Researchers uncover how seamounts lubricate tectonic plates, preventing large earthquakes. The study suggests a key difference in the northern and southern parts of the Hikurangi Margin, which contributes to the region's high earthquake activity.
A new study predicts that global warming will lead to a sharp increase in heat-related deaths, outstripping the decline in cold-related mortality, unless strong mitigation measures are taken immediately. The Mediterranean Basin is expected to be disproportionately affected due to its greater vulnerability to heat.
A new grant is expanding a Texas tobacco program to target substance use patients in rural communities. The program aims to reduce smoking rates among individuals with psychiatric disorders and substance dependencies.
Researchers developed a miniature 3D bone-like tissue model to investigate the effects of anti-androgen therapies on prostate cancer bone tumours. The study found that traditional therapy had limited effect, with interactions between cancer cells and the bone microenvironment significantly impacting disease progress.
A new AI tool automatically measures fat around the heart from MRI scan images, linking it to increased diabetes risk. The tool was tested on over 45,000 people and accurately calculated their risk of developing diabetes.
A new study from Cardiff University found that the UK public views COVID-19 as a threat primarily because of government-imposed lockdowns. People who judged the risk based on this fact were more likely to support lockdown measures. Once restrictions are lifted, public perception may shift, and the threat may be downplayed.
Climate scientists have developed an improved three-month preseasonal forecast for the Indian monsoon onset using machine learning. The predictions show accuracy of +/- 4.8 days and cover climate changes since 1948, offering a promising basis for future research.
Researchers used digital pens to capture participants' performance during cognitive tests, identifying patterns that correlate with physical function. They found groups of participants who had similar patterns of writing and thinking times, which were linked to poorer physical function or memory/executive function scores.
A nationwide study found mRNA COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduce the risk of infection by up to 91% in fully vaccinated individuals. For those who develop breakthrough cases, vaccines also shorten symptom duration and severity.
Research found a significant correlation between lower UVB light exposure and higher rates of colorectal cancer across all age groups. Vitamin D deficiency may play a role in this association, particularly for people over 45, who may reduce their risk by correcting deficiencies in vitamin D.
The European Society of Cardiology has announced the ESC Congress 2021 press programme, featuring live hot line sessions and embargoed press conferences. The programme will showcase new data on heart failure, valvular heart disease, cardiac arrest, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation.
Scientists from Würzburg, Germany, have identified a protein in the plant Arabidopsis thaliana that detects and translates acidic conditions into an electrical signal. This discovery could lead to more tolerant crops for waterlogging conditions.
Plant-based diets are recommended for healthy adults, with low consumption of salt and animal products, and increased intake of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts. Fermented dairy products like yogurt and cheese can also have a protective effect on cardiovascular health.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) have synthesized two new thermally stable zeolites with improved catalytic activity. PST-32 and PST-2 exhibit higher activity than zeolite Y in producing ethylene and propylene, key raw materials for chemical products.
A new study reveals that microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, play a crucial role in regulating brain wiring by sculpting inhibitory neurons. The research showed that microglia interact with GABA-emitting inhibitory synapses through direct physical contact, a process enabled by advanced imaging techniques.
Researchers are investigating social factors that protect or increase Indigenous peoples' vulnerability to COVID-19 and VOCs. Eight projects, funded by CoVaRR-Net, aim to create a Canadian Wastewater Surveillance Database to track variant spread and vaccine effectiveness.
Researchers found that certain personality types excel in specific countries and years due to environmental factors like predator presence and beechmast availability. This suggests that spatial and temporal variation in selection promotes the maintenance of behavioral differences within species.
A University of Houston study found that diverse recruitment committees can significantly increase the number of women and underrepresented minority applicants. Women-led search committees resulted in 23% more women applying, while URM-led committees attracted over 100% more URM applicants.
A team at Tokyo Medical and Dental University identified four proteins that bind to Toc-HDOs, regulating gene silencing. The discovery provides a novel biological mechanism for Toc-HDOs, increasing understanding of how they silence genes.
Researchers at UNIST developed a novel metasurface with zerogap technology, enabling flexible and durable reconfigurable optics. The technique allows for high modulation depths and can be used in various applications such as electromagnetic wave shielding and polarization conversion.
Researchers identified regulatory variants near the GDF5 gene associated with knee osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia. The study found two distinct mutations that can cause both diseases, paving the way for potential screenings and treatments.
