A new study suggests that COVID-19 made unequal access to food worse, especially for low-income people of color. Despite the pandemic, dollar stores and small local grocers saw only a small decline in customer levels compared to large grocery stores.
A McMaster-led study found that abelacimab prevents blood clots for up to a month after surgery, reducing the risk by about 80% compared to enoxaparin. The treatment also has potential to treat other cardiovascular conditions, such as stroke and deep-vein thrombosis.
The study analyzed data from 9,859 COVID-19 infections and found that people under 45 with certain chronic conditions had a greater than threefold increased risk of severe infection. Cancer was the biggest difference in risk between younger and older age groups.
A new study reveals the second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine induces powerful immune system responses, including broad antiviral protection and enhanced innate immunity. The research strongly supports skipping the second dose, as it stimulates a manifold increase in antibody levels and a terrific T-cell response.
The global Phase 2/3 study with opaganib in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 pneumonia has completed patient treatment and follow-up. The company expects to report top-line results in the coming weeks, which will determine the efficacy of opaganib in treating COVID-19.
A study published in Evidence-Based Mental Health reveals that one in eight children have mental disorders requiring treatment, but most will not access services. The authors highlight the need for increased investment in children's mental health budgets and effective interventions.
Scientists have found a low-cost way to split off oxygen molecules from water using sunlight, paving the way for more efficient production of clean hydrogen. The breakthrough uses a technique that creates electrically conductive paths through a silicon dioxide layer, allowing for stable and efficient water splitting.
Researchers developed a θ-SIR model to simulate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 strains and vaccines on COVID-19 propagation. The model estimates that insufficient vaccination rates can lead to new waves, even with effective reproduction numbers below 1.
An international team of scientists uses archeological digs and palaeoclimate records to study human interactions with the environment during past climate-change events. This approach can help identify tipping points in climate history and provide insights into how cultural diversity has contributed to human resilience.
A new study found that many parents recognize signs of sleep-disordered breathing in their children but fail to bring it up with their doctor. Parents are advised to check on their child's sleep quality and share concerns with their doctor to catch potential health issues early.
Pikas reduce their metabolism to conserve energy during harsh winters, resulting in a 30% decrease in daily energy expenditures. In areas with high yak populations, pikas exploit an easily accessible food source, yak feces, which may help explain their relatively abundant presence.
Scientists have identified a dual-control system that regulates the release and recycling of synaptic vesicles, enabling precise signal transmission. Calcium channels Ca2 and Ca1 are spatially segregated, with Ca2 required for exocytosis and Ca1 enhancing endocytosis, demonstrating separate control of these processes.
A recent study reveals that many Latinx immigrants have concerns about COVID-19 testing, treatment, and contact tracing, affecting their willingness to engage with healthcare services. The findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive and accessible healthcare solutions to address these concerns.
The new course will use real-life scenarios and technology to help students see how they can apply calculus to solve problems in the world. Students will be able to choose from a variety of homework sets and worksheets based on their interests, and an electronic textbook with free access will also be available.
Researchers found that sleep twitches guide the transformation of redundant to complex electrical activity in the motor cortex of rat pups. By four days after birth, sleep twitches are essential for developing this neural network, marking a key developmental transition.
A new study from the University of California, Berkeley suggests that parents may talk less to their kids when experiencing financial scarcity, contributing to the 'word gap' in vocabulary. Researchers found that parents who described recent experiences of resource insecurity spoke fewer words to their children during laboratory observ...
A new test with 'unprecedented early detection power' is being developed by a University of Houston researcher to detect cancer biomarkers in blood. The liquid biopsy method uses exosomes, small vesicles containing surface proteins and genetic materials, to improve the accuracy of measuring minimal residual disease (MRD) in cancer tumors.
A study published in Nature Communications found that COVID-19 antibody levels remain high for at least nine months after infection, regardless of symptoms. The research tested over 85% of an Italian town's residents and found no significant difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic cases.
Researchers found that cancer cells in lymph nodes avoid immune destruction due to increased physical forces causing impairment of T cell entry. Alleviating solid stress with losartan boosts blood vessels and T cells, suggesting a potential strategy to improve immune responses.
A global team has found that wild pigs are releasing significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, with estimated emissions of around 4.9 million metric tonnes annually. This is equivalent to the annual emissions of approximately 1.1 million cars and highlights the impact of invasive species on climate change.
