Scientists at Tokyo Tech and ICFO develop a method to generate circularly polarized light from a sphere by breaking its symmetry through electron beam excitation. This enables the precise control of phase and polarization, paving the way for novel quantum communication and encryption technologies. The approach has been experimentally v...
Researchers studied the interactions between humans and nature in panda reserves, discovering nine synergies among Sustainable Development Goals, including economic growth and poverty alleviation. However, they also found that habitat disturbance occurred when hiking trails were built for tourists.
Recent peer reviews from the MIT Press journal RAPID REVIEWS COVID-19 offer valuable insights into various aspects of COVID-19 research. The analyses suggest that new prognostic scores can guide clinical decision-making and hospital admissions, while estrogen levels have been found to be associated with a reduced risk of severe complic...
Researchers at Kumamoto University found that activation of PPARα, a fatty acid receptor, causes masculinization of Japanese rice fish. The discovery may lead to improved fish farming techniques by controlling sex differentiation.
Scientists have successfully moved electrons in an organic superconductor by irradiation of ultrashort laser pulses, generating a polarized net current. The observed effect is attributed to scattering-free current, sensitive to superconducting fluctuations, with potential applications in ultra-fast computing and understanding microscop...
A Singapore-led collaboration created a hybrid simulator that maps complex phenomena of memristor memory technology with high accuracy. The simulator predicts transport behavior under various conditions, accounting for device characteristics and electron mobility, enabling more efficient designs.
Researchers at Duke University discovered that certain thermoelectric materials have low thermal conductivity due to their 'floppy' atomic vibrations at high temperatures. This understanding will help develop new and better options for technologies converting heat into electricity.
Haishen has strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane/typhoon with sustained winds near 140 knots (161 mph/259 kph), forecast to peak later on Sept. 4 and make landfall in South Korea after 3 days.
Bielefeld University researchers Professor Dr Martina Hofmanová and Dr Toni Goßmann have been awarded ERC Starting Grants for their innovative research projects on fluid flows and epigenetic programming. The funding will support groundbreaking findings in mathematics, biology, and meteorology.
The European project SEQUENCE is developing electronic devices and circuits compatible with low temperature operation for scaling up quantum computers. The project combines Si CMOS, III-V, and 3D integration technologies to support superconducting and spin qubit-based quantum computing.
Researchers have identified Atg9 vesicles as a platform for assembling the autophagy machinery to build autophagosomes. The biogenesis of autophagosomes involves numerous proteins, and isolating 21 components has enabled scientists to rebuild parts of the machinery in a controlled manner.
Researchers from Kazan Federal University developed a quantum algorithm to solve the Dyck problem, which is crucial for parsers and compilers. The new algorithm can solve the problem in just 40 seconds on a quantum computer.
A hospitalist reflects on his emotional struggle as he transitions from a COVID-19 pandemic high to a state of burnout and exhaustion. He shares his personal story of feeling overwhelmed and undervalued as healthcare workers face increasing demands.
Researchers found that mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) and invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells were reduced in the blood of severe COVID-19 patients but increased in their airways. Highly activated MAIT and iNKT cells were associated with better outcomes, suggesting a beneficial role during severe COVID-19.
Research shows that air pollution from ozone levels damages the scent of flowers, deterring moths. However, when given a chance, moths quickly learn that even polluted floral odors may lead to nutritious nectar rewards. This learning ability is crucial for moths to adapt to changing environments.
The paper discusses how cell-autonomous immunity, inherited from prokaryotic and single-celled ancestors, affects the human evolutionary story. It highlights the importance of understanding how pathogens manipulate these defenses, which are found in every cell in every body system.
Researchers found three large, misaligned dust rings around the young triple star system GW Ori, with sufficient dust for planet formation. A computer simulation suggests that a hidden planet may have carved out a dust gap and broken the disk at the location of the current inner and outer rings.
Researchers identified a potential underlying mechanism in the nervous system responsible for varying pain patterns with knee osteoarthritis. People with more pain sensitization were more likely to suffer from constant and unpredictable pain.
Scientists at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have found a novel electrical current that could stabilize fusion reactions, contrary to conventional notions. The discovery sheds light on the fundamental interactions of waves in plasma and has implications for creating fusion energy.
Researchers at UT Institute of Agriculture use gas chromatography-olfactometry to identify 49 odorants in Tennessee whiskey, including nine new discoveries. The study reveals that the Lincoln County Process decreases malty and rancid aromas while retaining desirable flavors.
