Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that SARS-CoV-2 viruses grown in successive generations exhibit increased infectivity, binding to heparan sulfate, and reduced virulence. The study suggests that evolved strains may be used as a basis for development of stable live attenuated vaccines.
Married couples in supportive relationships showed a significant decrease in stress levels when watching horror movie clips with their partner compared to alone. The study found that spousal emotional support and relationship quality have a buffering effect on pupillary response to horror movies.
A campaign is being launched to encourage COVID-19 vaccination among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in New York State. The Einstein-Montefiore team has received grants from the state and federal governments to create tailored messages and content to counter vaccine misinformation and promote vaccination.
Some women report changes in their periods after COVID-19 vaccination, with over 30,000 reports made to the UK's MHRA surveillance scheme. While most changes are short-lived, research into this possible adverse reaction is critical for the success of the vaccination programme.
A study found that Filipino, Vietnamese, and Thai students are less likely to major in STEM fields and have lower math scores than other Asian American students. The research highlights the need for policymakers to understand the specific needs of underrepresented Asian American ethnic subgroups.
The new EQUIPS workflow provides a more accurate and reliable way to process 3D images for computer simulations. It uses machine learning to automate the drawing process and produces a range of simulation outcomes, allowing decision-makers to consider best- and worst-case scenarios.
Researchers found that subjects' heart rates synchronized even when listening to a story alone, as long as they were paying attention. This synchronization was predictive of conscious processing of the narrative, and had implications for understanding mindfulness and the brain-body connection.
Kazan Federal University researchers designed a unique dielectric cell to study gas hydrate formation and decomposition under pressure. The device's effectiveness was demonstrated, allowing for further investigation of hydrate inhibitors.
A new study suggests that prebiotics can help realign sleep-wake cycles and core body temperature after chronic disruption of rhythms, hosting health-promoting microbes and a different metabolome. Researchers hope to develop customized prebiotic mixtures for individuals with frequent circadian disruptions.
Researchers found that state-driven emissions controls are only slightly more expensive than federally mandated ones, with nationwide costs being one-tenth higher. This approach relies on technologies like low-carbon electricity and advanced biofuels, which can be traded between states to even out costs.
Researchers Lucas Parra and Jens Madsen found that listening to recorded narratives synchronizes heart rates among individuals, suggesting a link between cognitive processing and physiological responses. The study's findings have implications for understanding disorders of consciousness and determining prognosis.
Patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors show better quality of life and reduced symptoms compared to those without immunotherapy. The study analyzed self-reported outcomes of 26 published studies and found that patients' global quality of life was stable or improved, but breathing difficulties increased
The grant will support the work of the Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research in accelerating the application of scientific discoveries. The funding has enabled the establishment of over 70 services and programs to help Columbia researchers translate medical discoveries into treatments.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered changes in brain activity triggered by LSD, explaining altered behaviors such as reduced running speed and increased resting time. The study suggests that LSD disrupts the normal communication between brain regions, leading to a 'fuzzy' map of the environment.
A recent study published in Cell Reports reveals that genetic variants in the Nav1.2 sodium channel are a leading cause of autism, leading to overactive sodium channels and seizures. Researchers propose developing medicines to open potassium channels as a potential treatment for these patients.
Researchers at Kyoto University found that monkeys with impaired visual cortex can still identify hidden areas using visual signals, suggesting a possible mechanism for blindsight. The study's findings have implications for understanding human brain functions and artificial intelligence.
A study from OHSU found that almost 8% of patients with opioid use disorder died within 12 months of hospital discharge, comparable to those who suffered heart attacks. The researchers highlight the need for comprehensive addiction care and destigmatizing healthcare systems.
A team of researchers at Aarhus University aims to develop an optical sensor using terahertz light to decode the direction of tiny magnetic 'tornadoes' called skyrmions. Skyrmions offer a promising candidate for future bits in computer technology, requiring less power and generating less heat than current methods.
Researchers at Kyushu University successfully reconstitute the ovarian follicle from mouse stem cells, generating functional egg cells and growing viable mice. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for infertility and help conserve endangered animals through egg cell production.
Researchers at NCCR MARVEL identified lutetium oxide iodide (LuIO) as a high-performance material for spin-layer-locking spinFETs. They demonstrated the control of its properties with electric gates, providing practical guidelines for building and operating devices from this material.
