A recent airborne study reveals extreme amounts of hydroxyl and hydroperoxyl radicals generated by lightning, suggesting a substantial proportion of global atmospheric oxidation. The results could indicate that lightning-generated oxidants are responsible for between 2-16% of the Earth's atmosphere oxidizing capacity.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered a mechanism allowing meningitis-causing bacteria to evade the immune system by sensing temperature changes. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae produce safeguards in response to rising temperatures, boosting their defenses against immune attacks.
Researchers in Spain found rock humidity in dehesas can sustain vegetation during droughts by providing an alternative source of water. Soil moisture levels varied between slopes, with the north-facing slope having higher biomass and NDVI values, indicating improved plant growth due to increased water storage capacity.
A new analysis by researchers from around the world offers a deeper understanding of species interactions and their impact on ecosystem diversity. The study found that closely-related tree species interact weakly with each other, while distantly-related pairs can interact with surprising strength.
Horses and donkeys dig wells in dryland ecosystems, increasing water availability for a variety of plant and animal species. This overlooked form of ecosystem engineering shows that equids can buffer water availability in dryland environments, providing a service crucial to desert resilience.
Researchers found that intermittent fasting lowers blood pressure by altering the gut microbiota composition. The study suggests that gut dysbiosis contributes to hypertension by changing bile acid signaling.
A new strain of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG has been successfully developed to thrive in milk, offering potential benefits for infant gut health. The modified probiotic can utilize lactose and casein, producing lactic acid that inhibits gram-negative pathogenic bacteria.
The ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2021) is being held virtually from May 8-13, with over 4,500 participants registered. The conference will feature keynote speakers, including Chieko Asakawa and Ruha Benjamin, as well as numerous workshops and accepted papers.
Researchers at UNIGE discovered a new mechanism for regulating RNA maturation dependent on diet, finding that methylation of specific mRNA sequences leads to its degradation. This control mechanism ensures a fair balance of methylations and prevents aberrant reactions, which can cause diseases.
A study by Sansum Diabetes Research Institute and Rice University found wearable devices that continuously monitor blood sugar levels provide new insights into the progression of Type 2 diabetes among at-risk Hispanic/Latino adults. The results point to new directions for improved diabetes care, particularly in underserved populations.
Researchers have developed a QR code-based digitization workflow to streamline specimen collection, reduce errors, and make data more accessible. The workflow uses unique object identifiers, citizen science platforms, and QR codes to automate data entry and analysis, allowing for the creation of large-scale phylogenetic studies.
Researchers challenge the notion that organic compounds like amino acids were formed from isotopically enriched substrates in the early solar system. They found that formose-type reactions create differences in carbon isotope concentrations between small and large organic molecules.
A simple device improved care after kidney transplantation by reducing swelling, hospital stays, and surgical site infections. Patients experienced a 31% reduction in swelling and a 60% decrease in wound infection rates.
The GridScale technology stores electrical energy as heat in basalt crushed to tiny stones, offering a cost-effective solution for long-term electricity storage. The facility will support electricity supply for up to a week, addressing the challenge of storing intermittent wind and solar electricity.
A new study found a substantial decrease in minimally invasive surgery use for cervical cancer after the publication of a major study in 2018. The study assessed 2,437 patients and showed that surgeons changed their methods, but still saw room for improvement at non-academic medical centers.
Researchers have created a new tool to evaluate infant brain health by assessing chemical markers in the brain. The tool uses standard values for several metabolites to provide a more reliable way to evaluate metabolite concentrations, allowing for early detection and intervention for potential brain development issues.
A survey of over 32,000 caregivers in Chicago Public Schools found that nearly a quarter of children and adolescents experienced stress, anxiety, or anger after pandemic-related school closures. Caregivers reported significantly worse psychological well-being after school closures compared to before.
Researchers at the University of California - Santa Barbara have identified a major cause of limitations to efficiency in hybrid perovskite solar cells. A study found that missing hydrogen atoms in the organic molecules can cause massive efficiency losses due to unwanted energy dissipation, resulting in lower photovoltaic performance.
A pharmacist-led smartphone app has been shown to significantly improve medication safety and reduce hospitalizations in kidney transplant recipients. The study found that participants who used the app were 61% less likely to experience medication errors and 45% less likely to experience serious side effects.
Researchers present a framework for effective altruism, suggesting donors split contributions between emotionally appealing and impactful charities. They advocate for expert evaluations and tangible details about charity intervention strategies.
