A new study by UC San Francisco finds that individuals with HIV are more than twice as likely to die from sudden cardiac death due to fibrosis in the heart. The study also reveals that one-third of sudden deaths initially attributed to cardiac causes were actually caused by drug overdoses.
Research published in BMJ Open suggests community pharmacy can support COVID-19 vaccination campaigns by addressing vaccine hesitancy and concerns. Community pharmacists can work with diverse ethnic backgrounds to enhance vaccine uptake rates.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine developed an improved oligonucleotide therapy strategy that can correct gene defects underlying cystic fibrosis. The approach has shown promising results in both human cells and mice, with potential applications for treating other pulmonary diseases.
A new study from Aalto University recommends that government subsidies for clean-energy heating be allocated to areas where homeowners can least afford the upfront cost, namely those with lower housing prices. This approach aims to promote energy-efficient heat pumps and reduce carbon emissions in Finland's residential buildings.
Mesobot, a versatile underwater robot, provides unprecedented insight into the mid-ocean twilight zone. The robot tracks and records high-resolution images of zooplankton, gelatinous animals, and particles, greatly expanding scientists' ability to observe creatures in their mesopelagic habitat with minimal disturbance.
A study of 3,758 individuals found that those with diabetes, obesity, rheumatologic disease, or organ transplants had longer positive PCR test results. The median length of time for negative results was 16-22 days in immunocompromised and non-immunocompromised groups respectively.
A new study suggests that alternate-day intermittent fasting may offer no unique health benefits over a standard daily diet. In contrast, traditional daily energy restriction resulted in greater weight and fat loss. The researchers note that longer studies with larger groups are needed to confirm these findings.
Researchers report on seven patients hospitalized for acute myocarditis-like illness following COVID-19 vaccination. All symptoms resolved before hospital discharge after treatment with beta-blocker and anti-inflammatory medications.
Researchers at Northwestern University have identified a novel target for a drug to treat SARS-CoV-2 and potential future coronaviruses. The new therapy could be taken early in the disease to prevent severe symptoms.
A new study predicts a decline in lightning-caused ignitions but an increase in the size of wildfires by mid-century. Human-caused fire ignitions are expected to remain steady, while climate change is expected to worsen social inequalities and lead to more extreme wildfire events.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered how cells can remember and respond to environmental pressure by adjusting their protein structures. The team found that an optimal concentration of cross-linkers allows proteins to strengthen under stress, enabling the material to 'remember' past experiences.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have developed a new type of joint inspired by spiders' hydraulic actuation mechanisms. The joints use electrohydraulic forces to enable robots to move rapidly and interact with various environments, making them ideal for small-scale robotic systems.
Astronomers have explained Betelgeuse's sudden dimming by a cloud of dust formed from stardust, which temporarily blocked the star's light. The discovery was made using new images taken with the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope.
Researchers found that human life expectancy increase is not due to slowing aging but rather improved survival rates among children and young adults, supporting the 'invariant rate of ageing' hypothesis which suggests a relatively fixed rate of ageing across species.
A decade of ancient genome analysis has shown that early humans were resilient and capable, exploring new environments with no prior knowledge. This discovery challenges previous theories on human behavior and highlights the importance of genomic evidence in understanding our history.
Researchers at Dartmouth College discovered that the brain uses a 'steadycam' strategy to stabilize visual experience, perceiving frames as stationary even when they're clearly moving. This 'paradoxical stabilization' effect creates the illusion of stable images, similar to how our brains discount motion in everyday life.
A new study found that between 51-60% of the world's rivers stop flowing periodically, highlighting the need for a paradigm shift in river science and management. Non-perennial rivers provide critical water sources and support biological diversity, but are often overlooked and mismanaged.
Researchers at Southern Methodist University have found that P-glycoprotein can transport amyloid-β proteins out of the brain, which are associated with Alzheimer's disease. This discovery could lead to new treatments for the disease affecting nearly 6 million Americans.
International collaboration identifies four correlated metals in two-orbital systems, including a Hund's metal that can give rise to superconductivity. The discovery overturns conventional wisdom and opens up new avenues for understanding strongly correlated materials.
A recent study by the National Food Institute found that clotrimazole, an over-the-counter fungicide, can significantly alter sex hormones in pregnant rats and their developing fetuses. This exposure was observed at concentrations comparable to those experienced by human mothers taking clotrimazole to treat vaginal thrush. The research...