Soil ecologists found that biobased plastics like PBSA degrade efficiently in the soil, even under future climate conditions, but excessive amounts can disrupt microbial communities and agriculture. The degradation process is influenced by fungi and a diverse bacterial community.
A large-scale trial will assess the effects of cocoa supplements and multivitamins on aging, including inflammatory factors and genetic changes. Researchers aim to determine if cocoa consumption can reduce age-related health issues such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
A new study from Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) reveals that the genetic capacity of the gut microbiome is strongly associated with weight loss success or failure. Microbiomes of those who lost weight had higher bacterial growth rates and were enriched in genes that divert dietary nutrients toward bacterial cell growth. In contras...
The study explores chromium oxides, magnetic compounds used in old tapes, and finds that adding oxygen atoms increases metallic properties. This allows for precise control over electrical conductance, enabling the design of molecular-sized components with vast processing and storage capacities.
The University of Kansas is leading a $250,000 project to support strategic links among US and international research networks in nuclear physics. The Accelerating Research through International Network-to-Network Collaborations (AccelNet) program aims to tackle grand scientific challenges with coordinated international effort.
Scientists have discovered a two-dimensional type I superionic conductor with high ionic conductivity and low thermal conductivity, making it a promising material for batteries, fuel cells, thermoelectrics, and environmental cleanup applications.
Researchers analyzed genome sequences and mobile phone data to track Covid-19 spread in Bangladesh. A three-day window between lockdown announcements and enforcement led to increased infections as citizens traveled to other areas.
A University at Buffalo-led research team has shown that the protein NANOG effectively reverses aging in skeletal muscle cells. The study found that overexpressing NANOG in myoblasts improved cellular characteristics associated with age-related deterioration, including autophagy and mitochondrial function.
A team of scientists found that brain regions responsible for working memory also gauge the quality and uncertainty of memories, enabling humans to make informed decisions. The study reveals that the same neural populations encode both content and uncertainty of working memory.
Researchers developed a nanofluidic device called an 'exosome nanoporator' to load exogenous cargo into exosomes. The device efficiently loads clinically approved antitumor drugs into exosomes without damaging them, enabling the delivery of these drugs to cancer cells.
A new study from La Jolla Institute for Immunology shows that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine generates durable T cell memory and antibodies, even in people over 70. The researchers found strong CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses to the vaccine, comparable to those seen in recovered COVID-19 patients.
Researchers suggest that protecting the microbiome is crucial in preventing and fighting off infections with harmful, drug-resistant bacteria. By preserving a healthy balance of beneficial microorganisms, individuals can reduce their susceptibility to these types of infections.
Researchers at MIT and Institut Pasteur have created an efficient method for assembling entire genomes, including the human genome, in minutes using personal computers. This approach uses minimizer-space de Bruijn graphs to store only a small fraction of nucleotides while preserving overall genome structure, enabling faster processing ...
Curtin University researchers have found the Moon may have been subjected to more extensive asteroid and body impacts than initially believed. By analyzing lunar impact events during its early formation, they discovered that these collisions could have left fewer visible cratering imprints.
Researchers identified DNA mutations from platinum-based chemotherapies in AML patients, suggesting treatment-associated cancer development. The study's findings imply that clonal hematopoiesis precedes chemotherapy exposure.
Researchers have created bispecific antibodies that target multiple regions of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, neutralizing virus variants and protecting hamsters from clinical disease. The new treatments may be especially effective against emerging variants due to their binding mechanism.
A subset of mononuclear phagocytes protects the kidney from toxic damage through a specific subtype called CD64-positive MNPs. Eliminating this subtype increases kidney damage, while promoting its proliferation could help mitigate drug-induced nephrotoxicity.
A novel population of long-lived T cells, called 'lymph node resident memory T cells,' provides protection against melanoma by persisting in lymph nodes. These cells were found to counteract melanoma spreading in mice and predicted better outcomes for human melanoma patients with lymph node metastases.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers disproves the idea that increasing brain urate levels can slow Parkinson's disease progression. The SURE-PD3 trial showed no therapeutic benefit to inosine treatment, which raises urate levels, and an increased rate of kidney stones among those treated.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that tree felling is the most dangerous job in forestry and landscaping industries, with a fatal injury rate 30 times higher than all U.S. workers. The study analyzed data from 2010 to 2020 and identified poor decision-making and falls from elevation as key causes of fatalities.
Analysis of survey data reveals shifts in health care spending in different US population groups, with significant increases in prescription drug spending between 2001 and 2018. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address these trends and promote more equitable healthcare distribution.