Patients with the highest obesity risk who received a tailored coaching program lost 5% of their body weight, compared to 0.5% in usual care group. The study demonstrates the importance of convenient and accessible interventions in overcoming barriers to weight loss.
Researchers have demonstrated the use of elastic vibrations to manipulate the spin states of optically active color centers in SiC at room temperature. The findings show a non-trivial dependence on the spin quantization direction, enabling chiral spin-acoustic resonances and full control of spin states without external microwave fields.
A large international consortium study found over 5,000 genetic mutations affecting blood characteristics worldwide. Researchers identified specific mutations linked to increased lymphocyte levels in South Asian populations, highlighting potential risks and treatment targets.
Scientists from DGIST have developed a novel betavoltaic cell with dye-sensitized electrons, achieving high radiation-to-current conversion efficiency. This innovation offers promising opportunities for small, durable, and efficient nuclear batteries.
The 2020 Virtual National Health Research Forum featured discussions on vaccine development, with experts discussing the progress made in developing COVID-19 vaccines. The forum also touched on the importance of diversity and inclusiveness in scientific research and its impact on health equity.
A study published in Neurology found that anticholinergic drugs may accelerate cognitive decline in older adults, particularly those at risk for Alzheimer's disease. Researchers discovered that participants taking these medications were 47% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment over a decade.
A study by Professor Kai Kaspar found that people's motivation to socially distance increases with the severity of their perceived infection. Motivation to use corona apps also depends on trust in official providers and confidence in data handling, with users more likely to report higher motivation when they believe apps will help prev...
A literature review found that Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) caused significant cardiac damage, including coronary blood vessel dilation, depressed ejection fraction, and aneurysms. Children with MIS-C require lifelong monitoring and interventions due to the severity of the condition.
A systematic scoping review of 186 studies found that high levels of screen time are linked to unfavorable psychological outcomes, while green time is associated with favorable outcomes among children and adolescents. Young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds may be disproportionately affected by high screen time and low green time.
Two Russian phase 1/2 trials found that vaccine candidates induced an antibody response and elicited a T cell response in all participants within 28 days. The trials, involving 76 healthy adults, showed no serious adverse events over 42 days, paving the way for large-scale use of the vaccines.
Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have identified a nanobody that can block SARS-CoV-2 from entering human cells, offering potential as an antiviral treatment for COVID-19. The nanobody, Ty1, neutralizes the virus by binding to its spike protein, preventing infection.
A three-year research project funded by the USDA aims to analyze consumer preferences for US beef and estimate demand in select countries. The study will provide insights on economic implications of trade policies and strengthen the US beef export market.
A chemist from RUDN University created a green catalyst based on plant waste that reduces palladium consumption in cross-coupling reactions by up to half. The new catalyst is also reusable without decreasing efficiency, making it economically and environmentally friendly.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have discovered a plant protein that controls mineral and water uptake, leading to improved stress tolerance and reduced fertilizer use. This breakthrough has the potential to increase crop yields and food security, particularly for subsistence farmers.
A new study finds the world's oceans soak up significantly more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than previous estimates, with a net flux up to twice as much in certain times and locations. This accounts for approximately 10% of global fossil fuel emissions.
A UCL-led study found that unequal compensation reduces people's happiness and willingness to work. The research suggests that large disparities in rewards for the same task bring about greater unhappiness, leading to lower motivation and well-being. Participants who were told they would benefit from unfair advantages still showed a de...
A genome-wide association study identified specific genetic regions associated with SCAD, which also predict the risk of SCAD among individuals with fibromuscular dysplasia. The findings suggest a shared genetic basis for migraine headache and SCAD, highlighting the need for further research into its clinical implications.
Maestro, a predictive software developed by CSEM, analyzes weather forecasts and data from local infrastructure to determine the best time to consume energy. The system can reduce heating costs by approximately 20% and is designed to keep costs down, making it suitable for individual homes and entire neighborhoods.
A study by Yale researchers found that rhinovirus, the common cold virus, can prevent influenza virus from infecting airways by triggering antiviral defenses. This finding helps explain why there was no surge in swine flu cases in Europe during a similar period when the common cold became widespread.
Amy Murphy has received funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance for a Risk-Need-Responsivity project in Maricopa County, Arizona. The RNR tool will help match individuals with services based on their risk and need factors.