Researchers at Aalto University have discovered a new recycling method for lithium-ion batteries that replenishes spent lithium in electrodes without crushing or melting. This process saves valuable raw materials and likely energy compared to traditional methods, which extract metals from crushed batteries by melting or dissolving them.
Researchers analyzed 43 brain disorders using BrainMap database, finding striking overlap between disease-related co-alteration networks and functional networks involved in normal behaviors. The study suggests metabolic stress in high-traffic hubs as a key underlying cause of network-based degeneration.
A new study found that Amazonian depopulation and forest regrowth began centuries before European arrival, rejecting the hypothesis of widespread reforestation contributing to reduced atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Forest pollen records suggest land abandonment and regrowth started 300-600 years prior to European contact.
A high rate of vaccination is vital to reducing COVID-19 cases and controlling the pandemic, according to new research from the Mayo Clinic. If Minnesota had achieved a 75% vaccination rate by early April, case numbers and hospitalizations would plummet by July.
A new technology-based method, proposed by Israeli researchers, aims to streamline epidemiological research and coronavirus testing. By identifying individuals with a high probability of infection before symptoms appear, the method can reduce unnecessary tests, quarantine duration, morbidity, and mortality.
A study suggests that targeting plants' internal clocks, known as circadian clock genes, can lead to higher yields and more sustainable farming practices. By matching the plant's natural rhythms with optimal growing conditions, farmers can reduce resources required and apply treatments at precise times for improved efficiency.
Researchers have discovered an alternative way of organizing genes in coral symbiont dinoflagellates, with alternating unidirectional blocks and a 3D chromosome structure dependent on transcriptional activity. This unique genome organization challenges traditional understanding of eukaryotic genetics.
Researchers found that Eastern and Western house mice developed identical genetic changes to cope with cold temperatures, building bigger nests and growing heftier. This study demonstrates the predictability of evolution in mammals, with implications for understanding human evolution.
A large study suggests that symptom screening, mask mandates, and daily symptom screening can minimize the excess COVID-19 risk to adults living with children who attend school in-person. Researchers found a 38% increase in reported COVID-19-like symptoms among households with an in-person-schooled child.
The COALESCE project combines sensors, machine learning, and robotics to enable farmers to respond to crop stressors with lower cost and greater agility. The technology aims to localize problems early on, making data-driven decisions for optimal production.
Researchers observed the first-ever galaxy in a 'blow-away' state, which suggests that small galaxies were responsible for reionization. The study reveals that intense star-formation can cause galaxies to lose their hydrogen clouds, allowing high energy light to escape.
Corals use an ancient immune mechanism to select suitable microalgae as symbionts, tolerating them over time. The 'vomocytosis' process involves immune suppression that allows algae to establish a niche within the coral's cells, facilitating nutrient exchange.
Scientists at Uppsala University resurrected 3.3 billion-year-old bacterial proteins to study their properties and evolutionary history. The researchers found that these ancient proteins had broader specificities than modern counterparts and could function with various types of ribosomes.
The 101st AATS Annual Meeting focuses on Diversity without Exclusion in a Culture of Safety, with keynote speakers including Condoleezza Rice and William G. Kaelin, Jr. AATS members will discuss advances in cardiothoracic surgery and related specialties.
The study analyzed over 1,600 patients with STEMI during the COVID-19 pandemic and found that those with COVID-19 positive status had higher in-hospital mortality and were less likely to receive diagnostic angiograms. Additionally, patients of minority ethnicity and with diabetes had poorer outcomes.
Researchers Constantina Theofanopoulou and Erich Jarvis demonstrate that the human hormone oxytocin is the same gene across all major vertebrate lineages, finding synteny in the hormone's receptor. They advocate for a new standard nomenclature to make life easier for scientists studying oxytocin and other hormones.
A novel auditory perception model simulates human ear dynamics to capture time dynamics of dimensional emotions. Neural networks then extract features that reflect this time dynamics, showing better emotion recognition performance than traditional acoustic-based features.
Children born preterm remain at high risk of developmental difficulties affecting behavior and learning ability. Rates of neurodevelopmental disabilities increase as gestational age decreases, with 28% severe to moderate disabilities among those born 24-26 weeks.
A genetically encoded sensor, psychLight, can detect hallucinogenic compounds and rapidly alter brain connections, showing promise for treating mental illness. The sensor was used in high-throughput screening to identify a previously untested compound with antidepressant potential.
A comprehensive meta-analysis found that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was associated with a significantly increased risk of atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder. The study included over 50,000 patients and suggested that fish oil supplements should be used cautiously in individuals at elevated cardiovascular risk.
