A systematic review of over 500,000 under 18s found that flavoured vapes are an important aspect of vaping enjoyed by young people, potentially encouraging them to switch from tobacco smoking to less harm vaping. However, the study warns that more needs to be done to prevent young non-smokers from being attracted to vaping.
Scientists harness higher-order protein catenation to create complexed proteins with potential as artificial antibodies. The new method enables the synthesis of protein [n]catenanes, which show improved binding affinity and prolonged serum half-life.
A recent study published in Circulation found that patients receiving a combination of antiplatelet drugs for many months (up to 2.5 years) after stent procedures may not receive the full benefit of treatment. The researchers compared characteristics of 8,864 patients from an older trial to 568,540 contemporary patients and determined ...
A team of researchers has developed a simple and efficient method of quantum encryption using single photons, which can detect any attempt to hack the message. The breakthrough brings us closer to securing our data against quantum computers' potential attacks.
A two-year follow-up of participants found that those who had both their mitral valve and tricuspid valve repaired at the same time experienced better outcomes, including less progression to moderate or severe leakage. This study provides high-level evidence for surgeons on how to perform tricuspid valve repair in these patients.
A new study warns that searching for signs of life on Mars could be fooled by fossil-like specimens created by non-biological processes. Researchers say it's crucial to distinguish these from evidence of ancient life on the Red Planet to aid future missions.
Scientists at the University of Southampton have created nanoparticles that can target and kill deadly bacteria hiding in human cells. The breakthrough could lead to a new treatment method using injectable or inhalation-based antibiotic-laden capsules, potentially saving thousands of lives annually.
A new review in the Journal of Dairy Science explores the relationship between serotonin and calcium metabolism in dairy cows, highlighting its importance in maintaining calcium balance. Research shows that mammary serotonin drives hormone production that modulates mammary calcium transport.
Researchers have developed a 3D cell culturing platform that allows study of lung fibroblasts and their microenvironment, enabling measurement of cell behaviors and microenvironment changes involved in IPF disease progression. The system's versatility enables personalized medicine and potential applications in studying other diseases.
Researchers introduce silica into catalyst design to prevent phosphoric acid loss and improve stability, leading to enhanced oxygen reduction reaction efficiency. This results in improved power density at high temperatures.
Researchers at TU Wien discovered that a rhodium catalyst can be highly chemically active in some regions while completely inactive in others. The team found that the arrangement of atoms on the surface differs from grain to grain, leading to varying catalytic properties.
A recent study suggests that the ancient Maya's agricultural strategies may have been more effective than previously believed. The research, which analyzed airborne lidar data, found that Maya settlements in Mexico and Guatemala were able to maintain a stable food supply despite environmental challenges.
The study, led by Universidad Complutense de Madrid, estimates that record temperatures are eight times higher than expected without global warming. At least one in four new record rainfalls is attributed to climate change.
A new study found that unique names increased in Japan between 2004 and 2018, with a greater rate of change for girls than boys. This suggests that parents increasingly valued their daughters' uniqueness and independence, highlighting sex differences in sociocultural changes.
Researchers from HSE School of Linguistics and Centre for Language and Brain conducted an experiment to understand how language speakers perceive polysemous words. The proximity of figurative senses to the literal sense affects perception as semantically different.
Researchers have identified thousands of novel brain-expressed gene isoforms, revealing a complex web of protein production in the brain. The study suggests that genes expressed in the brain may produce far more proteins than previously thought, with potential implications for diseases such as Alzheimer's and schizophrenia.
A study found that vaccination rates among Indian children improved significantly between 1992 and 2016, with a 70% drop in child mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases. However, zero-dose children remained concentrated among disadvantaged groups, including low-income households and mothers with limited education.
Scientists are using peptide nucleic acids to study SARS-CoV-2 RNA pseudoknots, a crucial mechanism for viral replication and translation. Understanding this process could lead to new methods to disrupt it, potentially leading to more effective treatments.
A study conducted at the University of São Paulo analyzed how dogs living inside the home exchange looks with their owners to obtain food or other desired objects. The researchers found that 95.7% of those living inside the home used gaze alternation at least once, while those living outside communicated less intensely.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new method for rapidly prototyping complex geometries mirroring symmetries present in problems of interest. This technique uses a mixture of water and propylene glycol, along with a slippery surface, to create droplet lattices that can be manipulated and observed over time.