A recent study published in Nutrients found that consuming red and processed meat increases a protein compound linked to heart disease. High-heat caramelization during cooking can create compounds called advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which accumulate in the body and interfere with normal cell functions.
Researchers from Florida State University tracked nutrient levels in the Gulf of Mexico, discovering that nitrate from the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River System is not mixing with open waters. The study found 90% of Mississippi River nutrients are retained nearshore, with implications for managing human inputs to coastal ecosystems.
Two new collaborations aim to capture and control fusion energy, which powers the sun and stars. The partnerships bring together experts from PPPL and private companies Tokamak Energy and General Fusion to advance efforts in modeling and stability.
Researchers detected a slight tilt in the seismometer's signal during solar eclipses, likely due to ground cooling and deformation. This effect could be used to map Phobos' orbit with increased precision, important for future missions to the Martian moon.
Researchers at NIST create nanoparticles that can trap, emit specific colors, and alter polarization, allowing for precise control over the intensity of transmitted light. This technology has potential applications in improving optical communications and making currency harder to counterfeit.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found six independent predictors of inpatient mortality among children with severe acute malnutrition: HIV infection, diarrhea, pneumonia, shock, lack of appetite, and low weight-to-height ratio. Early recognition of these factors may help reduce mortality.
Researchers have developed a novel approach to manipulate catalyst active centers at the subnanometer scale, using nano-confinement to host multiple Fe and Cu single atoms in graphitic carbon nitride. This strategy enhances electrocatalytic performance and efficiency, particularly for nitrogen reduction reactions.
Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a new quantum technology that allows qubits to hold information for 10 milliseconds, 10,000 times longer than the previous record. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of large quantum computers.
Researchers investigate strata spanning critical intervals in Siberia to link eukaryotic evolution and Cambrian Explosion with deep-Earth processes. The study aims to provide insights into the coupled evolution of life and environment in Earth history.
A study by Makoto Sato and colleagues from Kanazawa University reveals that a gene called Dscam regulates the repulsion between neurons in fly brains, leading to the formation of columnar structures. This finding supports the radial unit hypothesis, which describes the development of the cerebral cortex in mammals.
Mason researchers are providing biostatistics and bioinformatic analysis for integrating multi-omic data sets from a breast cancer cohort. The study will include correlations between proteomic, metabolomic, genomic, and/or clinical data from patients with triple-negative breast tumors.
Erion Plaku, Associate Professor of Computer Science at George Mason University, has received $203,796 in National Science Foundation funding. He will oversee the Robust Intelligence, Foundational Research in Robotics, and National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes programs from August 2020 to August 2021.
The study found that heme can be commandeered by activated protein C (APC), which can reduce the toxic effect of heme while also reducing the risk of clot formation in the bloodstream. This interaction may provide new insights into blood coagulation disorders and hemolytic diseases.
The employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities increased from 28.1% to 28.8%, while the labor force participation rate also showed a modest increase. These gains are encouraging, but experts caution due to factors affecting economic recovery and COVID-19.
Researchers used UAVs to collect NDVI data at the seed increase stage of a CIMMYT wheat breeding program, showing heritable correlations with grain yield. Selection based on NDVI outperformed visual selection, suggesting improved resource-use efficiency and genetic gain.
Research by University of Queensland-led team finds biological control techniques saving farmers $20.1 billion to $26.8 billion annually in Asia-Pacific region. Biological control helps regulate invasive pest threats, particularly in key crops like banana, breadfruit and coconut.
Researchers analyzed the impact of a plain afforestation project in Beijing, finding that some forest patches showed worse growth due to interrupted afforestation. They also found that this project occupied fertile farmland, decreasing connectivity and compactness.
Researchers investigated the impact of sleep deprivation on glymphatic system function, which regulates waste removal in the brain. The study found that astrocytes play a crucial role in regulating this process, and disruptions to circadian rhythms can lead to neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
A new model prioritizes countries based on premature deaths caused by COVID-19, focusing on mitigating three types of harms: death and permanent organ damage, indirect health consequences, and economic destruction. The Fair Priority Model aims to reduce premature deaths and other irreversible health consequences from COVID-19.
A novel functional class of cortical neurons, known as holistic bursting cells, has been discovered to represent learned complex objects as wholes rather than parts. These cells exhibit a unique mode of high-rate, prolonged burst firing response to trained sounds, including chords consisting of multiple pure-tones.