A study published in The Lancet Global Health found that nearly one-fifth of young people with tuberculosis (10-24 years old) in Brazil experienced adverse treatment outcomes. Factors associated with these outcomes included poverty, HIV, homelessness, and drug use, highlighting the need for greater attention to this age group in tuberc...
A study by Purdue University and collaborators has found a way to demonstrate habituation and sensitization in nickel oxide, a quantum material that mimics the sea slug's most essential intelligence features. This discovery could lead to building hardware-based AI with improved efficiency and reduced energy consumption.
A new study found that people tend to listen to and believe information that supports their existing biases, rather than seeking out contradictory evidence. This phenomenon, known as motivated reasoning, can lead to the amplification of biases and the spread of misinformation in online communities and financial markets.
A new study reveals that few recommendations exist for postpartum weight loss, with a focus on diet and exercise. Researchers emphasize the importance of supporting individuals with excessive weight gain or retention during pregnancy and the postpartum period to prevent obesity-related chronic diseases.
A novel method allows for the dynamic tracking and identification of tissue-specific secretory proteins in live mice, revealing distinct patterns from cell culture models. This breakthrough technique can be used to discover biomarkers and therapeutic targets with greater accuracy.
A Michigan Medicine study found that most patients with mild COVID-19 infections produce antibodies that persist and protect them from reinfection for up to six months. Nearly 90% of participants produced spike and nucleocapsid antibody responses, and all but one had persistent antibody levels at follow-up.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed transparent solar cells that can achieve silicon-rivaling efficiencies of 18% while lasting over 30 years. The breakthrough design incorporates zinc oxide and a carbon-based material buffer to protect against degradation.
A University of Queensland-led study reveals that hot spot volcanoes do not produce 'pristine' magma from the melting mantle but instead filter a different melt to the surface. This new information supports the notion that detection of magma at the crust-mantle boundary could indicate an upcoming eruption.
Researchers at Texas A&M University found that bacteria adjust their flagella to changes in fluid viscosity, enabling navigation and colonization. This adaptation, similar to proprioceptive adaptation, helps bacteria form swarms and colonize diverse environments.
The September issues of American Psychiatric Association journals explore innovative treatments for opioid use disorder and analyze the mental health implications of police reform. Research articles cover various disorders, including ADHD, anorexia nervosa, and cardiovascular disease in psychiatric patients.
Researchers discover brain forms a single motor plan to optimize task performance despite uncertainty, upending decades-old theory of motor averaging. The study used experiments and computational modeling to demonstrate the brain's ability to generate an optimal action choice under uncertain conditions.
A study by New York University researchers found that infant formula websites predominantly discourage breastfeeding and instead tout the benefits of formula feeding. The analysis of five major formula brands' websites revealed that substantial messaging focused on challenges associated with breastfeeding, such as low milk supply or la...
The study found that the Wntless (Wls) gene plays a critical role in heart regeneration in mice by facilitating signal molecule secretion from cardiomyocytes to cardiac fibroblasts. This promotes heart functional recovery by suppressing CF activation and reducing scar formation.
Researchers designed a tubular phononic crystal to sense biochemical and physical properties of liquids. The device demonstrates sensitivity to liquid density and speed of sound, making it suitable for sensing applications.
Researchers developed a machine learning model that identified promising compounds for treating yellow fever. The team synthesized five of the most active molecules and found one with a half-maximal effective concentration of 3.2 uM, suggesting a potential new antiviral drug.
A new study found that cholesterol produced by astrocytes is required for controlling amyloid beta production, leading to the accumulation of insoluble plaques. Blocking this cholesterol manufacturing reduced amyloid beta production in lab mice, offering a potential strategy against Alzheimer's disease.
Hospitalized COVID-19 patients have a higher risk of carrying autoantibodies that target their own tissues or substances secreted by immune cells. This could lead to full-blown autoimmune disease. Vaccination is seen as a way to boost the immune system without triggering the production of these harmful antibodies.
Scientists at the University of Bonn and IPK discover that plants use signaling molecule InsP8 as a proxy for overall phosphate status. ITPK1 enzyme plays a key role in this process, regulating phosphate sensing and mobilization. The findings have far-reaching consequences for sustainable crop production.
Researchers investigated methylammonium lead iodide's ferroelectric nature and photovoltaic properties, finding a freezing temperature of 270 K and a novel phase diagram. The study advances perovskite's potential for energy conversion and storage applications.