Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison discovered a disrupted Akt protein pathway in men with bipolar disorder, leading to memory problems and weakened brain connections. The findings offer a new target for treating bipolar disorder's often-overlooked cognitive impairments.
The study shows that using a truncated form of the CD4 molecule as part of a gene therapy yields superior and longer-lasting results in mouse models than previous similar therapies. The new approach to CAR T gene therapy has the potential to create lifelong protection from HIV infection by producing memory cells.
A study found that cesarean-born infants have less diverse gut microbiota at birth but catch up with their peers by age 3-5. The intestinal microbiota forms an ecosystem that takes years to mature, and its development can vary significantly among children.
The April edition of SLAS Discovery features research on PROTACs, targeting protein degradation, and kinase family profiling. Authors apply the Four Pillars Framework to expedite PROTAC development and inform pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic understanding.
A new study found that patients who followed a diet with reduced calories and increased exercise had 70% fewer detectable cancer cells after one month of chemotherapy. This intervention showed promise in increasing survival rates for youth with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common childhood cancer.
A new study found that autistic adults are often misjudged due to stereotypical behaviors, leading to disadvantage in the legal system. The researchers argue that these behaviors can be misinterpreted by judges and juries, resulting in harsher sentences for autistic individuals.
Asteroid impact led to 45% plant extinction and paved the way for modern tropical rainforests. Plant diversity took over 10 million years to recover after the impact, with flowering plants dominating ecosystems.
Researchers have developed a novel method to improve photovoltaic performance in perovskite solar cells by modifying grain boundaries with 2D materials. The modifications lead to enhanced carrier mobility and stability, even under certain conditions where grain boundaries are favorable for device performance.
A new cellulose nanofiber coating offers enhanced water resistance for flexible electronic devices, allowing them to withstand hundreds of bending cycles and underwater exposure. The coating's unique properties make it an ideal solution for medical devices used in emergency disaster response situations.
The Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation has awarded a $1 million challenge grant to the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine's Department of Pharmacology. The grant will support recruitment and retention of exceptional faculty, as well as bridge funding for promising early-stage research.
A study published in Science reveals that applied pesticide toxicity has increased substantially between 2004 and 2016, threatening plant and insect biodiversity. The findings apply to genetically modified (GM) crops, challenging the claim of decreasing environmental impact.
A recent study published in PLOS Genetics has identified six genetic variants that add up to determine the risk of several blood cancers in pre-disposed dog breeds. The study found that dogs carrying five or more of these mutations had a very high risk of developing blood cancer during their lifetime.
A new project aims to catalog genetic variations to improve diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The Atlas of Variant Effects will focus on quantifying the functional impact of single nucleotide variants, primarily in protein-coding genes.
A new study by Salk scientists identifies specific regions of the genome that neurons prioritize for DNA repair, revealing
Recent discoveries have revealed a complex picture of plant defense, with responses to PRR receptor signaling and NLR signaling extensively overlapping. The two immune branches are now considered to be more intimately connected than previously thought, leading to a re-thought model of separate ETI and PTI pathways.
A new study from USC reveals the importance of β-catenin in striking a balance between stem cell self-renewal and differentiation into kidney cells. High levels of β-catenin trigger a switch that directs progenitor cells to differentiate into specialized kidney cells.
A new study finds that stem cell transplants after CAR T-cell therapy reduce relapse rates in childhood cancer patients by less than 10% two years later. The research suggests long-term benefits for young patients who receive the treatment, with most experiencing complete remission.
African elephants could occupy a fraction of their potential range if protected from human pressure, with 62% of Africa suitable for their survival. The study found that elephants have great potential for recovery into areas where the human footprint is light.
A large-scale study has identified a new genetic link to male infertility, revealing that unstable Y chromosomes are associated with a significantly increased risk of fertility issues. The study analyzed over 2,300 Estonian men and found that the genetic variation was more common in European descent populations.
A study analyzing pollen data from 1990 to 2020 found that the pollen season has shifted substantially over the past 30 years, with some species starting as early as January. This increase in duration and intensity can lead to more severe health issues, including inflammation in the lungs and negative impacts on the cardiovascular system.
A highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 variant was unknowingly spreading in the US by October 2020, with evidence suggesting it had arrived in at least 15 countries by mid-November. Researchers estimate that travelers from the UK introduced the variant to these countries between Sept. 22 and Dec. 7, 2020.
Researchers at KAIST discovered that plasma jets produce more stable interactions with water surfaces compared to neutral gas jets, reducing bubbling and splashing. The study's findings will help improve our understanding of plasma-liquid interactions and their applications in various industrial fields.
A recent study found that African elephants' actual range has shrunk to just 17% of its potential due to human pressures, including ivory killing. Despite this, the researchers suggest that elephants can still recover into areas with light human footprint for peaceful coexistence.
Researchers have developed a robot that combines radio wave sensing with computer vision to locate and grasp occluded objects. RF-Grasp uses radio waves to sense objects even when they're fully blocked from view, enabling efficient fulfillment in warehouses or retrieving lost items.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a mechanical simulation of the whisker inside the follicle, discovering that bending creates an 'S'-shaped bend within the follicle. This deformation triggers sensor cells, sending touch signals to the brain, and can predict how whiskers activate different sensory cells.
Researchers developed PTVT-T, a low-cost polymer with high photovoltaic performance, revitalizing classical conjugated polymers for efficient OSCs. The study achieved a remarkable 16.2% efficiency and demonstrated the potential of PTVT-T to match with new emerging acceptor materials.
A new study by the USGS found that the risk of COVID-19 transmission to North American bats is low, with a risk of 1 in 1,000 if no protective measures are taken. The risk falls lower with proper use of personal protective equipment or if scientists test negative for COVID-19 before beginning research.
A recent study reveals that the end-Cretaceous asteroid impact drastically restructured tropical forests, leading to a decline in plant diversity and the emergence of angiosperms. The findings suggest that the impact's long-term effects on tropical ecosystems were variable, depending on proximity to the crater and local conditions.
The Ecological Society of America's virtual annual meeting will explore the theme 'Vital Connections in Ecology' from August 2-6, 2021. The event will feature live plenaries, panels, and pre-recorded presentations with accompanying discussion sessions.
A UCI-led team will screen 100,000 children across Orange County for the study, aiming to identify markers that predict resilience and deliver targeted interventions to those most at need. The goal is to ameliorate health disparities and improve access, care, and outcomes for families affected by adverse childhood experiences.
Scientists have found a way to create polarity and photovoltaic behavior in non-photovoltaic 2D materials by arranging them in a special way. The resulting effect is different from traditional solar cells and shows promise for future solar panel improvements.
A team of New Jersey researchers has shown that changes in perceptual certainty and response bias, two central metrics of signal detection theory (SDT), correlate with changes in cognitive fatigue. SDT measures change as a function of changes in brain activation.
Researchers at Brown University have successfully demonstrated the use of an intracortical wireless BCI system in clinical trial participants with tetraplegia. The system enables users to point, click and type on a tablet computer with high accuracy and fidelity, opening up new possibilities for people with paralysis.
A new study by researchers at WashU Medicine found that children hospitalized with RSV are likely to get sicker if they have high levels of defective viral genomes. These defective genomes can trigger a strong antiviral immune response, but timing matters in determining the course of illness.
A new pilot study suggests that restricting calories, reducing fat and sugar intake, and increasing physical activity can improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy for older children and adolescents with leukemia. The intervention showed promise in reducing minimal residual disease, a strong predictor of relapse.
Achuta Kadambi's article in Science explores how medical device physics can perpetuate bias across racial and gender lines. He suggests quantifying sample fairness and recalibrating performance metrics to address these issues.
A study by Cedars-Sinai researchers found that individuals with prior COVID-19 infections who received a single dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine developed an antibody response similar to those without prior infection. The findings suggest that a single booster dose may be sufficient for previously infected individuals.
Researchers have found that hyocholic acids, a component of bile acids, are a strong risk indicator of type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that HCAs can regulate blood glucose levels and protect against diabetes, opening up opportunities for HCA-based predictive markers and anti-diabetic drugs.
