Researchers propose that low-activity supermassive black holes are major factories of high-energy cosmic particles. They can generate gamma rays in the megaelectron volt range through plasma heating and accelerate protons to energies thousands of times higher than the Large Hadron Collider.
Researchers found that modulated 1070-nm light improved AD mice' memory and cognitive skills by reducing A± plaque buildup and promoting microglia responses. This non-invasive therapy may offer a novel approach to AD treatment.
A recent study by South Ural State University analyzed the relationship between informal employment and labor productivity in Russia. The researchers found that regions with high shares of informal employment experience volatile labor markets, which can negatively impact labor productivity and gross regional product.
Dr James O'Donoghue has been awarded the Europlanet Prize for Public Engagement 2021 for creating engaging and accessible space science animations. His work has reached over 200 million views on YouTube and is widely used in educational institutions around the world.
The Lundquist Institute has received a prestigious CIRM Scholar Research Training Award to support its PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and clinical fellows in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. The grant will enable the institute to create a stem-cell focused program, recruit researchers, and retain talent in the field.
A national task force endorses a new diagnostic equation for measuring kidney function, which removes racial data to increase access to transplantation for Black patients. The recommendation is supported by Penn Medicine research and aims to reduce disparities in healthcare.
The Chang'e-5 mission brought back nearly two kilograms of lunar rocks and dust, including a mix of 'exotic' fragments that may preserve records of other lunar surface areas. The youngest geological area of the Moon's nearside has yielded insights into past volcanic activity
Researchers at RIT have developed a new method for detecting superfluid motion that is minimally destructive, in situ, and in real-time. The technique uses laser light to detect the frequency of superfluid rotation, enabling scientists to study superfluids without disrupting their motion.
A survey study found that COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy decreased between late 2020 and early 2021. Nearly one-third of initially hesitant participants were vaccinated at follow-up, while over one-third transitioned to being vaccine-willing.
A UCL-led research team has discovered a new gene causing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an inherited heart condition. The study found that variants in the ALPK3 gene are responsible for 1-2% of adults with the condition, affecting approximately 1,250-2,500 people in the UK.
Researchers found that radiation therapy triggers heart muscle cells to express different genes and increase sodium ion channels, reducing arrhythmias. The treatment also continued to show benefits for at least two years in surviving patients.
Mechanical engineering researchers at Michigan Technological University have created a 3D-printable nanocomposite polymeric ink using carbon nanotubes. The ink's properties, such as electrical conductivity and increased strength, make it suitable for various applications, including aerospace and electronics industries.
Researchers have created a 3D pancreatic cancer tumour model using bioengineered matrix and patient-derived cells. The model exhibits patient-specific transcriptional profiles, CSC functionality, and strong tumourigenicity, enabling better reproduction of drug responses.
Researchers used Mars Odyssey data to identify sub-surface water ice deposits in temperate regions of Mars. Seasonal variations suggest significant quantities of water ice can be found beneath the surface, making them ideal resources for future human missions.
A study by Boston University researcher Jennifer Zuk found that the brain's organizational pathways, known as white matter, set a foundation for language learning abilities within the first year of life. This is reflected in children born with higher indications of white matter organization having better language skills five years later.
A systematic review presents evidence that environmental obesogens, such as hormone-disrupting chemicals, play a significant role in childhood and adult obesity. Dr. Leonardo Trasande recommends simple policies to reduce exposure and suggests economic benefits of limiting public exposure.
A new grant initiative aims to increase Tennessee's hardwood exports to Vietnam, leveraging the state's top three hardwood lumber-producing status. The project will assess market opportunities and provide trade insights, with the goal of capturing increased market share in Vietnam.
The EPFL team proposes a nature-inspired approach to recycling plastics by mimicking protein assembly. This method could break down synthetic polymers into different color-coded components, similar to proteins in nature. By applying this concept, the researchers aim to develop a sustainable circular economy for plastic recycling.
Female vampire bats with close social bonds leave the roost separately but reunite when hunting, indicating a preference for cooperative foraging. The study also reveals three distinct call types used during foraging trips, including one that may help identify friends and foes.
Researchers at WVU aim to characterize autism patients' behaviors using behavior-tracking technology. They plan to use artificial intelligence to identify traits associated with ASD, which could lead to more accurate diagnoses and personalized interventions. The study also has the potential to improve early detection in young children.