Researchers studied inflammation's role in scarring of the central nervous system in three diseases: multiple sclerosis, aquaporin-4 antibody positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated disorder. In MS, scars lead to nerve fiber degeneration and slow worsening of disabili...
A new study reveals genome duplication events in ancient gymnosperms led to the origin of pines and other conifers, enabling them to adapt to changing ecosystems. The research suggests that duplicated DNA gave rise to unique traits such as diverse cone structures and egglike roots.
The study found that El Niño led to higher plant mortality rates in forests with a history of human disturbance, resulting in significant carbon dioxide emissions. Plant growth was only able to offset 37% of the emissions three years after the start of El Niño.
Luay Nakhleh's team will use single-cell DNA data from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to identify mutations at the root of the disease and how they evolve in tumors. By building open-source models and tools, they aim to refine cancer treatments and predict patient outcomes.
A new, inexpensive biopolymer dressing is being developed to heal chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers. The dressing addresses the high cost of existing treatments and has shown promising results in pilot trials with 13 patients.
Researchers analyzed DNA repair targeting in cutaneous apocrine sweat gland carcinoma (CAC) cells with a PALB2 aberration. They found sensitivities to BET-bromodomain inhibition and modest sensitivity to DNA-PKi, ATRi, WEE1i, and PARPi. The study also identified a potential therapeutic opportunity for targeting PALB2 deficient cells th...
Researchers have developed novel approaches to resolve low-level vision in videos caused by rain and night-time conditions, as well as improve 3D human pose estimation in videos. These techniques can be used to enhance the quality of night-time videos and rain videos, addressing visibility issues during these environmental factors.
A new study finds that LGBTQ+ students in conservative school districts experience more bullying, leading to higher rates of psychological distress and suicidality. In contrast, students in liberal districts report lower levels of bullying and teacher intervention.
Scientists discovered that cells from different organs are differentially susceptible to activating mutations in cancer drivers, leading to distinct outcomes. The findings highlight the importance of understanding tissue-specific genetic networks and interactions to develop precise molecular interventions.
Researchers are developing an app, Helping the Helpers, to support caregivers in managing medications for patients with dementia. The app uses user-centered design to address the unique needs of caregivers, aiming to improve medication adherence and safety.
AgTech NEXT 2021 explores intersections of agriculture, innovation, and climate change. The event features thought-provoking discussions on carbon markets, geospatial sciences, and food security.
Research finds that giant tortoises on the Galapagos Islands with human contact have higher bacterial resistance to antibiotics, posing a threat to public health. The study suggests that human activities are facilitating the dispersal of antibiotic resistance into the environment.
Scientists found that HtrA1 protein levels decrease with age in individuals with chromosome 10 risk variants associated with age-related macular degeneration. The study identified HtrA1 as a protective factor, suggesting it maintains the integrity of the RPE-Bruch's membrane interface.
A new study led by Dr Gizachew Tessema found that a 15-year-old WHO recommendation to wait at least 24 months after a previous birth may be too long for mothers in high-income countries. The research discovered no increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes after an interpregnancy interval of less than six months.
A new portal, gEAR, enables researchers to easily utilize complex genetic data from sophisticated studies, advancing medical discoveries in hearing loss. The tool provides visualizations of datasets and allows inputting of own data for comparison, saving time and facilitating analysis.
Cosmic rays play a critical role in the final stages of supernovae explosions, allowing for a bigger impact on surrounding interstellar gas. The study suggests that these particles can give an extra push to the gas, increasing momentum by up to 4-6 times.
Researchers studied protein bubbles and discovered they pop like blooming flowers when deflated with a needle due to viscoelastic properties. High-speed cameras captured the phenomenon at 20,000 frames per second, revealing unique mechanisms of rupture.
The Vascular Bioengineering Lab at the University of Pittsburgh has received a $100,000 award to develop a predictive model for abdominal aortic aneurysms. The model will use machine learning algorithms to classify different types of aneurysm outcomes and provide personalized management plans for patients.
A patient with no previous history of facial nerve palsy developed two episodes of Bell's palsy after receiving Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine doses. The author suggests a potential link between the vaccine and Bell's palsy, emphasizing cautious use for those at risk.
Researchers explore how smell influences flavor perception, finding that participants performed better when unfamiliar scents were introduced without labels. This study suggests cognitive strategy and learning play a key role in aroma detection.
