A team from Kazan Federal University and King's College London has developed a thermoplasmonic sensor that can detect phase transitions in nanoscale materials with high sensitivity. The sensor uses metallic nanoantennas to heat up the material, allowing for the detection of changes in its properties.
Researchers used slice-and-view scanning electron microscopy to uncover a twin boundary defect in a soft-block copolymer. The defect may be exploited to create materials with novel acoustic and photonic properties.
Researchers found that medium-sized terrestrial species suffered the greatest losses, implicating introduced mammalian predators as primary drivers. The study highlights the impact of colonial agriculture and habitat destruction on biodiversity.
A new study shows that breast cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, do not significantly increase the risk of Covid-19 infection or death. Researchers analyzed data from over 3,000 women treated for breast cancer during the pandemic and found that only 2% contracted the virus.
Researchers at Bar-Ilan University developed a novel solution combining light and ultrasound waves to create ultra-narrow filters in silicon integrated circuits. This innovation addresses the challenge of accommodating long delays required for narrowband filtering, enabling more efficient microwave photonic systems.
A new algorithm will be developed to predict hospital readmissions for patients with COPD, using a combination of social information and clinical data. The goal is to provide personalized care management interventions and reduce early hospital readmissions.
Sumit Sharma, assistant professor at Ohio University, has received a $511,902 NSF CAREER grant to investigate surfactant molecule adsorption on metallic nanoparticles. His research aims to develop a fundamental theory explaining the optimal surfactants for specific results.
Salps, small gelatinous organisms, are competing with protists for food in the ocean, rather than krill. This shift in understanding changes the ecosystem's carbon sequestration and food availability.
Researchers found that adding a third drug to dual-drug inhalers can reduce severe asthma exacerbations and improve asthma control in children, adolescents, and adults with moderate-to-severe asthma. The study included data from 20 randomized controlled trials involving almost 12,000 patients.
A new study reveals that the End-Permian extinction event, also known as the 'Great Dying', was caused by a rapid spike in global temperatures due to volcanic activity. The researchers found that the region experienced abrupt aridification and changed climate patterns, with high-southern latitudes serving as refugia for moisture-loving...
An analysis of nine studies found that active music-making can provide significant cognitive benefits to older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Music-based interventions have the potential to support millions of older adults in their emotional, social, and well-being needs.
A research team from Penn Nursing and the University of Pennsylvania is working with community leaders and organizations to develop targeted COVID-19 strategies, including testing and vaccine access. The goal is to address health inequities in Philadelphia's racial and ethnic minority populations.
A new study suggests that physical activity is linked to improved emotional regulation in early childhood, which in turn predicts higher academic achievement. The findings highlight the importance of ensuring access to physical activity for disadvantaged children.
By mapping the genetic underpinnings of type 1 diabetes, researchers have identified a predictive causal role for specific cell types, including pancreatic exocrine cells. This study provides a major leap in understanding the causes of type 1 diabetes and may lead to new treatments for reversing its course.
A new international study found that pet owners who follow gluten-free, organic or grain-free diets are likely to look for similar characteristics in their dog's food. The study also found that dog owners in Germany preferred grain-free dog food at a rate of 30%.
A study identified a tumor marker that can predict which breast cancer patients will benefit from early HER2 targeted therapy, helping to avoid disease relapse. The research found that low or absent MLH1 and PMS2 gene expression may indicate an increased risk of death from the disease.
A recent study published in Microbiome Journal found that soil protists respond to plant signals, shifting community compositions and altering nutrient cycling. This groundbreaking research highlights the importance of including protists in terrestrial ecological studies.
Researchers at Yale University found that autoantibodies in severe COVID-19 cases can attack healthy tissue and organs, leading to increased disease severity. The study also suggests that long-lived rogue antibodies may contribute to lasting medical symptoms, or long COVID cases.
Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have developed a non-contact probe that enables the analysis of single cells within tumors without disrupting their spatial configurations. The tool can also introduce foreign materials to selected cells, facilitating advanced studies on complex diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's.
A Belgian team discovered iron and nickel in the atmospheres of comets across the Solar System, even at great distances from the Sun. This finding has implications for understanding the early Solar System's composition.
A study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry reveals high levels of contaminants in killer whales near Norway, affecting their tissues and offspring. The findings also highlight the persistence and mobility of chemicals in marine ecosystems.