Researchers at WashU Medicine and University of Pittsburgh discover that Rift Valley fever virus uses a protein linked to cholesterol metabolism to infect cells. The finding could lead to therapies preventing or reducing the virus's impact by interfering with its entry into cells.
Research at CNRS reveals that compressed cell nuclei can lead to DNA damage and accelerated aging in healthy cells. In breast tumors, this damage enables tumor cells to invade neighboring tissues with increased risk of metastasis.
Scientists propose Source-independent Radiometric Calibration (SIRC) for high-accuracy infrared remote sensing, overcoming limitations of traditional methods. SIRC requires only temperature information and modeling to implement calibration, providing a more reliable and traceable way.
Researchers from Universitat Oberta de Catalunya developed a scientific method to determine the best measures to ensure social distancing between pedestrians. European cities are found to be the fairest towards pedestrians, while US cities struggle with this balance.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) has invested $300 million in 33 new investigators, who will focus on tackling tough questions in biology and medicine. The scientists, from 21 US institutions, will receive funding over a seven-year term to explore uncharted scientific territory.
By reading electrical signals in a bird's brain, researchers can predict specific syllables and when they will be sung. This breakthrough technology has the potential to develop vocal prostheses for humans with speech disorders.
A new study analyzes how micro (income) and macro (business cycle) conditions influence grocery shopping behavior, finding that households adjust their spending without changing budget constraints. Micro conditions primarily affect basket value, while macro conditions impact both basket value and allocation to store formats.
Researchers developed a feature selection algorithm that uses boosting to select relevant features from high-dimensional data sets. The algorithm outperforms other methods in terms of accuracy and number of features used, making it more scalable and explainable.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden found that COVID-19 disease severity is linked to the characteristics of white blood cells called granulocytes. Combined measurements of granulocyte characteristics and widely used biomarkers can predict key clinical features such as respiratory function and multiorgan failure.
Recent genome research has led to significant progress in understanding human evolution, cancer, polygenic traits, and functional genomics. New laws and technologies are also being developed to balance privacy and public safety, enabling the use of consumer genetic data in law enforcement investigations.
Researchers have identified four molecular factors controlling the formation of suberin in plant roots, allowing for the development of more resistant plants. These modifications optimize nutrient acquisition while protecting against environmental stresses like salt and toxic elements.
New research from Shibaura Institute of Technology reveals that spark plasma sintering produces highly dense MgB2 bulks with improved mechanical and superconducting properties. The resulting samples exhibit superior strengths and high trapped field performance, making them suitable for space applications and electric machines.
Researchers developed an AI technique, pMTnet, to predict which cell surface peptides are recognized by the immune system. The algorithm shows high accuracy in identifying binding or nonbinding combinations of neoantigens and T cell receptors.
A team of scientists developed a simple-to-implement plasmonic optical fiber biosensing platform to detect estrogenic endocrine disruptors. The platform can detect EEs down to 1.5 ng L^-1 estradiol equivalent concentration, the lowest limit of detection for any estrogen receptors-based detection reported to date.
Artificial neurofiber transistors with fibrous architecture similar to neurons can form artificial neural networks. The devices mimic signal summation functionality and have been used to create a 100-synapse system achieving recognition accuracy of 88.9% via speech recognition experiments.
Researchers developed avidin-conjugated nanocellulose, enabling attachment of biotinylated molecules and promoting 3D cell culture. The material supports efficient integrin signaling and high cell viability, indicating its suitability for applications like cell differentiation and tissue engineering.
A new study found that only 2% of randomized controlled trials in primary care were contradicted over 12-17 years. The majority of trials remained stable, supporting the use of evidence-based medicine. Researchers analyzed 408 trials published from 2002 to 2005.
Researchers at Kaiser Permanente identified a blood cystatin C test as an alternative to estimate kidney function, eliminating the need for racial considerations. The study showed that this approach produces similarly accurate results and may promote equity for people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.
A new study found that children who experienced sexual or physical abuse or neglect are more likely to die prematurely as adults. Adults who reported experiencing sexual abuse had a 2.6 times higher risk, while those who experienced physical abuse had a 1.7 times higher risk of premature death.
Scientists from UNIGE and UNIFR discovered that the brain misperceives tactile vibrations when their amplitude varies, creating an illusion. Humans are more sensitive to lower frequencies (around 250 Hz) but struggle to differentiate between higher and lower frequencies when amplitudes are not matched.