Experts from Kazan Federal University and partners have tested novel gel particles to improve oil recovery in high-temperature and mineralized reservoirs. The new technique showed a significant increase in recovery, up to 100 thousand tons, and proved the efficiency of reagents under harsh conditions.
The EU is funding a 15 million euro project to develop an integrated 'pan-Arctic Observing System of Systems' (pan-AOSS) via international collaboration. The project aims to improve the situation by expanding and coordinating Arctic Earth observation capacity, including measurements from Indigenous communities.
A team of researchers has proposed a new explanation for the origin of supermassive black holes, suggesting that they are formed through the collapse of a massive seed black hole produced by the gravitational instability of a dark matter halo. This process, known as gravothermal collapse, can lead to the creation of a seed black hole w...
Researchers analyzed 25 years of Antarctic data, finding that ozone levels near the ground have risen by up to 0.14 ppb per year, primarily driven by natural and human sources. This increase can have negative impacts on the region in the future due to ozone's ability to trap heat near Earth's surface.
Researchers developed semiconducting passivation layers to inhibit dendrite formation, enhancing battery stability and safety. The new technology improved battery capacity by up to 81% compared to conventional Li electrodes.
A Horizon 2020 project aims to develop an efficient biotechnological production platform that creates synergy between strain engineering strategies and microbiomes. The project will create novel treatment options in biomedicine beyond biotechnology, leveraging the resilience of microbial communities and their metabolic plasticity.
A new computational framework simulates the dissemination of Type 2 diabetes guidelines, highlighting the impact of sociocultural context and complex social interactions. The Culturally Infused Agent Based Model (CI-ABM) improves analysis and prediction of guideline-dissemination behaviors.
Researchers analyzed visual complexity of written language in 47,000+ characters from 133 scripts, finding large scripts have more complex characters and complexity driven by linguistic units, not evolutionary change.
A study found that sex trafficking survivors' trauma affects their parenting, causing them to be overly protective and emotionally withdrawn. Despite this, they cope by finding meaning in motherhood and social support, and often experience strong connections with their children. The research highlights the need for policies and program...
Summer Thyme, a University of Alabama at Birmingham assistant professor, is one of five Pew Scholars focusing on brain research. Her $75,000 grant will support her four-year investigation into neurodevelopmental disease using zebrafish.
The study found that 88% of mobile health apps can access and potentially share personal data, including advert identifiers, email addresses, and geolocation information. Clinicians are advised to inform patients about potential privacy risks before installing and using these apps.
Anthropologists at Binghamton University have received a grant from the National Geographic Society to study ancient Rapa Nui communities' water management techniques. Their research will focus on coastal seeps and inland resources, shedding light on how past populations dealt with freshwater scarcity.
Researchers have determined how peptides derived from PEDF protect neuronal cells in the retina layer, which could lead to treatments for degenerative retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration. The study found that these peptides work by binding to a protein receptor and processing omega-3 fatty acids like DHA.
Researchers identified a new gene, TP73, associated with an increased risk of sporadic ALS. Mutations in this gene have been found to interfere with nerve cell health and lead to abnormal cell differentiation and increased cell death. This discovery provides a potential target for therapy development.
A new study suggests accredited zoos have acquired the rare and legally protected earless monitor lizard without export permits, raising concerns about their involvement in wildlife trade. The acquisition of these protected lizards by zoos is contrary to international regulations and national laws.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have developed a technology that uses non-intrusive sensors to perceive drivers' and passengers' moods and adjust driving modes accordingly. This innovation addresses major issues with autonomous vehicles, such as accurately predicting human behavior.
Researchers design new stimulation protocol for optic nerve stimulation to produce consistent and meaningful visual sensations. They use machine learning approaches to optimize protocols, which have shown promising results in artificial neural networks and psychophysical tests.
A distinctive inflammatory signature has been found in C90RF72 ALS patients, characterized by an increase in pro-inflammatory molecules in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. This finding informs the development of targeted anti-inflammatory therapies for this subgroup of ALS patients.
A large international randomised clinical trial found that induced hypothermia in unconscious cardiac arrest patients did not reduce mortality. The study included 1900 adult patients and showed a slightly increased risk of impact on blood circulation and cardiac arrhythmia in the group treated with hypothermia.
The National Institutes of Health is funding a research consortium to develop methods for calculating polygenic risk scores (PRS) in people from different ancestries, particularly those with admixed ancestry. Researchers at UCLA will focus on incorporating genetic diversity into PRS to yield accurate and equitable predictions.