Microtubule structures play a crucial role in regulating insulin release from pancreatic beta cells, with dynamic turnover leading to increased insulin secretion. The findings have important implications for understanding diabetes and could lead to new treatments.
A researcher at MUSC's Hollings Cancer Center is developing 'living drugs' by precision-engineering CAR Tregs to treat autoimmune diseases. The CAR Tregs can delay or reduce damaging inflammation, offering a potential solution for conditions like Type 1 diabetes.
A study involving Drosophila found that a constant and precisely regulated energy supply is essential for nerve development, particularly during the degradation of nerve connections. Malnutrition was shown to intensify defects in this process.
Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a new family of iron-based sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells, promising a low-cost supplement to traditional photovoltaic systems. The new materials achieve overall efficiency of 1 percent, but represent a milestone in further research and development.
A URI researcher has published a series of articles in the journal Biological Invasions to address concerns about diversity, equity and inclusion. The study found that the editorial board was overwhelmingly American and white, with most papers published by Americans and Europeans.
A new study by the University of Kent's School of Economics found that religious competition substantially increases the probability of conflict-related violence in Colombia. The presence of a new religion group makes potential contributors or soldiers more scared, leading to violent action from armed groups.
Climate scientists have identified abrupt transitions in ice core records using a new statistical method. The method analyzes the ratio of two oxygen isotopes to determine whether changes are due to noise or significant climactic shifts.
Peng Li, an assistant professor at West Virginia University, has received the 2021 Young Investigator Award from Eli Lilly for his groundbreaking research on acoustic waves and microfluidic devices. His innovation, VSSI technology, offers improved performance, smaller size, and lower cost compared to commercial products.
Researchers developed a novel approach to study molecular fluctuations in one-dimensional shock waves, characterizing frequencies two orders of magnitude lower than those in boundary layer flow. The model correctly predicts fluctuations in high-speed vehicle shocks traveling at Mach 2-10.
A team at Sandia National Laboratories tested specially designed stainless-steel containers for fire safety and found they did not split open even when heated to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. The containers developed small pinholes instead, allowing superheated gas to escape without pressurizing the container.
Researchers have uncovered the first fossil evidence of a rare botanical condition known as precocious germination, where seeds sprout before leaving the fruit. A 40-million-year-old pine cone encased in Baltic amber shows embryonic stems emerging from the seeds, providing insight into plant biology and ecology.
Researchers developed AI models to predict protein interactions, identifying over 100 probable complexes and 700 previously uncharacterized ones. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for human disease.
A study found that lung cancer screening rates increased significantly among high-risk males who gained access to Medicare, with a 16% jump in screenings reported. The rise is attributed to the reduced out-of-pocket costs and greater access to care for these individuals, many of whom were previously uninsured.
A new coating developed by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago uses thermoresponsive properties to create a hygroscopic slippery layer that prevents harmful substances from coming into contact with surfaces. This technology delays ice and frost formation, outperforming commercial products by up to ten times.
Researchers aim to reverse tissue damage and scar buildup in lungs affected by Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) using a protein domain. The team hopes to identify therapeutic agents that can be used to treat the disease, which affects 100,000 Americans annually.
A study by Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf analyzed viral sequences from Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal, finding distinct patterns of SARS-CoV-2 variants. The researchers believe genetic drift mechanisms, such as the founder effect, may contribute to these variations.
A major new study found that woodland and hedgerow creation can support higher numbers of pollinators, including bees, hoverflies, and butterflies. The survey, which covered hundreds of sites across Wales, revealed the importance of carefully managed habitats in land management incentive schemes.
A new study by MIT researchers finds that video clips have a modestly larger impact on political persuasion than the written word, but only by one-third. Participants were more likely to believe events occurred when shown in a video, but this advantage was limited to changing attitudes and behavior.
Researchers use game theory and economics to steer evolution in a better direction, identifying conditions for improved outcomes through policy changes and coordination. The study provides a mathematical formula to determine when evolution managers will have sufficient incentive to steward biological resources.
George Mason University researchers will provide a professional development program to enhance Northern Virginia teachers' content-integrated instruction for culturally and linguistically diverse students. The ACE-STEM project aims to improve STEM literacy development and family literacy programs for English learners.