A new study suggests that extending the life of current cars can reduce CO2 emissions significantly more than replacing them with new, green vehicles. By keeping and using cars longer, the decrease in manufacturing emissions offsets additional emissions produced by existing cars.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a treatment combining casirivimab and imdevimab for patients with non-severe COVID-19 who are at highest risk of hospitalization. For severely ill patients, the recommendation is based on data showing reduced deaths and need for mechanical ventilation in seronegative patients.
A new machine vision system detects and quantifies radiation-induced defects in real-time, accelerating the development of nuclear components. The system uses a convolutional neural network to analyze electron microscope video frames, providing instant results on structural integrity.
A study analyzing online food ordering and delivery in Singapore found unhealthier eating habits during the pandemic, which continued even after lockdown measures ended. The results suggest a significant shift towards less healthy eating patterns during this time.
Researchers developed kirigami-processed cellulose nanofiber films that dramatically improve cooling functionality, reducing thermal resistance by about one-fifth. These films can be used to create new cooling devices for wearable electronics, addressing bulkiness and inflexibility issues.
Mental health professionals play a crucial role in encouraging COVID-19 vaccination by understanding individuals' thoughts and feelings about vaccination. The study highlights the importance of social experiences and direct behavior change opportunities for effective vaccination promotion.
Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a chemoenzymatic system that converts CO2 into starch with an efficiency 8.5-fold higher than natural biosynthesis. This innovative technology has the potential to produce starch from CO2 on a large scale, reducing the need for cultivated land and freshwater resources.
A new study reveals that the waters off New York and New Jersey provide an essential feeding ground for humpback, fin, and minke whales. The research highlights the importance of understanding whale behavior and habitat use in coastal regions to inform management decisions and mitigate human impacts.
Research by the University of Bristol found that children born to depressed mothers are more likely to develop depressive symptoms by age 24, with scores almost three points higher than offspring of non-depressed mothers. The study highlights the importance of antenatal and postnatal depression support.
Engineers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a carbon dioxide reactor that can convert CO2 into methane, a potential fuel source for Mars. The process, known as the Sabatier reaction, could reduce fuel needs by half for astronauts returning to Earth, making it a promising solution for future Mars missions.
Researchers analyzed data from over 3,200 brain metastatic tumors and discovered that different types of cancer tend to spread to specific parts of the brain. The study's findings may help predict where a particular cancer will metastasize and inform treatment strategies.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to study the action of SARS-CoV-2, enabling the examination of individual virus particles and their spikes. This analysis can help fine-tune prevention and treatment by providing insights into viral load, spike distribution, and cell infection potential.
Pollinators contribute significantly to global food production, particularly for small-scale farmers who rely heavily on these services. The author emphasizes the need for increased support and research efforts to maintain biodiversity and improve crop yields.
Researchers have identified a new complex formed by dopamine and noradrenergic receptors that could be a therapeutic target for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and impulsivity. The α2AR-D4R complexes are associated with the manifestation of ADHD and may offer a new perspective for designing future drugs.
A new study suggests that COVID-19 may trigger Guillain-Barré syndrome in some patients, particularly those over 50 years old. Researchers analyzed data from an international cohort of Guillain-Barré syndrome patients and found a strong association between COVID-19 infection and the development of the condition.
Researchers have successfully reconstructed the atomic structure of poxvirus RNA polymerase, which can produce mRNA independently. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new antiviral drugs and a better understanding of zoonotic diseases.
A medieval Spanish individual, known as the 'Segorbe Giant,' has been analyzed using ancient DNA. The research found that he had a mix of North African and local Spanish ancestry, suggesting a complex history of migration and intermixing. This study sheds light on a dark event in medieval Spain's past.
Researchers at University of California San Diego created a high-performance all-solid-state battery using pure-silicon anode, showing safe, long-lasting, and energy-dense properties. The new battery technology offers a promising path forward for silicon anodes, which were previously limited by liquid electrolytes.
TB202-3 binds to a specific area of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that has not been impacted by most viral mutations, making it an important candidate for clinical testing. The antibody demonstrates potency against multiple strains of COVID-19, including those with various mutations.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine research team has provided a definitive view of the biological process leading to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a dangerous inflammatory disease that can destroy a premature infant's intestinal lining. The loss of enteric glia leads to intestinal dysmotility, which is a key factor in NEC's genesis.