Researchers at Duke University identified mutations in SARS-CoV-2 that helped it thrive in humans, including two regions dubbed Nsp4 and Nsp16. These changes affected RNA folding and may have contributed to the virus's ability to spread before symptoms appeared.
A recent study suggests that heightened human activities and a severe region-wide aridity spell contributed to the megafauna collapse in Madagascar. The researchers analyzed paleoclimate records from the Mascarene islands, revealing a 'double whammy' of stressors that may have doomed the extinct species.
Researchers improved Uppstroms' performance by incorporating personal and population-level social determinants of health, leading to fewer false positives. The algorithm identifies patients at risk, allowing clinicians to offer referrals to specialized services before a crisis occurs.
Researchers are investigating the antiviral properties of Respiratory Detox Shot (RDS), a traditional Chinese medicine that blocks SARS-CoV and CoV-2 entry into human cells. Wu's lab aims to quantify RDS cytotoxicity in human cells.
Researchers are developing an AI application to teach American Sign Language learners about associated facial expressions and head gestures. The project also aims to create tools for anonymous video communications, enabling private conversations among ASL users.
A new drug candidate, MPH-220, has been developed to target muscle spasticity after stroke and nervous system defects. By inhibiting the effector protein of muscle contraction, it may alleviate symptoms with a single pill per day.
Researchers at George Mason University, Harvard, and Colorado State University will analyze spatiotemporal geospatial data to understand COVID-19 impacts. The project aims to facilitate participatory mapping and open data creation in developing countries to mitigate second-order COVID-19 effects.
Researchers found that serum albumin and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) are independent prognostic factors for cancer-specific survival in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Low GNRI levels were significantly associated with worse survival outcomes, particularly in early-stage disease.
A recent study using long-term ocean data from the North Atlantic Ocean reveals a decadal variability and recent acceleration of surface warming, salinification, deoxygenation, and ocean acidification. The data shows a significant increase in surface temperatures, salinity, and carbon dioxide levels, leading to an acidification trend.
A team of MIT chemical engineers has developed a system to continuously remove carbon dioxide from waste gases using an electrochemically assisted membrane. The membrane's permeability can be switched on and off at will, allowing for continuous operation without moving parts or wasted space.
Researchers found that societies with good governance, characterized by equitable power and wealth distribution, tend to collapse more thoroughly than autocratic regimes. Leaders who abandon core principles and moral guidelines can destabilize their societies, leading to a loss of citizen confidence and fiscal health.
uOttawa researchers, in collaboration with Israeli scientists, have created optical framed knots that can be used to distribute secret cryptographic keys. These knots provide a platform for topological quantum computations and can be used to encrypt information.
Researchers found that patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or acute kidney injury (AKI) due to COVID-19 had significantly higher mortality rates in intensive care, with mortality rates ranging from 21% for those without kidney injury to 86% for patients with kidney transplants. The study highlights the need for calibration of IC...
Researchers have developed a complex computer model that explains how bacteria optimize their protein production machinery for faster growth rates. The study reveals that the composition of individual components varies with growth conditions, and real E. coli bacteria use the 'cheapest' configuration to minimize resource usage.
A study by Karolinska Institutet reveals that microglial autophagy plays a crucial role in MS progression. The researchers found that removing an autophagy gene, Atg7, disrupts the immune cells' ability to clean up damaged tissue residues, leading to disease worsening.
A study of secondary body MRI interpretations at tertiary care centers found a high rate of discrepancies, with cognitive errors being the most common type. The researchers suggest that subspecialty interpretations and additional resources are needed to address these errors and their potential impact on patient outcomes.
A minimum unit price for alcohol policy significantly decreases deaths and hospitalizations related to alcohol use, according to a new report. By setting a floor price for alcohol sales, such policies help prevent the sale of cheap drinks with high alcohol content.
Researchers discovered a novel mechanical mechanism of metastatic cancer cells responding to varying substrate stiffness. Metastatic breast cancer cells adapt their tension and viscoelasticity to survive in new environments, enabling the development of diagnostic kits and drug-screening tests.
LGBTQ+ campus centers are essential resources for LGBTQ+ students, providing counseling, support and student sense of belonging. Research shows that these centers correlate with lower levels of discrimination, less distress and increased self-acceptance among LGBTQ+ students.
A new study by Michigan State University found that STEM television programming for kids ages 3-6 underrepresented Latinx and female characters, but showed efforts to promote racial diversity through racially ambiguous characters. The research highlights the need for authentic representation in children's media.
