A comparative study found that Heat not Burn products may cause reduced endothelial function and increased oxidative stress in users, similar to conventional cigarette smokers. The study suggests that these products should not be recommended for smoking cessation or as a less harmful alternative.
A Mayo Clinic study found that 15.5% of patients with colorectal cancer had inherited gene mutations, which can be detected through universal testing and broader gene panels. This discovery has the potential to lead to targeted cancer therapies and earlier disease detection in families.
SourceMayo Clinic·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateApr 19, 2021
Researchers identified serum amyloid A (SAA) as a potential biomarker for COVID-19 risk, with higher levels associated with increased inflammation, clot abnormalities, and organ damage. This biomarker could help facilitate early identification of patients requiring aggressive management and monitoring.
SourceFlinders University·JournalInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateApr 18, 2021
Researchers at Osaka City University have developed a method to exfoliate materials using UV light, achieving the world's fastest rate of 260 microseconds. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize photoactuator production and enable precise manipulation in areas inaccessible to traditional power sources.
SourceOsaka City University·JournalCrystal Growth & Design·DateApr 18, 2021
Researchers found that prolonged warm water causes coral heat stress, disrupting nutrient cycling and leading to starved corals. Monitoring nutritional status can help anticipate bleaching problems.
SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 18, 2021
Researchers create nanostructured bimetallic catalysts with enhanced activity and stability, offering a cost-effective alternative to noble metal-based catalysts. The new material is stabilized on a conductive surface using a polymeric material, enabling predictable catalysis performance.
SourceInstitute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalNanoscale Advances·DateApr 18, 2021
Scientists have discovered a new species of large, tropical centipede in Okinawa and Taiwan, which is the largest in the region. The species, named Scolopendra alcyona, exhibits amphibious characteristics and prefers streamside environments.
SourceTokyo Metropolitan University·JournalZootaxa·DateApr 17, 2021
Researchers discovered human activities releasing CO2 and pollutants impact North Atlantic weather patterns. The study predicts up to a decade-long warning for changes in weather and climate.
SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·Journalnpj Climate and Atmospheric Science·DateApr 17, 2021
Researchers have gained new insights into volcanic behavior and can now track unrest before eruptions, enabling early warnings for local authorities and the public. The study provides a detailed description of Sierra Negra's 2018 eruption, capturing its inflation, fracture, and caldera resurgence.
SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 17, 2021
A large study found that increasing physical activity levels is associated with a reduced likelihood of heart events and mortality in people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Participants who showed moderate to large improvements in physical activity were 30% less likely to develop cardiovascular disease or die ...
Alpine plants are losing their white protective coat as snow cover melts earlier, extending the growing season and increasing frost risk. By the end of the century, continuous snow cover for 30 days below 1,600 meters is expected to be rare.
SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalClimatic Change·DateApr 16, 2021
Researchers found that age, social and economic class, and access to resources are more influential than urban density in spreading COVID-19. Urban districts with lower income and older populations were more at risk for the disease despite having low density.
SourceHiroshima University·JournalSustainable Cities and Society·DateApr 16, 2021
A team of researchers from McGill University has made a groundbreaking discovery about fast radio bursts (FRBs), revealing that they include lower frequency radio waves than previously detected. The study used the combined capacities of two radio telescopes, CHIME and LOFAR, to detect FRBs at frequencies as low as 110 MHz, shedding new...
SourceMcGill University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 16, 2021
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the stellar beta-decay rate of 59Fe, which is essential for predicting the yield of 60Fe in massive stars. By measuring this rate, they eliminated a major nuclear uncertainty and found that the yield of 60Fe is 40% less than previously predicted.
SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 16, 2021
Researchers have discovered surprisingly shallow magma pools too small to be detected by common volcano monitoring equipment, posing new risks for eruptions. These hidden magma bodies challenge conventional views of magma detection and may lead to more explosive eruptions than expected.
SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateApr 16, 2021
New methods to detect doping compounds in urine samples using ion mobility-mass spectrometry will help regulatory agencies track existing dopants and future 'designer' compounds. Baltic amber's therapeutic effects have been pinpointed, potentially leading to new medicines for antibiotic-resistant infections. Scientists also report a wa...
A new sweat sensor can detect elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients with respiratory infections, including COVID-19. The device measures tiny amounts of passive sweat to track cytokine levels, potentially reducing hospitalizations and deaths.
Researchers at Monash University have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the deleterious immune response in rheumatoid arthritis. By examining the molecular and cellular levels of T cell recognition, the team identified an immune signature that may provide a potential avenue for diagnostic development or therapeutic inter...
SourceMonash University·JournalScience Immunology·DateApr 16, 2021
Researchers have proposed a new microscopic theory of polymer gel collapse, shedding light on the dramatic reduction in volume of zwitterionic hydrogels when cooled. The theory explains the role of electrostatic interactions between polymer units in leading to gel collapse, and identifies key parameters that influence this transition.
SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalChemical Communications·DateApr 16, 2021
A study by Zhang et al. has uncovered evidence of ancient marine algae in fossilized remains from 1400 million-year-old rocks, 600 million years earlier than previously known. The findings suggest that both green and red algal groups were present in marine ecosystems at this time.
SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalPrecambrian Research·DateApr 16, 2021
Researchers at Aalto University developed a new device for spintronics, allowing control and filtering of spin waves in devices as small as hundreds of nanometres. The device uses exotic magnetic materials to trap and cancel out unwanted frequencies, enabling faster processing and wireless transmission.
SourceAalto University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 16, 2021
Researchers at POSTECH developed an ultra-compact wearable gas sensor that detects toxic gases and displays a holographic alarm. The sensor uses metasurface technology to provide immediate visual notification without relying on external mechanical or electronic devices.
SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 16, 2021
Research finds mRNA COVID-19 vaccine may have reduced efficacy in individuals with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma. Patients with CLL who are treatment-naive or in remission tend to respond better to the vaccine.
SourceAmerican Society of Hematology·JournalBlood·DateApr 16, 2021
Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University developed an antibody-drug conjugate that selectively targets human monocyte progenitors to combat chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). This strategy effectively blocks malignant cell proliferation with minimal collateral damage to other cell lineages.
SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateApr 16, 2021
A new study found no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in COVID-19 patients' brains, despite significant pathological changes and neurological effects. Inflammation triggered by the virus may cause damage to the brain's blood vessels and lead to 'brain fog' in mild cases.
SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalBrain·DateApr 16, 2021
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys have identified a set of human genes that help control SARS-CoV-2 infection, including interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) that inhibit viral replication. The study provides new insights into the biology of the virus and suggests possible therapeutic options.
SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalMolecular Cell·DateApr 16, 2021
A new guide for communicating plant science aims to bridge the gap between scientists and non-scientists, promoting diversity and inclusion. The document, developed by 30 scientists over two years, provides strategies to effectively communicate plant research to various audiences, including educators and policymakers.
SourceIowa State University·JournalPlant Direct·DateApr 16, 2021
A University of Colorado Boulder study reveals that tau aggregates interfere with RNA splicing, leading to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. The findings provide new insights into the mechanism of action of tau tangles, shedding light on potential therapeutic targets.
SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNeuron·DateApr 16, 2021
Researchers have developed a high-performance thermoelectric compound by intertwining crystalline and amorphous sublattices into a unique crystal-amorphic duality. The new material exhibits excellent thermoelectric performance, paving the way for better electric power in the future.
A new approach using reimagined telescopes in both hemispheres could help study dark matter and gravitational waves. The BICEP/Keck array is exploring the possibility of increasing scan length to capture larger areas, yielding promising early results.
Researchers at Chinese Academy of Sciences discover abnormal enhancement of α-particle clustering in uranium isotopes, revealing strong proton-neutron interaction influence on α-decay properties. The study reveals systematics trends and anomalies in α-decay reduced widths for polonium-plutonium nuclei near shell closure.
SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 16, 2021
A new study by Yale researchers found that girls with autism tend to develop the condition in a different region of the brain than boys, with a larger number of genetic mutations. The findings suggest that girls may have a natural protective effect against developing autism.
Researchers used broadband electron spin resonance spectroscopy to study the properties of spins in a triangular lattice compound. They found that magnetic moments do not arrange themselves in an up-down pattern, contradicting the existence of quantum spin liquids.
SourceUniversitaet Stuttgart·JournalScience·DateApr 16, 2021
A research group from Tohoku University has developed an AI model that can accurately identify flooded buildings using news media photos within 24 hours of a disaster. The model achieved an 80% estimation accuracy, showcasing the potential for rapid damage mapping and accelerated disaster response.
SourceTohoku University·JournalRemote Sensing·DateApr 16, 2021
A recent study published in Social Influence found that when people are explicitly told they are free to accept or reject propagandistic claims, their likelihood of choosing a moderate view increases. This approach, based on self-determination theory and psychological reactance theory, aims to disrupt the radicalization process among v...
SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·JournalSocial Influence·DateApr 16, 2021
Scientists have developed a novel CRISPR-based tool called CRISPRoff, which allows for the silencing of almost any gene in human cells without making DNA edits. This technology has significant therapeutic potential, particularly for rare genetic disorders that are caused by a single damaged copy of a gene.
SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalCell·DateApr 16, 2021
Large-scale simulations reveal the dominant G form variant of SARS-CoV-2 is more infectious due to its ability to readily bind to its target host receptor. The variant's symmetry in interactions with receptors also makes it more vulnerable to antibody neutralization.
SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 16, 2021
A new study reveals that ocean oxygen depletion will continue for centuries if all CO2 emissions were stopped immediately, more than quadrupling the current loss. The long-term decrease in oxygen primarily affects deeper layers, leading to major shifts in marine ecosystems and potentially changing habitats.
SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 16, 2021
Experts warn of potential global catastrophes such as engineered pandemics and nuclear annihilation, while also identifying areas for improvement. Scientists like Martin Rees argue that promoting wise technology deployment can minimize risks and ensure a sustainable future.
