Researchers created airflow videos showing how exhalation valves on masks defeat the purpose of slowing COVID-19 spread. The videos, published in Physics of Fluids, demonstrate that air can leave masks unfiltered through valves, reducing mask effectiveness.
The journal CrystEngComm has published a special issue to mark the Cambridge Structural Database's (CSD) milestone, featuring 33 papers showcasing diverse research enabled by the database. The CSD, curated by the CCDC, offers insights into solid-state and crystalline materials, from bond nature to MOF discovery.
A large-scale study found that electrical stimulation of the throat improved swallowing problems in patients with neurological conditions, allowing them to be discharged from hospital. The treatment was safe and easy to use, with most patients showing significant improvement in their ability to swallow.
A machine learning-based approach mapped key areas of COVID-19 research, revealing prioritized topics such as health care response, clinical manifestations, and psychosocial impact. The study also shows growing trends in protective measures and immunology research.
A study published in eLife found that individuals with bipolar disorder who exhibit pessimistic beliefs are more likely to experience relapse. The study suggests that the way patients update their beliefs can be used as a risk prediction tool, allowing for timely intervention and improved outcomes.
Mangrove forests are under pressure from three distinct threats: sea-level rise, lack of mud supply, and squeezed habitats. The study found that river dams decrease mud supply, while buildings and seawalls occupy space required for mangroves' survival.
Researchers have identified a gene, VSIG1, that prevents the development of metastatic tumour cells, enabling targeted therapies to be developed. The study validates the use of spiked-scRNAseq technology for testing drugs against metastases, including personalized approaches.
Potentially preventable hospitalizations among older adults are more common among Black and Hispanic Americans. Researchers found that increasing primary care access and affordable healthcare can reduce these hospitalizations.
A study found that consuming lactisole-supplemented sucrose increased energy intake and reduced serotonin levels in male subjects, suggesting a role for the sweet taste receptor in satiety regulation. The effect was not observed with glucose supplementation.
A Dutch study found that SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs between humans and minks, as well as within mink populations. The virus was initially introduced by humans, evolving over time.
A new study published in BMJ Quality & Safety shows significant reductions in opioid prescribing and consumption after surgery, with no increase in patient pain or satisfaction. The study's findings suggest that team-based approaches to reducing opioid use can lead to sustained success and improved patient outcomes.
Researchers found that repulsion between electrons is suddenly counteracted by an additional attractive force, enabling counterintuitive effects. This phenomenon could help understand unconventional types of superconductivity and explain divergences that pose a challenge for research.
Researchers have created a map of the proton-activated chloride channel (PAC), a protein that can help brain cells survive during stroke. Understanding its structure, they hope to develop ways to reduce permanent damage caused by acidosis and improve medical outcomes.
Researchers have successfully combined radar and optical observations to study interplanetary dust, gaining insights into meteor mass and composition. By correlating subtle signals in radar data with detailed optical information, scientists can now explore comets and aspects of solar system evolution.
Ali Abolmaali, chair of UTA's civil engineering department, is a recognized authority on computational mechanics and synthetic fiber reinforced concrete pipes. He has secured over $36 million in research funding from various agencies.
Researchers evaluated all new COVID-19 vaccines approved by FDA over last decade, analyzing premarket development time, clinical evidence, and safety database size. The study found that vaccine approvals took an average of 10 months, with varying levels of evidence and follow-up durations.
A UVA-led research team designs and manufactures thermoelectric devices with increased efficiency and reduced costs. They employ additive manufacturing and advanced materials science techniques to bridge the gap between material performance and device efficiency.
A new study found that over half of COVID-19 patients continue to feel fatigued 10 weeks after their initial illness. Researchers tracked 128 participants and discovered no association between COVID-19 severity or hospital admission with persistent fatigue.
Asteroid Bennu's surface boulders hold secrets to its 1.75 million-year history, which scientists studied through impact crater analysis. The findings provide crucial context for the returned sample, allowing researchers to understand the asteroid's geology and composition.
A team of scientists has developed an AI-powered 'electronic nose' to assess meat freshness accurately. The device uses a barcode that changes color over time in response to gases produced by decaying meat, and a smartphone app powered by artificial intelligence.
Researchers found that higher health literacy is associated with higher rates of PSA screening, despite guidelines recommending against it. The study also identified a dynamic interplay between health literacy and shared decision-making.