Researchers discover that finger snaps produce the highest rotational accelerations observed in humans, even faster than professional baseball pitchers. The study explores the role of friction and finds a 'Goldilocks zone' necessary for optimal energy storage.
The 74th APS Division of Fluid Dynamics Annual Meeting featured presentations on COVID-proofing daily life, kimchi physics, and extreme heat waves. Researchers also discussed advancements in fire-fighting trees and the science behind jellyfish engineers.
A new study by Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center investigators found that a COVID-19 booster shot helps most cancer patients with no immune response after two-dose vaccination, significantly increasing antibody levels. The study also shows that all cancer patients benefit from vaccination, particularly those with blood cancer.
The new project aims to bridge the gap between complex rare category analysis and state-of-the-art techniques. It will focus on developing explainable methods for detecting defective silicon wafers and severe complications among diabetes patients.
Researchers from York University found that COVID-19 lockdowns in India had less impact on air pollution than initially thought. The study revealed that local sources of emissions, such as vehicles and fuels, had less influence on air pollutant levels than regional emissions sources.
The study found that grandmothers activate brain areas associated with emotional empathy when viewing photos of their grandchildren, indicating a strong emotional connection. In contrast, adult children elicit a stronger cognitive empathy response in grandmothers.
A new study has identified the CCR2 gene as a key player in the progression of type 1 diabetes. The research found that lower blood levels of CCL-2, a ligand for CCR2, were associated with increased immune cell recruitment to the pancreas, leading to islet cell destruction.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University conducted a cross-adoption experiment with fruit bat pups to determine whether boldness is genetic or learned. The findings indicate that the pups behave like their adoptive mothers, not biological mothers, suggesting that boldness is an acquired trait passed on through mother's milk.
A recent study found that most vocal learners, such as dolphins and whales, sound higher than expected based on their body size, not lower. This challenges the idea that faking body size is linked to vocal learning and suggests a different evolutionary scenario for vocal communication in mammals.
A new vaccine combines the part of the 'spike' protein with a combination adjuvant, inducing full protection in aged mice and potentially equivalent to current mRNA vaccines. The formulation is relatively easy to manufacture and may not require extreme cold storage, enabling its use in more settings.
A nationwide study found that hospitalized COVID-19 patients taking immunosuppressive medications did not have a significantly increased risk of dying from COVID-19 or being put on a ventilator compared to non-immunosuppressed patients. However, patients taking rituximab were at a substantially increased risk of death.
The discovery of fossilized leaves from Quercus section Heterobalanus in Lawula Formation pushes the origin of this species back by nearly 20 million years. The findings suggest that the group was already adapted to cool and dry conditions in some regions as early as the late Eocene.
Researchers found that candesartan reduces accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins and normalizes blood flow in mice with hereditary cerebral small vessel disease. The study suggests a potential new treatment avenue for age-related cerebral arteriopathy.
Researchers developed metrics to quantify information in animal responses to reward feedback, showing that animals exhibit undermatching behavior. The new metrics provide a way to predict this deviation from the matching law, offering insights into adaptive behavior and decision-making.
A UCalgary study found that the steroid dexamethasone alters immune cell function in a sex-dependent manner, benefiting male patients but providing little to no benefit for females. The researchers' findings suggest that current treatments may only be effective for half the population.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that vaccination results in a more robust immune response than natural infection. Even with waning antibodies, vaccinated individuals still have protective immunity against severe disease and hospitalization.
Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis have created a biocompatible adhesive hydrogel that can stick to various surfaces underwater, with properties similar to natural mussel foot protein and spider silk. This breakthrough has potential applications in tissue repair, particularly for tendon-bone repair.
The study of 2.2 million primary care visits found similar rates of follow-up care for all three visit types, including emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Virtual visits were shown to be a convenient and safe way to address some primary care needs without generating many follow-up office visits.
Researchers produce large quantities of powerful cancer-fighting iNKT cells using stem cell engineering and organoid technology, offering a potential solution for mass-producing an off-the-shelf immune cell therapy. The therapy, which uses hematopoietic stem cell-engineered iNKT cells, has been shown to be effective in killing multiple...
Researchers at Penn State created a nanocomputing agent that controls protein function involved in cell movement and cancer metastasis. The logic gate, embedded in the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) protein, demonstrates ability to control conditional operations, introducing possibilities for precision therapeutics.