Jessica Wilkerson, WVU associate professor, is recognized with a prestigious Andrew Carnegie Fellowship to research the overlooked stories of women's activism in the American South. Her project aims to integrate the stories of unsung heroes into the history of women's progressive activism since the 1960s.
Researchers developed nanobodies that target a protein making Ehrlichia chaffeensis bacteria infectious. In mice experiments, the treatment showed significantly lower levels of bacteria two weeks after infection.
A team at Kanazawa University found that vasopressin neurons play a critical role in regulating the timing of output from the molecular clock, which governs circadian behaviors. The study used mice with altered GABA signaling to demonstrate the importance of these neurons in maintaining behavioral rhythms.
A study reconstructs permafrost's history over the last 1.5 million years, revealing that it shifted to a more stable state around 400,000 years ago. This stability suggests that more carbon is locked in the ground, potentially leading to greater climate change releases when thawing occurs.
The study found that stress impairs immune cells' ability to move and fight diseases by inhibiting their movements. This effect is caused by the neurotransmitter noradrenaline, which activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to reduced blood flow, oxygen deprivation, and calcium signaling in leukocytes.
The 2021 ESMO Breast Cancer Congress presented nearly 200 studies on various aspects of breast cancer, including adjuvant, neoadjuvant, and immunotherapy. The congress also highlighted the importance of personalized follow-up care for breast cancer patients.
Scientists at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have developed a new computer model that accurately predicts the behavior of plasma in the sun's solar corona. This breakthrough could lead to better space weather predictions and improve the understanding of magnetic reconnection, which drives the fusion reactions that power the sun.
Research finds that age-related changes in RNA levels alter gene function in human egg cells, leading to impaired maturation and reduced fertility. The study suggests that age may influence an oocyte's ability to process critical genes, with potential implications for reproductive medicine.
Researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute have developed a new method called nanorate sequencing (NanoSeq) that enables accurate study of genetic changes in human tissues. The study challenges the idea that cell division is the main mechanism driving genetic changes and opens up new avenues for research into cancer and ageing.
A new study dating the Purākaunui pits to 1430-1460 CE provides evidence for rua kumara storage in southern New Zealand, connecting local Māori traditions with archaeology. The discovery sheds light on how scientific evidence complements mātauranga Maori knowledge around taonga storage.
The research group has developed a new method to produce diploid genome assemblies in marmosets, revealing huge variations between the two paternal genomes. These findings provide standards for biodiversity genomics and have implications for understanding primate evolution, biology, and diseases.
Researchers found significant racial/ethnic disparities in the performance of statistical models predicting suicide risk after outpatient mental health visits. These disparities were most pronounced among Asian Americans and American Indians, suggesting a need for culturally tailored interventions.
The Pediatric Academic Societies 2021 Virtual Meeting will showcase the latest clinical and scientific advances in pediatrics. The conference features a full scientific program with over 60 specialties presenting, as well as opportunities for networking and collaboration.
A study by Tel-Aviv University found that 80-100% of participants could correctly identify each other based on a 3-song playlist, regardless of prior knowledge. This has significant implications for commercial companies' ability to infer user information.
Researchers have developed a new generation of CAR T cells that safely target and kill solid tumors in mice with mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, and glioblastoma. The 'prime-and-kill' molecular circuits enable specific recognition of tumor antigens on healthy tissues, reducing the risk of side effects.
Professor Ullsperger and his team aim to understand the neural mechanisms behind cognitive control and decision-making using new methods, including brain stimulation with focused ultrasound. The research may lead to new therapeutic possibilities for psychiatric disorders such as OCD.
Predatory bacteria grow faster and consume more resources than non-predators in the same soil, according to a study. These active predators play an outsized role in how elements are stored in or released from soil, with some species growing 36% faster and taking up carbon 211% faster.
The study confirms long-term DAPT as an optimal treatment option for ACS patients following PCI, reducing ischemic events without increasing bleeding. Extended DAPT was associated with a lower risk of major cardiovascular events without an increase in bleeding events in high-risk patients.
A new study finds that low-income blocks in 92% of US urban communities have less tree cover and are hotter than high-income blocks. The analysis revealed a disparity of 15.2% in tree cover between low- and high-income blocks, with low-income blocks being 1.5°C hotter.
The Vertebrate Genome Project has reported first discoveries in reading the entire genome of every bird, mammal, lizard, fish, and other creatures with backbones. The project achieved near complete, high-quality genomes for 25 species, including the greater horseshoe bat, Canada lynx, platypus, and kākāpō parrot.