A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that prepubertal male and female rats exhibit distinct immune responses to infection, with males exhibiting a more severe inflammatory reaction. The researchers suggest that the X chromosome may play a key role in determining this difference.
A new study from the University of Notre Dame found that gender bias exists in ride-sharing performance ratings, with female drivers receiving significantly lower ratings when their performance is poor compared to male drivers. The researchers created an online experiment where participants rated driver performance, finding that custom...
RIT scientists developed record-breaking simulations of unequal mass black hole mergers to aid the development of next-generation gravitational wave detectors. These simulations calculate key properties of merged black holes, enabling the comparison of signals received by advanced detectors.
Researchers describe a rare case of frosted branch angiitis, a unique presentation of florid retinal vasculitis, in a woman treated for leukemia-lymphoma with allogeneic human stem cell transplant. The condition led to immune activation and required corticosteroids to suppress inflammation.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University have developed a new model that predicts the persistence of genetic packages in bacterial populations. The model, dubbed 'persistence potential,' uses five variables to determine whether a plasmid will thrive or fade away.
A new study analyzing Iberian spiders' biodiversity patterns in Spain's national parks reveals environmental factors significantly impact their distribution. The study identifies a pattern relating to the rise of temperatures and decrease of precipitation with an increase in spider endemism, highlighting potential conservation strategies.
A new medication, centhaquine, has been found safe and effective in treating severe blood or fluid loss caused by trauma. The study showed significant improvements in patient outcomes, including reduced mortality rates and improved blood pressure and organ function.
Researchers analyzed sediment cores to find iron-containing dust promoted CO2 sequestration and glacial cooling in the South Pacific during the last Ice Age. The dust, mainly from north-west Argentina, traveled up to 20,000km and reduced atmospheric CO2 by up to 40ppm.
A team of astronomers has discovered the first cold brown dwarf using radio observations from the LOFAR telescope and Gemini North. The object, BDR J1750+3809, is a close cousin of Solar System planets like Jupiter and can be used to test theories predicting exoplanet magnetic fields.
A Harvard Medical School study found that clinicians who prescribe unnecessary antibiotics for viral infections increase the likelihood of patients seeking care for similar infections in the future. This leads to a significant increase in antibiotic prescriptions, exacerbating the problem of antibiotic resistance and unnecessary spending.
Researchers at WPI will develop computational models to understand cellular forces and geometry during cell division. The study aims to identify factors that lead to defective spindle structure in cells, which can be targeted to promote cancer cell death.
Researchers found that over half of e-cigarette users reported symptoms like cough and nausea, with those using flavored products and refillable devices more likely to experience severe symptoms. The study highlights the need for better understanding of e-cigarette risks among healthcare professionals and parents of youth.
Researchers found lower utilization and higher complication rates among African American patients for unilateral knee replacement, but no significant differences for bilateral knee replacement. The study suggests physicians may offer bilateral procedures less often to African American patients or they may choose not to have the procedure.
Researchers created a Hostile Bias Modification Training protocol to reduce anger and aggression in ambiguous social conflict situations. The study, published in Cognitive Therapy and Research, found that the training was effective in reducing hostile attribution bias, anger, and reactive aggression.
Researchers propose that water emerges during planet formation, contradicting previous 'accidental' asteroid collision theory. The study found water on Mars for the first 90 million years of existence, suggesting it was a bioproduct of the planet's formation process.
A team of Clemson researchers and international scientists have discovered a new way to measure thermoelectric material properties by using light. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of more efficient thermoelectric materials with higher zT values, which convert heat energy into useful electric energy.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that African Americans who attended HBCUs had a 35% lower probability of developing metabolic syndrome by midlife. The benefit was more pronounced in those who grew up in segregated environments. Attending an HBCU may offer long-term health benefits for individuals who spent formative ...
A new machine learning algorithm has been developed to isolate dynamic neural patterns in brain signals that relate to specific behaviors, such as finger movements. The algorithm resolves the challenge of isolating these patterns, which can be masked by other activities, and enhances the decoding of behaviors from brain signals.
A new study found that Black patients are less likely to have their treatment for high blood pressure intensified, despite having more missed clinic appointments. This racial disparity may account for a significant contributor to poor health outcomes among Black Americans.