A team from Osaka Prefecture University has developed a method to design and control the path of electron flow in a polycrystalline material, enabling high conductivity in a controllable direction. This breakthrough paves the way for the creation of next-generation thin-film smart devices.
Researchers analyzed molecular analysis data from a pediatric melanoma registry, identifying diverse subgroups and their characteristics. The study found that spitzoid melanomas often have gene fusions and benign clinical courses, while conventional melanoma patients with advanced disease had poorer outcomes.
A study has identified a microRNA-like small RNA encoded by SARS-CoV-2 as a reliable biomarker for stratifying severe COVID-19 patients from mild/moderate ones. This biomarker enables early detection of high-risk individuals, allowing for optimized treatment and improved treatment outcomes.
A new study finds that the microbiome of grasses plays a crucial role in their ability to withstand drought. Healthy bacteria in grasses can provide nutrients, protect against pathogens and UV radiation, and help manage drought. However, under severe drought conditions, the bacterial communities become less diverse and more harmful.
Chromosomal instability linked to cellular senescence in Drosophila study reveals mechanisms that could lead to reduced tumour growth and malignancy. Senescent cells cause inflammation and promote abnormal tissue growth.
Researchers at UNIGE found that chromosomal site location is transmitted through an epigenetic process, allowing offspring to inherit correct positions even without gene information. This epigenetic memory only lasts for one generation and affects the survival of mutant worms.
Researchers at Linköping University developed a method to create structural colours for use in reflective colour displays, enabling manufacturing of thin and lightweight displays with high energy-efficiency. The new method uses electrically conducting plastics and can produce all colours in the visible spectrum.
A new analysis of 27 randomised trials involving nearly 11,000 patients found that interleukin-6 antagonists reduce the risk of death and mechanical ventilation in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Administering one of these drugs with corticosteroids reduces the risk of death by 17% compared to using corticosteroids alone.
Researchers have successfully connected ultrathin semiconductors with superconducting contacts for the first time, enabling new quantum phenomena and potential applications in electronics. The study uses monolayer molybdenum disulfide with superconducting contacts to exhibit unique electronic properties.
A 15-year study on Guam's native cycad tree found that transplanted individuals have a high mortality rate when introduced to foreign soil, with less than 10% surviving long-term. The results highlight the importance of considering local adaptation for conservation efforts.
Researchers analyzed all relevant COVID-19 studies to determine if cardiovascular drugs affect disease severity, hospitalizations, and deaths. The study found that patients with COVID-19 should continue taking their prescribed cardiovascular medications.
Scientists found that Mercury's large iron core is linked to the early sun's strong magnetic field, which pulled metal grains inward. This discovery sheds light on the formation of rocky planets' cores and their elemental distribution.
Alvarezsaur dinosaurs reduced in size from turkey-sized to chicken-sized around 95 million years ago when they transitioned to an ant-based diet. Their bodies also underwent significant changes, including modified claws and a shift from flesh-eating to termite consumption.
Researchers discover pharmacological activation of p53 triggers viral mimicry response, abolishing tumor immune evasion and promoting anti-tumor immunity. The findings have potential for developing new combination therapies that can increase cancer patient access to immunotherapy.
Scientists at the University of Groningen discovered how a folding protein cytochrome c interacts with mitochondria, leading to programmed cell death. The study found that cytochrome c is partly unfolded during this process, allowing for the regulation of cell death through drug development.
Researchers discovered a code in the liver epigenome that promotes regeneration, enabling pro-regenerative genes to activate when signaled. This finding has potential to inform regenerative medicine for non-regenerative organs like lungs and hearts.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo discovered that SARS-CoV-2 infects and replicates in salivary glands, leading to high viral loads in saliva. The study suggests that tissues specializing in saliva production serve as reservoirs for the virus.
The UK HealthCare team has been awarded a prestigious CDC grant to optimize stroke prevention and care in Kentucky. The three-year grant will focus on implementing comprehensive stroke systems for those at high risk and stroke patients, with the goal of reducing mortality rates and addressing disparities.
Researchers at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science have developed high-power Er3+-doped mid-infrared lasers with peak powers over 0.33 MW and repetition rates up to 150 Hz. The lasers achieved quasi-continuous signals, making them promising candidates for dental ablation surgery and optical parametric oscillator applications.