Researchers from University of Sheffield and Manchester investigate link between heart disease and vascular dementia, testing a drug used to treat arthritis as a potential therapy. The study aims to identify a new treatment for vascular dementia, which affects 15% of all dementia cases.
A novel study finds key brain cell type changes involving lipids and inflammation in Parkinson's disease. The research suggests that microglia are overloaded with lipids, while astrocytes lose lipid content, leading to neuroinflammation and disease progression.
A study by researchers at the University of Geneva suggests that unhealthy behaviors trigger brain responses similar to those prompted by bad smells. Disgust is identified as a biomarker in the brain for this phenomenon, which has implications for our understanding of moral judgments and survival reflexes.
New research suggests that reminding people of past misinformation can help protect against remembering it as true and improve recollection of real-world events. This technique may be beneficial in combating the spread of misinformation.
A case study on ICT infrastructure at a Ghanaian research station reveals the importance of seamless connectivity for organizations. The ICT Health Checkup tool assesses four key elements to identify gaps and provide remediation steps.
Marci Jerome will receive $663,443 in funding from the US Department of Education to produce and deliver accessible instructional materials to local education agencies. The Virginia Accessible Instructional Materials Center will also provide training and technical assistance to support LEA adoption and implementation of NIMAS regulations.
A recent clinical trial found that patients with ALS who received the investigational neuroprotective therapy AMX0035 lived for a median of 6.5 months longer than those who received placebo. This result demonstrates the potential to prolong patient survival and slow disease progression.
Researchers have discovered natural nanodiamonds in oceanic rocks, confirming the formation of diamonds under low-pressure conditions. The discovery was made in Cuba's Moa-Baracoa Ophiolitic Massif and provides new insights into the geological processes that form these valuable gemstones.
The TARGET FFR trial found that a physiology-guided incremental optimization strategy (PIOS) reduced the proportion of patients with a final post-PCI FFR ?0.80, while also improving mean Coronary Flow Reserve. The study's results suggest potential benefits for PCI outcomes.
Researchers developed two molecules that inhibit SARS-CoV-2-PLpro, an enzyme used by the virus for production and immune system disruption. This discovery provides a framework for anti-COVID-19 drug design.
Researchers argue that current approaches to attributing extreme weather events to global warming focus too much on raising the threshold for false alarms, neglecting the importance of accurate warnings. By prioritizing probability of detection, climate scientists can strike a better balance between caution and timely warning.
A key blood marker of cancer could be used to select the most effective treatment for melanoma, according to an Edith Cowan University study. The discovery has the potential to improve melanoma survival rates by identifying patients who may benefit from more aggressive treatments.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have discovered that hepatocytes, the primary cell type in the liver, actively defend against certain viruses by absorbing and silencing them. This finding opens up new avenues for developing treatments for viral illnesses, including COVID-19.
A recent study of over 7,000 patients with congenital heart defects found that these individuals had a lower-than-expected risk of developing moderate or severe COVID-19 symptoms. However, patients with certain genetic syndromes and those with advanced disease were more likely to develop severe symptoms.
Researchers developed a plastic film containing silver-silica nanoparticles that inactivates the novel coronavirus on contact, reducing SARS-CoV-2 particles by almost 100%. The film is made by Brazilian company Nanox and has been approved as a PPE mask for COVID-19 protection.
Researchers have developed a device inspired by an octopus's sucker that can transfer thin, delicate tissue grafts and biosensors quickly and safely. The device uses a temperature-responsive hydrogel to create suction, allowing for rapid handling of fragile materials.
Researchers at Jinan University successfully convert astrocytes into neurons using transgenic reporter mice and AAV viral system, providing unambiguous evidence of direct glia-to-neuron conversion. The findings dispel controversies in the field and offer a promising technology for treating neurological disorders.
A RUDN University scientist discovered that adding organic fertilizers can help retain carbon in rice paddies, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The study found that soils with different types of fertilizers retained an average of 69% more carbon after fertilization, suggesting a potential solution to mitigate climate change.
Scientists at Harvard's Wyss Institute have created a new method for enzymatic DNA synthesis that uses photolithographic techniques to write digital data into DNA. The approach enables the simultaneous writing of multiple DNA strands with varying sequences, paving the way for high-capacity data storage in DNA.
A novel combination of immunotherapy targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1 led to a rapid and complete response in a 19-year-old patient with stage 4 epithelioid sarcoma. The patient achieved complete remission within two weeks, resuming normal activities and physical examination.