New research from the University of Birmingham found that older adults are more likely to work harder for others, even without financial reward. This 'prosocial behaviour' is crucial for social cohesion and contradicts the stereotype that older adults become less altruistic as they age.
SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 16, 2021
Researchers will conduct scientific research cruises, sampling fixed stations to understand how the Chesapeake Bay plume changes over time and its impact on fisheries and nutrient cycling. The project aims to develop a hydrodynamic model of the plume and gather empirical data to inform ecosystem-based management applications.
SourceUniversity of Maryland Center for Environmental Science·DateApr 16, 2021
Researchers at MUSC developed RINS, a digital platform that integrates clinical study data from disparate systems, providing metrics on translational science efficiency and effectiveness. This allows for informed decisions on improving translational research practices.
SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association·DateApr 16, 2021
The global street drug supply has changed dramatically, with heroin and cocaine now cut with up to 17 pharmaceutically active and potentially toxic adulterants. This trend poses significant risks to public health and safety, particularly for high-risk groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Psychopharmacology·DateApr 16, 2021
Research found that shift workers with a deviated body clock had higher cardiovascular risk, even after adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. The study's findings suggest that staff with atypical work schedules may need closer monitoring for heart health.
Research at University of Jyvaskyla reveals that quality and quantity of enrichments influence well-being of aquaculture fishes. The study found that stone enrichments improve survival rates, while a higher number of stones also has a positive effect.
SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalAntibiotics·DateApr 16, 2021
Researchers investigated the effects of excise taxes, public usage restrictions, and anti-smoking ads on cigarette consumption. Strong brands like Marlboro resist tax hikes but lose share with smoke-free policies.
SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateApr 16, 2021
A study examining nuclear waste reporting in Finland's Helsingin Sanomat and France's Le Monde found distinct cultural, political, and media traditions influencing their approaches. Helsingin Sanomat tends to reproduce government framings, while Le Monde prioritizes independent criticism.
A new study reveals that protein Rab2 is essential for effective nerve cell signaling in the central nervous system. The researchers found that when Rab2 is absent or dysfunctional, signal molecules accumulate in axons like a traffic jam.
SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 16, 2021
The study assessed filtration efficiency of common masks when worn singly, doubled, or combined. It found that double masking can be an effective way to reduce airborne transmission of COVID-19.
SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 16, 2021
Researchers use genetic analysis to determine tarantulas' ancient ancestry, tracing them to the Americas around 120 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. They found that these spiders were not limited to sedentary burrows, but also exploited ecological niches and displayed surprising dispersal capabilities.
SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalPeerJ·DateApr 16, 2021
A mouse study found that vitamin D deficiency impairs skeletal muscle mitochondrial function, leading to reduced energy production and potentially poor muscle strength. The study suggests that preventing vitamin D deficiency in older adults could help maintain better muscle function and reduce age-related muscle deterioration.
SourceSociety for Endocrinology·JournalJournal of Endocrinology·DateApr 16, 2021
Researchers discover USP7 inhibitors cause premature activation of CDK1 protein, leading to uncontrolled cell division and cell death. This finding opens the door for potential therapeutic combinations that could increase the efficacy of these drugs in cancer patients.
SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateApr 16, 2021
A survey of star formation in the Orion Nebula Cluster found similar mass distributions for newborn stars and dense gas cores, suggesting that gas accretion rate determines final star mass. The results contradict the core-collapse model, supporting the competitive accretion model instead.
SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·DateApr 16, 2021
A recent study published in Physics of Fluids reveals that the triangular shape of coronavirus spikes plays a crucial role in its ability to spread. The research, conducted by scientists at OIST and Queen's University, found that the spikes' lower rotational diffusivity enables the virus to better attach itself to objects and people.
SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateApr 16, 2021
A longitudinal study of over 3,000 young Marines found that past COVID-19 infection does not completely protect against reinfection. Young people with previous infection can still catch the virus and transmit it to others.
SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateApr 16, 2021
Researchers at Linköping University found that network-based recruitment can reduce segregation levels by encouraging individuals to form ties with those of different genders. This 'Trojan-horse mechanism' suggests that networks can counteract the segregating impact of mobility events, leading to desegregating moves.
Researchers developed a broadly protective COVID-19 vaccine using an innovative platform that targets a highly conserved genomic region of coronaviruses. The vaccine offers advantages in terms of ease of storage, transportation, and production, making it ideal for pandemic response.
SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 16, 2021
Researchers found that competition for resources led to the development of vastly different sizes between egg cells and sperm cells. The study used mathematical modeling to demonstrate how natural selection favored larger gametes due to increased nutritional value, while smaller gametes required fewer resources.
SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Theoretical Biology·DateApr 16, 2021
A new telescope may be able to spot biosignatures on other planets in just three days, with six gas dwarf planets potentially harboring life. Researchers have calculated that the James Webb Space Telescope could detect ammonia around these planets after a few orbits.
A new study published in Scientific Reports reveals that underweight and overweight women are significantly more likely to experience recurrent miscarriages due to their abnormal Body Mass Index. The research highlights the importance of weight management in reducing the risk of repeated pregnancy losses.
SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 16, 2021