A novel PET radiopharmaceutical targeting vascular adhesion protein 1 (VAP-1) showed promising results in a first-in-humans study. The compound was well-tolerated and safe, with thousands of times lower doses than regular drugs.
SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateApr 16, 2021
A team of scientists from CNRS has proven that Leonardo da Vinci did not sculpt the Flora wax bust, which was conserved at the Bode Museum in Berlin. The radiocarbon dating revealed that the sculpture was made in the 19th century, nearly 300 years after da Vinci's death.
A large cohort study by Aarhus University found a clear association between silica exposure and increased risk of autoimmune rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis. Exposure to low levels of silica dust also posed a significant health risk.
SourceAarhus University·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·DateApr 16, 2021
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a new treatment for Pompe disease, a genetic condition that affects 1 in 40,000 people in the US. The treatment has been shown to be safer and more effective than current therapy, improving respiratory muscle function, endurance, and overall quality of life.
Research suggests that autism develops differently in girls and boys, with distinct genetic profiles and brain mechanisms at play. Girls with ASD exhibit unique responses to social cues and have different genetic contributors to the condition.
SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalBrain·DateApr 16, 2021
A recent study published in Gastroenterology reveals that overexpression of the ZIP4 protein in patients with pancreatic cancer enables tumor cells to transform into a shape-shifting form, evading detection and metastasizing to other organs. Understanding this process is crucial for developing targeted therapies to stop metastasis.
SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateApr 16, 2021
Research shows virtual humans can effectively support leadership skill practice, with statistically significant improvements seen in mixed reality settings. The study suggests that VR and MR technologies offer a wide range of applications for training, including addressing drawbacks to traditional methods.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Virtual Reality·DateApr 16, 2021
Scientists have developed a new technology for building silicon nitride integrated photonic circuits with record low optical losses, significantly reducing power budgets for chip-scale optical frequency combs. The technology enables high-quality-factor microresonators and meter-long waveguides on small chips.
SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 16, 2021
The Electron Ion Collider will take 3D images of electrons colliding with polarized protons and ions, shedding light on fundamental questions in nuclear physics. The collider's experimental equipment may also detect the elusive chiral magnetic effect, a crucial prediction for understanding the universe's matter-antimatter imbalance.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine shows that wearing two face coverings can significantly improve filtration efficiency, especially when properly fitted. Researchers found that cloth masks placed over surgical masks or vice versa can improve fit and effectiveness, but loosely fitting masks do not provide the same benefit.
SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 16, 2021
The study reveals the involvement of SARAF and Orai1 proteins in VEGF-mediated activation of endothelial cells, affecting blood vessel development. This discovery could lead to therapeutic strategies controlling angiogenesis in pathological conditions.
SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalFrontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·DateApr 16, 2021
A revised handgrip cutoff value of 32 kg for men and 21 kg for women can accurately identify mobility impairment, increasing the likelihood of early diagnosis by 88% for men and 89% for women. This revised metric promotes preventive treatment to avoid muscle weakness and mobility loss.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalArchives of Gerontology and Geriatrics·DateApr 16, 2021
Scientists have discovered that current methods for calculating stress received by underground pipelines during an earthquake are inaccurate, leading to a significant risk assessment. The new theory of seismic wave propagation addresses this issue, highlighting the need for modernization and replacement of existing pipelines.
SourcePeter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University·JournalApplied Sciences·DateApr 16, 2021
A comprehensive statistical analysis of 65 countries found that household income is a more significant predictor of food insecurity than agricultural land resources or production. Increasing citizens' capacity for consumption through measures like job creation can improve food security.
SourceThayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth·JournalFood Security·DateApr 16, 2021
Researchers call for climate projections to be taken into account in conservation planning to protect areas at risk of biodiversity loss and climate impacts. Climate change is expected to impact 58% of montane forests in the Peruvian Andes, highlighting the need for adaptive management frameworks.
SourceThe Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture·JournalForests·DateApr 16, 2021
A majority of 2,400 participants in a Penn State study supported requiring students and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The survey found that Democrats were consistently more supportive of vaccine mandates than moderates or Republicans.
A new study reveals that the long noncoding RNA ADEPTR is essential for structural plasticity in neurons, forming and amassing at the synapse upon stimulation. Silencing ADEPTR prevents new synapses from forming during stimulation, highlighting its crucial role in neural adaptation.
SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 16, 2021
The company's Abiprot technology identifies antibody binding sites on native-state, disease-relevant proteins at high resolution. The platform has the potential to bring game-changing benefits to large populations of patients suffering from uncurable diseases.
SourceOblique Therapeutics·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 16, 2021
A new study from the NIH found that MK-4482 treatment significantly decreased virus levels and lung damage in hamsters infected with SARS-CoV-2. The treatment was effective when administered before or after infection, suggesting potential for mitigation of high-risk exposures.
SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 16, 2021
Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University develop novel molecules that mimic CD4 proteins, preventing HIV particles from entering immune cells. These compounds show promise in reducing side effects while increasing effectiveness in stopping viral proliferation.
SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry·DateApr 15, 2021
The project aims to determine the mechanism of Neisseria pathogenesis to find innovative treatments. The researchers will use high-throughput sequencing, bioinformatics, and infection models to study the genetic modifications and their roles in adaptation.
SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·DateApr 15, 2021
A team of scientists found that ENSO-related climate variability is expected to increase under global warming due to the amplification of tropical lower tropospheric humidity. This intensification in ENSO-driven atmospheric variability suggests a higher risk of extreme weather events.
SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Geoscience·DateApr 15, 2021
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine suggests that individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 may only need one vaccine dose to produce a sufficient antibody response. In contrast, those who have not had COVID-19 require two doses to achieve strong levels of immunity.
SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience Immunology·DateApr 15, 2021
Researchers from QuTech in the Netherlands have established the first multi-node quantum network, connecting three quantum processors and achieving proof-of-principle demonstration of key quantum network protocols. The breakthrough enables the creation of a scalable quantum network that can distribute quantum information over large dis...
SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalScience·DateApr 15, 2021
Researchers found that patients with high levels of PDL-1 and a KRAS gene mutation lived longer when treated with immunotherapy alone compared to those without the mutation. Patients without the mutation had better survival with combination therapy, suggesting preferred treatment approaches for this patient group.
SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateApr 15, 2021
Purdue University engineers develop ultra-white paint that reflects up to 98.1% of sunlight, keeping surfaces cooler than surroundings. The paint, made with barium sulfate particles of different sizes, can reduce the need for air conditioning by 10 kilowatts.
SourcePurdue University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 15, 2021
Scientists at BIH have found a new metabolite, S-2-hydroxyglutarate, that regulates endothelial cell quiescence and prevents excessive vessel growth. This discovery brings the researchers closer to developing targeted therapies for vascular diseases.
SourceBIH at Charité·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateApr 15, 2021
Researchers have created a theoretical model that accurately predicts the neural activity of a mouse brain without requiring fine-tuning. The model uses critical phenomena to explain phase transitions in physical systems and may have applications for studying complex dynamical systems.
SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 15, 2021
The University of Guam's Drone Corps aims to develop a team of FAA-certified drone pilots, providing opportunities for researchers to utilize drones in their fields. Students will practice flying unmanned aerial vehicles, capturing footage and data for local agencies.
Researchers used deep-time approach to compare communities defined by species vs ecological roles, finding that ecosystems are more resistant to change than species compositions. They also found that preserving ecosystem functioning can help stabilize ecosystems in the face of disturbances.
SourceMuseum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institut für Evolutions-und Biodiversitätsforschung·JournalScience·DateApr 15, 2021
Research identifies SARS-CoV-2 variants emerging from immunocompromised hosts, leading to increased frequency of mutations. The study highlights the importance of monitoring genetic changes in SARS-CoV-2 to design effective vaccines and diagnostics.
SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalJournal of General Virology·DateApr 15, 2021
Researchers developed a new model using the SEIR framework to project daily COVID-19 cases, achieving accuracy and reliability. The model forecasts future infections under three scenarios, with limitations due to data accuracy and assumptions about transmission rates.
A recent study found that Flint adults suffered a range of adverse physical and mental health symptoms, including skin rashes, hair loss, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, linked to the water crisis. Black residents were particularly affected, with higher rates of reported symptoms.
SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Urban Health·DateApr 15, 2021
Researchers used NASA's NICER telescope on the International Space Station to measure the size of PSR J0740+6620, the most massive known neutron star. The team's findings provide insights into the squeezability of matter in neutron star cores, shedding light on what happens when neutrons break down into smaller particles.
Researchers used HPC resources to run lattice QCD calculations, finding a different value for the Standard Model prediction of muon behavior. The results are consistent with an experimental finding, suggesting that further research is needed to verify the results.
SourceGauss Centre for Supercomputing·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2021
A case report warns of a potential link between medical cannabis and early puberty in children with severe childhood epilepsy. The 2-year-old boy's testosterone levels were abnormally high after using cannabis oil, raising concerns about the hormonal consequences of cannabis use.
Genetic ancestry data provides specific insights into disease risk and management, allowing for targeted interventions. The study found that 25% of BioMe participants had links to populations predisposed to certain genetic diseases.
SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalCell·DateApr 15, 2021
WeHI researchers have developed a new single-cell technique, SIS-seq, to understand the programming behind stem cells making particular cell types. The research uncovered 30 new genes that program stem cells to make dendritic cells that kick-start the immune response.
SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalImmunity·DateApr 15, 2021
A study found that radiology residency program directors will likely rely on USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge scores as an objective metric for applicant screening. Program directors are unsure whether to require Step 2 CK scores at application or before interviewing applicants.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz heated meteorite samples in a high-temperature furnace and analyzed the gases released. The study suggests that the initial atmospheres of terrestrial planets may differ significantly from current theoretical models.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalNature Astronomy·DateApr 15, 2021
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School discovered a novel gene, JAG2, associated with a specific form of muscular dystrophy. The study found a distinct pattern of abnormalities on muscle MRI that may aid in identifying patients with this condition.
SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateApr 15, 2021
Researchers at Linköping University and Medical University of Graz developed an ion pump that can deliver chemotherapy agents like gemcitabine directly into the brain with high precision. This method may provide a more effective treatment for glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor.
SourceLinköping University·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·DateApr 15, 2021
Researchers found that about 25% of study participants developed vision loss from glaucoma, a lower rate than expected. The conventional thinking was that most patients with elevated eye pressure should receive treatment due to high costs and potential side effects.
SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateApr 15, 2021
A recent study found that much of considered 'intact habitat' is missing species due to human impact. However, restoring certain species through reintroduction could potentially increase ecological integrity to up to 20% of the planet's land surface.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Forests and Global Change·DateApr 15, 2021
The pandemic led to a sharp drop in new opioid prescriptions and a decline in buprenorphine treatment for opioid dependency among new patients. This reduced access to treatment may have increased overdose deaths.
SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 15, 2021
A Kaiser Permanente study found that child vaccination rates declined significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with measles vaccination coverage remaining substantially reduced in many age groups. The decline was more severe and persistent in older children, highlighting concerns about vaccine-preventable diseases.
Researchers at Kumamoto University discovered that metformin prolongs survival of mice with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease by reducing kidney function and inflammation. The study suggests that a combination of metformin and losartan may be beneficial for patients with ND-CKD.
SourceKumamoto University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 15, 2021
Scientists have discovered how a unique molecular switch in the brain causes feelings of fullness and may help develop improved anti-obesity drugs. The melanocortin receptor 4 is activated by setmelanotide, which binds to its binding pocket and enhances binding with calcium ions.
SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalScience·DateApr 15, 2021
A Mayo Clinic study found that pregnancy significantly increases the risk of a first-time symptomatic kidney stone. The risk peaks close to delivery and improves by one year after delivery.
SourceMayo Clinic·JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases·DateApr 15, 2021
A study published in EBiomedicine found that epigenetic variations predict COVID-19 severity, particularly in genes related to inflammation and overall health. The 13% of the global population with this signature is considered the group at maximum risk requiring special care.
SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalEBioMedicine·DateApr 15, 2021
A Tohoku University research team successfully created the first 3D-printed proton exchange membrane, a critical component of batteries and fuel cells. The achievement enables custom solid-state energy devices with adaptable shapes and potential applications in smart wearable devices and medical implants.
SourceTohoku University·JournalACS Applied Energy Materials·DateApr 15, 2021
A study published in JAMA Network Open explores the experiences of individuals with young-onset dementia and their partners, highlighting the importance of open communication and mutual problem-solving. The research team developed a couples-based framework to describe coping patterns, which can inform new interventions and increase qua...
SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 15, 2021
Researchers have identified specific super-enhancers that stimulate the activity of critical cancer genes in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The study reveals that deleting certain super-enhancers can reduce tumour cell growth and improves survival chances. Dr Rebecca Chin and Dr Wang Xin's findings may lead to the development of...
SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 15, 2021
Researchers at Salk Institute create chimeric organisms with human cells, offering insights into early human development, disease progression, and aging. The study could lead to innovative platforms for drug evaluation and address the organ shortage.
Researchers at UCI used phytoplankton genome analysis to create a high-resolution map of nutrient stress in the world's oceans. The study found regions of elevated phosphorus stress, widespread adaptation to nitrogen stress, and previously unknown areas of iron stress.
SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalScience·DateApr 15, 2021
Researchers at the University of Oregon have developed a method to manipulate sound waves in synthetic composite structures known as metamaterials. The discovery uses theoretical and computational analysis of mechanical vibrations of thin elastic plates to dynamically stop and reverse sound pulses.
SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateApr 15, 2021
A new study published in SLEEP found that later school start times significantly benefit middle and high school students' sleep schedules. Researchers discovered that the greatest improvements occurred for high school students, who obtained an extra 3.8 hours of sleep per week after a later start time was implemented.
SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalSLEEP·DateApr 15, 2021
Researchers at Radboud University Medical Center have developed a new way to detect hidden genetic defects using the Expansion Hunter method. This technique can identify repeat expansions, a type of mutation that causes fragile X syndrome and Huntington's disease, in patients with movement disorders.
SourceRadboud University Medical Center·JournalGenetics in Medicine·DateApr 15, 2021
A new study confirms the island rule, showing that insular gigantism and dwarfism are generalized patterns across vertebrates. The effects are more pronounced in smaller, remote islands for mammals and reptiles.
SourceRadboud University Nijmegen·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateApr 15, 2021
Smartphone-based imaging systems can guide diagnosis and treatment with portable, user-friendly biomedical imaging. Emerging technologies like multispectral and quantitative fluorescence imaging offer promising diagnostic applications.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateApr 15, 2021