A new study has found that non-obese Vietnamese Americans are 60% more likely to have diabetes than non-obese, non-Hispanic White Americans. Only 9% of Vietnamese Americans with diabetes were obese, compared to half of all non-Hispanic White Americans.
Researchers have developed a camera that can film 3D movies at 100 billion frames per second, capturing ultrafast imagery with stereo-polarimetric compression. The camera uses polarization information to enhance its capabilities and may help scientists study sonoluminescence.
Researchers develop new strategy for stabilizing siRNAs using ODAGal4, which improves biological and thermal stability without compromising gene-silencing activity. This approach has great potential for siRNA-based therapies and reduces cytotoxicity.
The FORECAST trial found that fractional flow reserve derived from computed tomography coronary angiography (FFRCT) reduced the use of invasive coronary angiography by 22% without significantly reducing costs. The strategy also showed promise in terms of reducing healthcare utilization and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Arkansas are working on developing a computational framework for creating novel vaccines and therapeutics against the flu. By modeling the critical hemagglutinin protein, they aim to understand how it interacts with human cells and develop strategies to inhibit its activation mechanism.
A new study found that approximately 26% of Europeans with severe vision loss have unmet needs for eye care, with the UK figure at around 23%. Poor health, social isolation, smoking, and poverty are associated with higher levels of self-reported severe vision loss.
Klimov is developing a computational platform to design antibody-antigen interfaces based on DNA origami. The goal is to predict high-affinity peptide sequences that bind to tetanus toxin, targeting structured or unstructured antigen regions.
A study found that young adults tend to consider both risks and benefits in their sexual behavior, making consistent and thoughtful decisions. The research suggests that even those prone to heuristic decision-making become rational when faced with similar choices framed as sexual decisions.
A University of Saskatchewan-led team has developed a mathematical model to identify the most resilient lentil varieties against climate change. The model uses factors like temperature and photoperiod to predict which lines will perform well in new regions, supporting global food security.
A pioneering technique has captured precisely how mountains bend to the will of raindrops, solving a long-standing scientific enigma. The study found that rainfall significantly affects erosion rates in rugged terrain, with implications for land use management, infrastructure maintenance, and hazards in the Himalaya.
A new study found that ocean carbon sequestration decreased as phytoplankton failed to devour macronutrients and trap carbon dioxide in the deep ocean. This process, called the biological pump, transfers carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and surface ocean into the dark, deep ocean.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered that even healthy individuals have high numbers of preproinsulin-specific T cells in their pancreas. These cells are believed to be the prime suspects in triggering the autoimmune response that causes type 1 diabetes.
A recent study published in the National Review of Black Politics found that people who don't embody a typical white American identity may have complicated feelings of Americanness that affect their politics. The researchers analyzed data from the 2016 Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey and found that racial and ethnic mino...
Assistant professor of civil engineering Mohsen Shahandashti is leading a study to identify challenges in workforce decision-making processes for transportation construction industries during the pandemic. The goal is to learn how managers make decisions balancing public health and worker safety.
A survey in 8 countries found women more inclined to consider COVID-19 a serious health problem and agree with public policies. They are also more likely to comply with rules and follow guidelines, contributing to their lower vulnerability and mortality rates.
Researchers compared the DNA of four C3 grass crops and four C4 grass crops to identify regions that control the expression of four enzymes involved in photosynthesis. They found 'activators' that trigger expression in bundle sheath cells and 'repressors' that restrict expression in mesophyll cells.
A new study published in INFORMS Journal found that increasing telemedicine availability in emergency rooms (ERs) can significantly reduce average patients' length of stay and waiting time. This improvement comes without compromising care quality or patient cost, offering a promising solution to ER congestion.
New research suggests that ancient deep-sea corals provide a time machine to study changes in ocean circulation and carbon cycle during the last ice age. The study found that rapid changes in ocean circulation around Antarctica released CO2 to the atmosphere, ending the last ice age.
University of New Mexico researchers have identified three medications with potential to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection: amodiaquine, zuclophentixol, and nebivolol. These drugs showed promise in test tube experiments and could be combined with remdesivir for a more potent attack.
A new study by the Environmental Working Group estimates that more than 200 million Americans could have toxic PFAS in their drinking water. The analysis found high levels of PFAS in major metropolitan areas and dozens of U.S. cities, highlighting the widespread contamination issue.