The Galactic Plane Pulsar Snapshot (GPPS) has discovered 201 pulsars using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), including many very faint and millisecond pulsars. The survey reveals more electrons in the Milky Way's spiral arms than previously known.
Research has found that strict lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic delayed normal cardiorespiratory development in adolescents. The study, which involved 89 children aged 12-14 from Spain, found lower levels of fitness and health based on age and sex.
Researchers at George Washington University found that extremist groups like Boogaloo and ISIS exhibit similar mathematical patterns in their online support, despite ideological differences. This knowledge can help social media platforms disrupt the growth of such groups.
Researchers analyzed genetic data from over 2,300 individuals with autism, identifying missense variants in 398 genes that may impact phenotypes. Patients with these variants tend to have lower IQ scores, shedding light on the complex relationship between mutations and autism severity.
Researchers discovered that phosphorylation of MECP2 protein decreases in brain cells as Alzheimer's disease progresses, while abolishing this phosphorylation enhances neuronal viability and gene expression. The study suggests that modifications of MECP2 could be a therapeutic target for developing specific therapies against AD.
A study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that total ankle replacement (TAA) provides better long-term function than ankle arthrodesis (AA) for patients with severe ankle arthritis. TAA resulted in improved patient-reported outcomes, including reduced pain and enhanced quality of life.
Researchers at the John Innes Centre identified a key gene controlling grain elongation and glume characteristics in Polish wheat, which could lead to improved productivity and sustainability in wheat production. The discovery highlights the importance of understanding genetic control of agronomic traits for major crops like wheat.
Researchers at University College London developed a robotic 'Third Thumb' that allows users to perform dextrous tasks with one hand. The study found that participants' brains adapted to the extra thumb, changing their natural hand movements and reporting it felt like part of their body.
A study of 43,000 reptile bone remains found that European colonization led to mass extinctions of 50-70% of snakes and lizards on the Guadeloupe Islands. The Indigenous populations had no impact on local reptile diversity.
The Canadian Syncope Risk Score is an accurate validated prediction score for emergency department patients with unexplained syncope. The study highlights the weaknesses of several risk tools previously published, and its impact on clinical decision making is not known.
The European Society of Endocrinology has confirmed the strong links between hormones and COVID-19, with evidence suggesting an 'endocrine phenotype' of the disease. Diabetes and obesity have emerged as comorbidities associated with severity and mortality of COVID-19.
Research finds herbivores weaken early emergers in California grass species, offsetting advantage of early germination. This discovery highlights the role of herbivory in shaping natural selection and evolutionary responses to global environmental changes.
The economic impact of Invasive Alien Species on Africa's agricultural sector is estimated to be $3.6 trillion a year, with cassava and citrus fruits being among the most affected crops. The study highlights the need for measures to prevent new species from arriving and established species from spreading.
Researchers found that a Western diet high in fat and sugar impairs intestinal immune cell function in mice, leading to increased gut permeability and chronic inflammation. Switching to a standard diet reverses the impairment.
Researchers have created human cells containing a green fluorescent protein (GFP) that can report on the innate immune response to viral infections. This new tool enables convenient investigation of the human innate immune response to coronaviruses and other viruses.
Researchers at IST Austria discovered that key synapses in the hippocampus can send information in both directions, influencing pre-synaptic plasticity. The mossy fiber synapse adapts to the post-synaptic neuron's activity status, improving information storage in downstream networks.
Researchers found altered connectivity in brain networks associated with goal-directed behaviour and increased executive network activity in women at risk of postpartum psychosis. This could offer a vital marker for resilience to relapse, enabling earlier intervention.
Researchers found that a virtual Summer Success at Home program was feasible, popular with teachers and parents, and had modest success in helping children learn literacy skills, early math skills, and emotion understanding. The study suggests virtual interventions may be successful in promoting kindergarten readiness skills.
Researchers found unique fingerprints of hypoplasia and agenesis in corpus callosum dysgenesis, using distinct plastic mechanisms to compensate for partial or complete lack of the corpus callosum. This discovery sheds light on brain plasticity and its relation to symptoms in patients with this condition.
A large survey of women in California found significant racial and ethnic differences in personal care product use, with Black women more heavily exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The study aims to fill the gap in data on products used by women of color and informs guidance for self-protection and policy development.
