Researchers at Arizona State University have discovered a worked bone assemblage found near the Atlantic Coast of Morocco dating back to 120,000 years ago, suggesting the manufacture of clothing during this period. The find provides strong evidence for the emergence of complex culture and specialized tool manufacture in early humans.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered that LRP1 is the vehicle by which retinol enters myeloid cells, suggesting a potential target for treating inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease. The study also found that inhibiting this process could boost immune activity, making oral vaccines more effective.
Researchers have discovered a new technique to locate the diffusion wake's signal in the quark-gluon plasma, a subatomic soup that flowed like a friction-free fluid after the Big Bang. This breakthrough may help scientists understand how matter emerged from this perfect fluid.
The study uses the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider to recreate Big Bang conditions, observing a significant enhancement of Ds±/D0 yield ratio compared to PYTHIA simulations. This confirms the role of quark-gluon plasma in open-charm hadron production.
A study compared four voice assistants - Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, and Cortana - to assess their accuracy in providing information on cancer screening. The top three assistants provided consistent information with USPSTF guidelines roughly 70% of the time.
A new study by University of Bath psychologists suggests that Spice, a synthetic drug, is more harmful than cannabis and causes more severe withdrawal symptoms. Participants who tried to quit Spice reported experiencing sleep issues, irritability, and low mood, among other symptoms.
Researchers at the University of Central Florida have identified food products that can alter a person's saliva to reduce the transmission potential of airborne pathogens. By adding ingredients like ginger, cornstarch, and xanthan gum to food products, people may be able to make masks more effective or even reduce their need for them.
Researchers developed DamageMap, an AI system that uses machine learning to identify building damage from post-wildfire images, achieving 92% accuracy. The system can analyze satellite and aerial photos to pinpoint damaged buildings, providing immediate results for first responders and fire victims.
Scientists have developed a new therapy that combines bacteriophages with antibiotics to treat antibiotic-resistant infections, specifically targeting Mycobacterium abscessus. The treatment, using the bacteriophage 'Muddy', showed significant improvement in survival rates and severity of infections when paired with rifabutin, demonstra...
A recent study found that women with higher levels of PFAS in their system are 20% more likely to stop breastfeeding early. This is significant because almost every human on the planet is exposed to these endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which can have detrimental effects on reproductive health.
Researchers developed a new material that can form nanoscale thickness water-resistant coatings with self-healing properties. The coating is robust enough to survive scratches and has potential applications in various industries.
A recent review of international studies found that persistent symptoms after COVID-19 infection were most common among children with pre-existing health conditions. However, symptoms rarely lasted beyond 12 weeks in young people, suggesting long COVID may be less concerning than in adults.
A Japanese research team has improved an optical tissue clearing method to diagnose cancer, enabling 3D visualization of tumor tissues in just a week. The new approach uses zwitterionic hydrogels to rapidly remove fats from tissues, reducing processing time and improving diagnosis accuracy.
A new study predicts that climate change will cause a sudden shift in algae distribution pole-wards over the next 100 years, affecting marine ecosystems. The UK is among the areas most likely to be severely impacted due to its warm waters, with changes potentially occurring before previously thought.
The European facility will study samples from asteroids and the Moon at a macroscopic level, unlocking exciting science on the formation and evolution of planetary bodies. The first instruments will be delivered in summer 2022, with the laboratory expected to fully operational by 2023.
Researchers found 62 bone tools at Contrebandiers Cave, Morocco, with shaping and use marks indicating they were used for scraping hides to make leather and furs. The discovery highlights the pan-African emergence of complex culture and provides evidence for the earliest clothing in the archaeological record.
A new species of enantiornithine with a pintail has provided insights into the importance of sexual selection in early avian evolution. The discovery highlights the diversity of tail plumages evolved by this clade and challenges previous hypotheses about aerodynamic costs.
An Australian study found that trust in government approval of safe COVID-19 vaccines is the primary driver of vaccine uptake. Perceived effectiveness in protecting others was also a significant factor. The study revealed lower rates of vaccine uptake among younger, unemployed individuals and those with lower altruistic beliefs.
A study found that elevated mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cell activation is strongly correlated with poor immune coordination and increased mortality in severe COVID-19 patients. In contrast, focused immune responses driven by interferon-alpha are associated with survival.
A recent study employs machine learning to guide the design of novel materials for CO2 capture, identifying elemental composition and textural properties as key factors. The research team's findings suggest prioritizing adsorption parameters and surface area optimization for high CO2 adsorption efficiency.
