can precisely target specific brain cells using optogenetics and light patterns. This technology has the potential to replace damaged brain circuits and restore communication between brain regions.
A University of Bristol study found reductions in antibiotic dispensing in primary care from 2013 to 2016, leading to decreases in resistance to certain antibiotics. The researchers saw quick and persistent reductions in ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim, and amoxicillin resistance, but no association with nitrofurantoin resistance.
A new study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers found that a primary care-based intervention promoting parent-teen communication led to less distress among teens and more positive emotions. The intervention, which included an eight-page booklet with discussion prompts, showed promise in improving adolescent health outcomes.
A $260,000 award from the US Forest Service supports a two-year project led by NAU professor Han-Sup Han to develop wood products market, invest in rural economies, and increase forest restoration treatments. The goal is to create a center of expertise that can support sustainable forest land management and cluster development.
A new study by The Institute of Cancer Research reveals that delays in cancer surgery due to the Covid-19 pandemic could result in thousands of additional deaths. The modelling suggests that a three-month delay would lead to an additional 4,755 deaths and 92,214 years of life lost.
A New Zealand study found that teenagers were shocked by the graphic detail of a suicide scene in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why. The researchers interviewed 25 young people between 13-18 and discovered they viewed the show as an 'over-dramatic' fictional TV show, not a realistic depiction of adolescent suicide.
Researchers found most southern right whales visiting South Georgia breed in South America, contrary to previous suspicion. This discovery will help track population recovery and inform conservation strategies.
Warming temperatures are causing increased aridity across the western United States, leading to declining river flows, tree death, and agricultural stress. Climate scientists warn that this trend will continue eastward, resulting in more frequent and severe dry spells, flash droughts, and interannual droughts.
A large prospective study of critically ill COVID-19 patients in New York City hospitals confirms that critical illness is common among hospitalized patients. The study found that critically ill patients frequently required mechanical ventilation and had high death rates.
Researchers have discovered second harmonic light emissions in superconductors, breaking conventional laws of physics. This finding could lead to breakthroughs in high-speed quantum computing and communication technologies.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have optimized vehicle dynamics and powertrain operation using connectivity and automation to reduce stop-and-go driving and travel time while ensuring energy efficiency. The algorithms achieved a 30% increase in energy efficiency in real-world testing, surpassing simulation predictions.
Scientists have developed a new model for studying developmental biology by creating sea urchins with reduced breeding cycles. The breakthrough uses CRISPR technology to edit genes responsible for pigment production, resulting in albino sea urchins that can thrive in the lab.
Researchers develop color-changing photonic crystals that can detect light, temperature, strain, and other stimuli, with potential applications in healthcare, food safety, and biometrics. The wearable sensors are low-cost, flexible, and robust.
Tropical Storm Arthur experienced heavy rainfall rates of over 25mm per hour near its northeastern side, with lighter rates throughout the rest of the storm. Forecasters incorporated this data into their forecasts, noting potential impacts on swells and life-threatening surf conditions in the mid-Atlantic and southeast US coasts.
A new study reveals that Madagascar copal, a material thought to be hundreds of years old, is actually an Antropocene-era resin made during the extreme human impact period. The findings suggest that species within the resin may have adapted to new habitats due to deforestation.
Scientists have discovered that ancient giant armored fish Titanichthys likely fed on plankton using a continuous ram-feeding technique. This finding contradicts previous assumptions about the species' feeding strategies, and sheds new light on the evolution of suspension-feeding vertebrates.
A new study found that the mechanics of rib movements in lizards facilitate locomotion, which was later co-opted for breathing. The researchers captured 3D motion of lizard ribs and vertebrae using XROMM, revealing a twisting forward and backward pattern similar to inhalation and exhalation.
A South Korean research team has developed moldable nanomaterials and a one-step printing technology to produce ultrathin metalens that are 100 times thinner than human hair. The new technology reduces production costs by 1/100, making VR/AR devices more accessible.
Recent studies on NAFLD have made significant progress in understanding the risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of the condition. The latest research emphasizes the importance of gut microbiota modulation to improve severity, as well as the role of hepatic inflammatory pathways in driving comorbidities.
The CPRIT grant will support research into the mechanism of GD2 expression and response to chemoimmunotherapy in neuroblastoma. The funding will enable investigations into how tumor cells escape therapy with antibodies targeting GD2.
Researchers at UMD are using CRISPR technology to create microelectronic devices that can electronically turn genes on and off. This technique has the potential to bridge the gap between biology and electronics, enabling new wearable and smart devices.
Scientists from HKBU developed a novel approach to manipulating molecular chirality using helical metal nanostructures. This method eliminates potential side effects associated with drugs containing molecules in incorrect chiral arrangements, enabling the mass production of purer and cheaper drugs.
Researchers have confirmed biological hallmarks of survival in tumor cells and identified two processes linked to high-grade serous carcinoma. Proteomics analysis reveals details about protein communication and function in cancerous cells, providing insights into the 'broken' machinery behind ovarian cancer.
Surface doping of organic semiconductors using two-dimensional molecular crystals has been shown to improve their electronic properties. The use of 1D/2D composite single crystals enables highly controllable doping at the monolayer precision, resulting in increased mobility and reduced threshold voltage. This approach holds great promi...
Researchers at Max-Planck-Gesellschaft have created a miniature microscope that can capture neural activity in all cortical layers of freely behaving rats. This breakthrough technology allows for continuous imaging of neuron populations, even during complex behaviors, providing insights into the brain's circuit dynamics.