Mavacamten improves key structural abnormalities in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, reducing obstruction to blood flow and abnormal mitral valve motion. The treatment also decreases elevated filling pressures and restores normal cardiac structure and function.
A study suggests the probability of another 'Day Zero' drought in Cape Town will increase due to anthropogenic emissions. By 2100, the likelihood rises from 0.7% to 25% under an intermediate emission scenario, highlighting emerging drought risk in arid regions.
Researchers estimate that global fisheries could replace up to 40% of animal protein for one to two years after a nuclear war. Healthy fish stocks before the disaster can act as a temporary food reserve.
Working in farming or wood industries with asthma significantly increases the risk of hospitalization due to worsening symptoms. Asthmatics exposed to dust are more than twice as likely to be hospitalized for asthma compared to those without exposure, according to a recent Aarhus University study.
A recent study from the University of California, Berkeley, reveals a dramatic 25% drop in regional carbon dioxide emissions after the San Francisco Bay Area implemented its first shelter-in-place mandate. The network of carbon dioxide sensors monitored by UC Berkeley scientists effectively tracked progress toward reduced emissions.
A new study has identified the coral skeleton growth mechanism, revealing that controlling water temperature is crucial for restoring reefs. The research suggests that corals regulate their internal ion concentrations by pumping calcium and carbonate ions from seawater through coral tissue.
Researchers warn that SARS-CoV-2 may develop resistance to COVID-19 vaccines, rendering them ineffective. To mitigate this risk, the team recommends using blood and nasal swab samples to assess vaccine efficacy and monitor for emerging resistance.
Researchers have designed a highly sensitive implantable sensor that can monitor various forms of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide in the body. The device is made from biodegradable materials, including magnesium and silicon, which dissolve at a slow pace allowing it to function during recovery periods.
Researchers observed two distinct seismic discontinuities in the mantle transition zone, representing the upper and lower boundaries of a subducted Pacific high-velocity slab. The study suggests a compositionally layered slab with high-water contents beneath the slab, challenging existing knowledge on slab interfaces.
A three-nation research project will examine the relationship between social factors and epigenetics, with a focus on how adversity and trauma affect gene expression and health. The study will use data from large longitudinal studies in the US, Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland to investigate the impact of life circumstances on...
A new study shows that the introduction of new cancer drugs between 2000 and 2016 led to a significant reduction in mortality rates for patients with 15 common types of cancer, including breast, lung, and colorectal cancer. The study estimates that these drug approvals saved over 1.2 million lives during this period.
A public repository of 52,515 microbial draft genomes has been made available, revealing 44% new bacterial and archaeal diversity. The GEM catalog provides a valuable resource for understanding the biology and diversity of uncultivated microbes.
Researchers from Kanazawa University found that skipping breakfast and late dinner are associated with an increased risk of proteinuria, a key prognostic factor of CKD. Unhealthy dietary habits, including quick eating, were linked to the development of proteinuria despite no changes in body weight.
A new study reveals that Amazon trees dying at a faster rate are those with higher growth speeds, which are more vulnerable to climate change. The research found that drought is also driving tree death, particularly in the southern Amazon.
Researchers found that teacher-mothers face immense stress due to unequal distribution of second-shift responsibilities, inadequate parental leave policies, and low teacher pay. The study advocates for improved parental leave, higher teacher pay, and equal distribution of household labor to support teacher-mothers.
Researchers at Princeton University have identified a new protein involved in the assembly and maintenance of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. The discovery sheds light on the complex process of transporting phospholipids between membranes, a critical step in preventing bacterial infection.
Researchers have developed a hybrid membrane that combines artificial water channels with a polyamide matrix, resulting in higher flow rates and reduced energy needs for seawater desalination. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cost-effective desalination processes on an industrial scale.
A recent study using CRISPR-Cas technology identified a key gene responsible for heat tolerance in corals, providing insights into their response to climate change. The research found that modifying this gene made coral larvae more susceptible to heat stress.
A RUDN University study found that deforestation leads to massive transformations in soil bacterial communities, with some plantations showing higher diversity than forests. The key factors are soil acidity and resource availability.
A new study found that over half of COVID-19 data visualizations shared on Twitter contain errors that reduce their clarity, accuracy, or trustworthiness. The study identified five common pitfalls, including mistrust due to lack of data source identification, and suggests steps to overcome these issues.