A new study by CSU social psychologist Jennifer Harman finds that parental alienating behaviors closely resemble coercively controlling violence, intimate terrorism, and battery. The research highlights power imbalances in families affected by parental alienation, emphasizing the need to treat it similarly to other forms of abuse.
Research finds that plastic particles do not increase pollutant mobility in soils, with contaminants remaining in upper layers. This means they can potentially be taken up by crops and microorganisms, entering food supply.
The SETI Institute and Unistellar are providing eVscope telescopes to 25 community colleges in the US, along with training workshops and network collaboration opportunities. The eVscope is a powerful telescope that gives access to 200 times more targets than conventional telescopes, including galaxies, nebulae, and supernovae.
Researchers aim to produce enough mRNA vaccines from spinach and lettuce to rival traditional shots. They're exploring chloroplasts as a key to making plant-based mRNA vaccines that can be stored at room temperature.
A comprehensive investigation of a lake landscape in southern Wendland reveals that strong rises and falls in water levels were caused by climate changes, soil erosion, and vegetation. The study provides valuable insights into how landscapes respond to climatic shifts and offers clues for predicting future changes.
A new University of Illinois study integrates field data and advanced mathematical modeling to understand how cover crops affect soil water, nitrogen, and oxygen dynamics. The research finds that proper management of cover crops can balance their benefits with cash crop yields, while ignoring the impacts without optimization.
Researchers have discovered a new species of otter in Germany that dates back to 11.4 million years ago. The Vishnu otter genus was previously known only from Asia and Africa, but this finding suggests they also occurred in Europe.
Research reveals that dopamine levels increase with stressful stimuli, rewriting the 'pleasure molecule' narrative, and suggesting new treatment approaches for psychiatric diseases and addiction. The discovery has significant implications for understanding dopamine's role in behavior and developing evidence-based treatments.
An international team used the MUSE instrument to map a galactic wind and observe the formation of a nebula around a galaxy, revealing some of the Universe's missing baryons. This discovery confirms that 80–90% of normal matter is located outside of galaxies.
Land plants underwent major diversification in two dramatic bursts, driven by the development of seeds and flowering plants. The second burst was more dramatic, giving rise to intricate reproductive structures like those found in passionflowers.
Research finds that 19 species of fish have migrated to shallower water in response to low oxygen conditions over a decade and a half. This trend could lead to devastating impacts on fisheries and ecosystems as fish habitats are compressed and potentially made easier to catch.
Researchers propose a framework to clarify common terms used in population, community and public health, aiming to reduce confusion and ambiguity. The shared language framework enables effective collaboration among clinicians, public health professionals and policymakers.
New research reveals that the evolution of cichlid jaws is linked across multiple levels, challenging a quarter-century-old assumption. This finding highlights the importance of evolutionary constraints in shaping biodiversity, and suggests that they may play a wider role in the evolutionary success of species around the world.
Scientists have identified tube-forming proteins in mycobacterial outer envelope that enable protein secretion. The discovery, using x-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, reveals a novel method for studying substance transport mechanisms in pathogenic mycobacteria.
Researchers have successfully formed rings made of three pyrroles for the first time, which could be used to produce compounds with unique properties. The discovery explains why tripyrrolic macrocycles were not observed before due to strain issues.
A research group synthesized a Pb-alloyed Cu catalyst, showing high activity for electrochemical CO2 reduction with selectivity to formate. The study reveals a multi-path mechanism for CO2 reduction through COOH* and HCOO* intermediates.
Global demand for aquatic foods is set to double by 2050, with aquaculture production expected to meet the majority of this growth. This 'blue food revolution' has the potential to tackle malnutrition, lower environmental footprints and provide livelihoods, particularly in regions where people rely heavily on these systems.
A team of researchers has discovered a new group of coral-infecting microbes called Corallicolida. Despite lacking photosynthetic genes, they express chlorophyll genes and may still play a role in their host cells. The authors propose that Corallicolida could be an ancient parasite that lost its photosynthetic machinery.
A new study found that genome-wide association studies (GWAS) results from people with European ancestry can still be applied to predict breast and prostate cancer risk in diverse groups. However, the findings emphasize the need for more diverse participants in GWAS analyses to realize the full potential of polygenic risk scores.
Researchers found statins significantly decrease the rate of surgical treatment, anti-inflammatory medication use, and hospitalization for patients with ulcerative colitis. Patients taking statins had a 50% lower risk of colectomy and were less likely to be hospitalized.