Researchers have developed a new method to build nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing compounds from feedstock chemicals using PcFe as a catalyst. The reaction offers high efficiency and yields up to 88% with a low activation energy of 4.8 kcal/mol.
Scientists at ORNL developed a modular design for 3D printing power poles from bioderived materials, enabling quick restoration of electricity after natural disasters. Additionally, they demonstrated wireless charging technology on an autonomous electric vehicle, advancing the transportation industry towards a decarbonized future.
Researchers found that castration of male sheep leads to delayed DNA aging compared to intact males, with epigenetic clocks and DNA methylation patterns differing between the two groups. The study's findings also suggest a link between castration, male hormones, and sex-specific differences in DNA aging.
Researchers have found that our brains use the same cognitive processes to identify both real and imagined human faces. This 'face pareidolia' allows us to quickly detect faces in objects like the moon or cheese on toast, but also enables us to analyze their expressions.
Researchers used AFM-IR, ToF-SIMS, and fluorescence microscopy to study bitumen surface composition and structure. The study found that the surface is heterogeneous, with individual molecular assemblies distributed in a specific pattern.
A group of older adults called 'superagers' have been found to maintain the same level of neural differentiation as young adults, enabling them to create distinct representations of visual information and accurately recall image-word pairs. This study used fMRI to understand how superagers learn and remember new information.
A new study using EDGAR database shows that urbanisation has led to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions in high-income countries. The majority of global emissions occur in urban areas, with some exceptions like NH3 emissions, which are mostly driven by agricultural activities.
A study suggests that known geochemical processes cannot explain the high concentration of methane detected by Cassini spacecraft on Enceladus. Mathematical models suggest that microbial hydrothermal vent activity or abiotic processes could be responsible for the methane production.
At-risk children who participated in a mindfulness curriculum gained an average of 74 minutes of sleep per night, with rapid eye movement sleep also increasing. The study found that the curriculum was protective against sleep losses typically seen during this age period.
Researchers analyzed 99 vinegar fly species to understand how sex pheromones evolve and impact mating behaviors. The study found that male-specific compounds are abundant, while female-specific compounds are scarce, suggesting a crucial role for males in transmitting chemical signals.
A study found that counterfeit dominance negatively impacts Anglo-American consumers' perceptions of authentic luxury fashion brands, while having little effect on Asian consumers. This is due to cultural differences in social-adjustive attitudes, with Anglo-Americans relying more on outgroups and Asians on ingroups.
A study published in Nature Communications suggests that Southeast Asia can decouple electricity supply and environmental protection by embracing renewable technologies like solar energy. The research reveals that only 82% of planned dams are necessary, and halting construction would have minimal impact on electricity costs.
Researchers discovered a link between theta rhythm of the brain and gender differences in attitudes towards risk. The study found that men showed a higher risk appetite than women, with stronger frontal theta asymmetry and oscillations in the anterior cingulate cortex correlating with risk-taking behavior.
Researchers at Penn State designed a synthetic defective SARS-CoV-2 virus that interferes with the real virus's growth, potentially causing its extinction. The therapeutic may be used as a self-promoting antiviral treatment for COVID-19.
Researchers interviewed people receiving palliative care about losing independence with intimate hygiene, revealing the importance of two-way communication and empowering individuals to influence their care. The study aims to raise awareness among health professionals about providing dignified support.
Researchers have identified two new palaeotheriidae mammals, 'Leptolophus cuestai' and 'Leptolophus franzeni', from the Eocene epoch in Spain. These ancient animals had atypical dental features and were smaller than modern horses.
Researchers explore integrating reactive oxygen species generation and prodrug activation to enhance cancer therapy. Stimuli-responsive nanomedicines can target tumors, generating ROS that activate drug release, offering promising synergetic therapy strategies.
The study found that APOBEC4 is highly expressed in cells and tissues attacked by SARS-CoV-2, such as epithelial cells in the lungs and gastrointestinal tract. This knowledge could lead to characterizing antiviral cell status attributed to AID/APOBECs specific to patients and correlating it with organ damage and COVID-19 severity.
Researchers developed a low-cost, accurate gas sensing device that can detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air samples within 10 minutes. The device has potential applications in monitoring indoor air quality and non-invasive medical screenings.
The study found that streams with high detritivore diversity have higher rates of decomposition, but also discovered that the loss of these organisms can slow down this process. The researchers concluded that if detritivores continue to decline, ecosystems will struggle to sustain life due to reduced nutrient recycling.