Researchers reconstructed the encounter with ATLAS's tail using combined measurements from Solar Orbiter's instruments. The model indicates that the ambient interplanetary magnetic field 'drapes' around the comet, forming a central tail region with a weaker magnetic field.
Researchers developed a small molecule that reads through premature stop codons in genes, restoring CFTR protein function. The compound, SRI-41315, showed greater readthrough efficiency than its predecessor, SRI-37240, and acted synergistically with G418.
Researchers warn of devastating consequences for coral reefs as three key species experience changes in distribution due to the climate crisis. Conservation efforts are urged to focus on regions such as the Abrolhos region and the Gulf of Mexico.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo are using mathematical models to simulate COVID-19 infections and test drug efficacy. The models allow for virtual trials, helping narrow down effective treatments before clinical trials begin.
A UCSF-led study matched CT scans with patient prognosis in concussions, revealing lingering impairment for some patients. The research found specific patterns of brain injury associated with worse outcomes, while others showed complete recovery.
A new study from Université de Montréal found that sexually diverse youths with depression are more likely to use cannabis. The study analyzed data from over 1,500 adolescent participants and found a fivefold stronger association between depressive symptoms and increased cannabis use in LGB youth.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology report that T cells can be engineered to clear tumors without succumbing to T cell exhaustion. Altering CAR T cells to overexpress BATF boosts the 'effector' program, making T cells better against solid tumors.
A review suggests lockdowns may not be associated with large numbers of deaths in countries that avoided large COVID-19 epidemics. Lockdowns also did not lead to increased deaths from suicide, but mental health declined during the pandemic, making it challenging to separate lockdown impacts from COVID-19 itself.
The study found that AIM2 inflammasome is at the intersection of COPD and lung cancer, with higher expression correlating to lower survival rates in smoking COPD adenocarcinoma patients. This suggests that the AIM2 inflammasome may be a potential target for developing novel treatments for COPD patients who develop lung cancer.
Researchers analyzed tree ring data to determine Asian monsoon variability from 4680 BCE to 2011 CE. The findings revealed a significant decrease in precipitation, leading to megadrought and accelerated dispersal of ancient civilizations, ultimately harming Neolithic societal development.
A recent study published in eNeuro found that male-derived brain cells exhibit a stronger synaptogenic response to thrombospondin-2 compared to female-derived cells. This difference is driven by how neurons respond to the protein, resulting in varying synaptic formation mechanisms between sexes.
The Royal Astronomical Society has launched a new gold open access journal, RAS Techniques and Instruments, to bridge the gap between generalist and specialist journals in these fields. The journal will publish high-quality papers on instrumentation, data science, machine learning, software, and numerical methods.
Researchers at the U.S. Army's Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies identified a new material that absorbs impact more efficiently than steel, Kevlar, aluminum and other materials of comparable weight. The nanoarchitected material features impressive properties like exceptional lightness and resilience.
The study found that cancer cells become less stiff after exposure to chemotherapy drugs, but the rate of stiffness change decreases under hypoxic conditions. Alteration in cytoskeletal structure influences overall cell functions, including signaling, communication, adhesion, transport, and tumor metastasis.
Scientists at Tohoku University have developed a new mathematical model to predict the properties of carbon-based materials. The Standard Realization with Repulsive Interaction (SRRI) model abstracts key effects and reveals relationships between changes and resulting properties.
The L452R mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein evades human immune response via HLA-A24, a common allele in East/Southeast Asian populations. This mutation also enhances viral infectivity and replication efficiency.
Removing invasive barred owls from western US coastlines had a significant positive effect on the survival of northern spotted owls, arresting population declines. The treatment also allowed spotted owls to disperse into previously occupied territories.
Researchers at GIST develop a novel framework that achieves state-of-the-art accuracy in multi-object tracking using deep temporal appearance matching association (Deep-TAMA). The approach combines joint-inference neural networks with long-short-term-memory networks to overcome challenges such as occlusions and lighting changes.
Researchers found that consuming protein at breakfast increases skeletal muscle growth and function in humans, as seen in a study of women aged 65 and above. The study's findings suggest that the timing of protein intake is crucial for maintaining skeletal muscle health, with early morning consumption being particularly beneficial.
A team of scientists has developed a comprehensive understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 protein-based machine responsible for viral replication. By analyzing its structure and function, they have identified potential weak spots for drug development, paving the way for new treatments.