A team led by Dr. Shoufeng Lan is investigating the use of electromagnetic control over the synthesis of chiral compounds at an atomic level, which could lead to safer and cheaper pharmaceuticals. The researchers hope to create chiral seeds at the atomic scale and transfer chirality using cutting-edge technologies.
Scientists developed a new copper catalyst with sharp needle structures, enhancing CO2 reduction reaction efficiency by mitigating electrolyte flooding and increasing selectivity. The study published in Journal of the American Chemical Society showcases the stability and productivity of the hierarchical Cu electrode.
A new study by the University of Surrey found that drivers in developing cities inhale a significant amount of fine air pollution particles even after spending short time in pollution hotspots. The research also showed that cities with lower GDP per capita experience higher economic losses due to PM2.5 car exposure.
A study from University of California San Diego demonstrates the possibility of re-creating a bird's song by reading its brain activity, laying the foundation for building vocal prostheses for humans. The approach uses machine learning algorithms to map neural patterns to mathematical equations modeling the physical changes in the bird...
Researchers discovered a stem cell-mediated defense mechanism that reactivates dormant tuberculosis in mice infected with SARS-CoV-2, suggesting potential for new vaccines and avoiding global TB pandemic. This discovery may help develop novel therapeutic approaches against COVID-19 and target antiviral activities.
Researchers used ALMA to detect a galactic wind driven by a supermassive black hole 13.1 billion years ago, pushing back the start of galaxy-growth interactions by 100 million years. The observation reveals coevolution between supermassive black holes and galaxies since less than a billion years after the Universe's birth.
A study replicated Paleolithic lighting systems using archaeological evidence, revealing diverse features among the different systems. The researchers found that wooden torches worked best for exploring caves, while grease lamps were suitable for lighting small spaces over a long period.
Researchers found that COVID-19-related crowdfunding campaigns were more successful in affluent communities, where people had more resources to donate. Despite the challenges of online crowdfunding, the study highlights existing socioeconomic divides and suggests that it can exacerbate inequality.
A recent study found that a small percentage of cells in aggressive tumors can enable metastasis by recruiting surrounding cells. This discovery could lead to new approaches in preventing malignant progression of breast cancer, particularly in triple-negative types.
A new study reveals that American Indian and Alaska Native individuals are underrepresented in clinical studies, with only 1% of participants from these groups. The authors call for further research to improve ethical inclusion in clinical research.
Researchers found a clear relationship between temperature and aggressive incidents, with hotter weather linked to higher rates of incidents. There were on average 15% more aggressive incidents on days over 30°C compared to cooler days.
The NIH is investing $38 million to develop methods for using polygenic risk scores to predict disease in diverse communities. The new consortium will pool genomic information from existing and new datasets to improve the accuracy of polygenic risk scores across different ancestries.
Researchers found deficits in neuronal function and cognitive impairment in newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients, with some impairments continuing six months after diagnosis. PET brain scans showed a significant recovery of regional neuronal function and cognition in most patients.
Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital discovered that early-stage lung cancer tumors hijack immune cells called tissue-resident macrophages to facilitate their invasion of lung tissue. This process allows the tumor to evade the immune system and grow into more deadly stages of cancer.
Scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine developed a computational technique that greatly increases the resolution of atomic force microscopy, revealing atomic-level details on proteins and biological structures. The new method allows researchers to study biological molecules under physiologically relevant conditions, providing high-resolu...
A new study found a significant association between Head Start teachers' depressive symptoms and their students' math achievement, with the linkage being through the quality of family-teacher relationships. This relationship was found to affect children's motivation, engagement, and persistence in learning.
Researchers from Australian National University warn that climate change may be causing more deaths among Australian marsupials, including the greater glider, due to heat-induced eating habits. The study highlights the importance of protecting food sources and restoring nutrient-rich forests to help these animals survive.
Samer Shehata, a University of Oklahoma professor, has received the International Affairs Fellowship from the Council on Foreign Relations. The fellowship will allow him to analyze U.S. foreign policy toward the Middle East and observe how autocratic regimes cooperate and maintain power.
A new study published in Science Translational Medicine found that intermittent fasting diets are not the most effective way to lose weight. Participants who followed a traditional diet with reduced calorie intake lost more weight and fat mass compared to those who fasted on alternate days.
Scientists have developed an inexpensive transparent coating that can capture airborne aerosol droplets, reducing the spread of respiratory diseases. The coating, made from common cosmetic ingredients, was tested on various surfaces and found to trap nearly all incoming aerosols.