The Cool AMI EU pivotal trial evaluated the safety and effectiveness of systemic mild hypothermia as an adjunctive therapy to primary PCI in patients with anterior STEMI. The trial showed significant differences between treatment groups, including longer randomization-to-balloon time and total ischemic time.
The USPSTF has recommended lowering the age for colorectal cancer screening to 45 years of age, aligning with the American Cancer Society's 2018 guideline. This change aims to catch more early deaths and preventions due to increasing cases in younger individuals. Further research is needed to identify underlying causes and risk factors.
The CASTLE study investigated the role of imaging-guided percutaneous cardiac intervention (PCI) in clinical outcomes difference between ultra-thin strut biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stent (Orsiro) and durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents (Xience). The results show no significant differences in target lesion failure rat...
The discovery of plutonium-244 and iron-60 in ocean crust suggests violent cosmic events occurred near Earth millions of years ago. The study's findings imply that supernovae can produce these heavy elements, complicating our understanding of their origins.
A new study assesses the complex role of peatlands in wildfires and finds that their smouldering potential is often underestimated. The researchers warn that peat fires can be devastating and have significant feedback with climate change.
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology reports findings on Huntsman at Home, a cancer hospital-at-home model that demonstrates lower costs and better outcomes for patients. The study found that participants had 55% fewer hospitalizations and 47% lower healthcare costs compared to those who did not participate.
A recent study found that mindfulness-based meditation programs have similar rates of adverse effects to other psychological treatments, and identified key obstacles to harms monitoring. The study provides a blueprint for accurately assessing the risks of these programs and maximizing their efficacy while minimizing harm.
The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation and The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration recommend adopting best practices in designing exploratory trials, including rigorous statistical analyses and biomarker selection. These recommendations aim to reduce costs and improve patient engagement in clinical trials.
A recent study analyzed the association of county-level telemedicine use with community factors among people with commercial or Medicare Advantage insurance. The researchers found geographic variation in telemedicine use, which was attributed to local healthcare infrastructure and population demographics.
A new study characterized heart disease and cerebrovascular deaths by race and ethnicity during the US COVID-19 pandemic, revealing that Black, Hispanic and Asian populations experienced significantly higher relative increases in heart disease deaths, with a 19% rise compared to non-Hispanic whites. The study suggests that disruptions ...
A team of researchers developed a method to detect simultaneous sensor and actuator faults in wind turbines, eliminating the need for redundant hardware components. The approach uses a state observer model to identify discrepancies between the original system and its duplicate, enabling real-time fault detection and correction.
Researchers at Iowa State University are developing new models to predict soil erosion and topography changes in Iowa. The models use big-data technology and validate soil measurements from real-world LiDAR data, enabling more accurate predictions of environmental conditions.
A new framework combines renewable energy with flexible carbon capture, improving efficiency and reducing costs. The system utilizes dynamic operational schedules to manage complex decisions, providing an effective decarbonization mechanism for the current fossil-dominated energy landscape.
Researchers found that hygiene measures such as heat, soap, and alcohol treatment can effectively eliminate new coronavirus variants. The variants have similar surface stability to the wild type virus but can be rendered harmless by these methods.
Researchers found higher rates of testing and positivity in areas associated with food insecurity, which could obscure prevalence estimates. The study used Census-level data to compare testing and positivity rates with demographic data, highlighting disparities among Black residents.
Researchers identified specific influenza targets to protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from severe disease through a universal T cell-based vaccine. The study aims to harness immune responses to protect high-risk populations, including those with high HLA-A*24:02 protein prevalence.
A study found that people who have had dengue are twice as likely to develop symptoms of COVID-19. The research analyzed blood samples from a town in the Brazilian Amazon before and after the pandemic, revealing an increased risk among populations most exposed to dengue.
Researchers used directed evolution and mathematical modeling to test the Oxygen Control Hypothesis, finding that oxygen levels strongly constrain the evolution of macroscopic multicellularity. This contradicts previous theories suggesting oxygen should promote larger organisms.
A team of four scientists from Hokkaido University developed a rapid and efficient protocol for cross-coupling reactions using ball milling, expanding the pool of chemicals usable in organic synthesis. They successfully applied this method to mostly-insoluble aryl halides, yielding desired products.