A new fluorescent probe, NeutropG, selectively stains healthy neutrophils in blood samples, allowing for accurate quantification. The Metabolism-Oriented Live-cell Distinction (MOLD) method enables the selective identification of active neutrophils without affecting their native functions.
A new study found that people infected with COVID-19 exhale infectious virus in their breath, putting others at risk. Using tight-fitting masks can reduce the amount of virus in the air by half.
Researchers found that patients with MS receiving aCD20 treatment generated robust CD4 and CD8 T cell responses to the COVID-19 vaccination. The study measured both antibody and T cell responses in 20 patients with MS who were undergoing aCD20 treatment, compared to those in a group of healthy controls.
Pancreatic cells display adaptive response to repeated inflammatory episodes, reprogramming gene expression and epigenetic regulation that cooperates with mutant KRAS to promote tumor formation. Inflammation drives long-term changes in epithelial cells that select for cancer-causing mutations.
A new study reveals unexpected trends in coral reef condition and its environment, contrary to prevailing scientific expectations. The authors found that local threats such as pollution do not lead to a decrease in coral cover, and biogeophysical forcings poorly predict ecosystem-scale coral reef condition.
A study found that psychological factors and social determinants of health, such as race, education, and food security, influence a patient's likelihood of undergoing bariatric surgery. Patients with depression, anxiety, lower education, and SNAP benefits were less likely to receive surgery.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have created an experimental model of cardiomyopathy in inflammatory arthritis, replicating symptoms in RA patients. The study identifies a potential therapeutic approach to treat cardiomyopathy in RA patients.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have found that pocket gophers are biofluorescent, emitting a colored glow when illuminated with ultraviolet light. The phenomenon has been documented in flying squirrels and opossums before, but this is the first time it has been observed in pocket gophers.
Researchers developed a simple and fast way to create complex semiconductors by growing 2D perovskites precisely layered with other materials, resulting in crystals with wide electronic properties. The assembly takes place in vials where chemical ingredients tumble around in water, with barbell-shaped molecules directing the action.
A new protocol has been established to guide healthcare professionals on donning and doffing personal protective equipment during home visits. The protocol aims to address gaps in existing guidelines, providing a clear step-by-step process for healthcare workers interacting with patients potentially infected with COVID-19.
A Bristol-led research team has identified specific receptors for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine that re-route information flowing through memory circuits in the hippocampus. The discovery holds promise for developing new, safer treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.
Researchers study social support networks and health outcomes of over 670 Hispanic and non-Hispanic lung cancer patients to understand the Hispanic Health Paradox. The study aims to identify cultural differences in social interactions that influence health outcomes.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong discovered a way to steer the spreading direction of liquids on a surface inspired by the Araucaria leaf. By adjusting the surface tension, they can control the liquid flow direction, with implications for fluidics design and heat transfer enhancement.
A University of Queensland-led study found that nearly 85% of coastal areas leach sediment to coral reefs, a major threat. Reforestation can help by reducing sediment transport, increasing light levels for coral growth and reproduction. Land restoration is crucial for building coral resilience.
Patients with bipolar disorder experiencing manic episodes show abnormal brain changes, including faster cortical thinning, compared to those without episodes. The study also found associations between brain ventricle enlargement and accelerated cognitive decline in bipolar patients.
Researchers found that AI and non-AI tools can improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and experience of care in pre-visit planning. However, few technologies have been independently evaluated, suggesting a need for rigorous evaluation to harness their full potential.
Researchers have found that certain peptides can target the internal mechanisms of bacteria, making them effective against antibiotic-resistant microbes. The study suggests that these peptides could be used to design therapeutic agents that succeed where standard antibiotics fail.
Researchers discovered a two-cell color detection system in lampreys, which they propose could be the evolutionary ancestor of single-cell systems in fish and reptiles. The study found that this ancient system produces similar responses to UV and visible light as modern single-cell systems.
Researchers at UC Berkeley found that tumors release chemicals compromising the blood-brain barrier, leading to inflammation and tissue wasting. Blocking these chemicals could extend life span and improve health for cancer patients, reducing the need for toxic drugs.
Researchers found that aging workforces, characterized by a higher ratio of workers 56 and older to those ages 21-55, are associated with increased robot deployment in 60 countries. This study suggests that automation adoption is partly driven by labor shortages, particularly middle-aged labor needed for blue-collar work.