Researchers develop innovative spin-to-charge conversion method to achieve high-fidelity readout of qubits, surpassing traditional resonance fluorescence method with an error rate of 4.6%. This breakthrough enables the realization of fault-tolerant quantum computing and improves detection efficiency for quantum sensors.
A new study in mice and people offers a promising entry point to developing new therapies for schizophrenia. Researchers found that hallucination-like events were more common among individuals who experienced spontaneous hallucinations, suggesting a link between brain circuits underlying both human and mouse minds.
A low-calorie diet and moderate exercise program have been shown to dramatically improve survival outcomes for young people with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After just one month of treatment, participants on the intervention had a 70% decrease in detectable cancer cells compared to those not on the regimen.
Researchers reconstruct the Mesozoic paleogeography of the NE Asian continental margin, revealing a transition from passive to active continental margin settings. Additionally, studies investigate low-δ18O A-type granites in SW China, suggesting interaction between the subducted Paleotethyan slab and the Emeishan mantle plume.
A UTokyo-MIT study reveals multilingual adults can learn new languages faster and more efficiently than bilinguals, thanks to increased brain activity. Multilingual participants demonstrated superior language acquisition skills and faster processing times in a simulated Kazakh language learning environment.
Researchers propose using electron holes as a solution to operational speed/coherence trade-off in quantum computing. Theoretical studies predict holes can be used to create robust quantum bits with optimal operation points for ultrafast and highly coherent performance.
A study found that middle schoolers from a predominantly Latinx community with elevated mental health problems showed significant reductions in symptoms during the early stages of the pandemic. Family functioning and socio-emotional learning programs may have offered protective effects.
Scientists at The Wistar Institute have discovered a new mechanism by which senescent cells activate genes that promote tumor development. METTL3 and METTL14 proteins were found to regulate the expression of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype, a complex network of inflammatory molecules that influence tumor growth.
A new CDC study reveals that state-issued mask mandates significantly reduced COVID-19 cases and deaths. On-premises restaurant dining restrictions also showed a notable decrease in virus transmission, highlighting the importance of public health measures during the pandemic.
A nationally representative US study found increasing blood pressure levels among children and teens over the past 20 years, with significant rises in systolic and diastolic pressures. The study's findings highlight growing concerns about childhood hypertension, emphasizing the need for preventive measures.
A new mobile assessment tool will be developed to accurately track participants' saturated fat and added sugar consumption, addressing limitations in traditional research methods. The app aims to provide researchers with high-quality data for better recommendations on improving health and wellness.
Researchers map human impacts on threatened and near-threatened marine species over time, revealing widespread and intensifying pressures. Corals are found to be severely impacted across their entire ranges, with climate-related impacts increasing in severity.
A new German research project aims to challenge the perception of bacteria as simple organisms by studying their complex behavior and multicellularity. The study seeks to gain a deeper understanding of bacterial life forms, with potential applications in combating antibiotic resistance and developing innovative biocatalysis.
Breast cancer cells that spread to the brain must boost fatty acid production to survive due to limited access to fats. Inhibiting this process with a fatty acid synthase inhibitor may lead to tumor shrinkage.
A small study found that exposure to phthalates and bisphenols, commonly found in plastics, may contribute to lower progesterone levels during pregnancy and an increased likelihood of developing postpartum depression. Reducing exposure to these chemicals could be a potential avenue for preventing postpartum depression.
Researchers found that native bee species with adaptable pollination behaviors are better equipped to thrive in fragmented habitats. By studying the interactions between bees and plants, scientists identified key factors that promote ecosystem health and biodiversity.
Research demonstrates that smart glazing windows can decrease energy consumption for lighting and temperature control by up to 35 percent, while reducing CO2 emissions by up to 30 percent. The technology also optimizes natural daylight in a room, reducing reliance on artificial lighting.
A new study by Brigham Young University researchers found widespread glucose metabolism impairment in Alzheimer's Disease brains, while ketolytic metabolism remained relatively intact. The study proposes that dietary and lifestyle changes could slow cognitive decline associated with the disease.
Scientists at Japan's National Institutes of Natural Sciences have successfully synthesized zigzag nanotubes using a novel method. This breakthrough enables the controlled production of all three types of nanotubes: armchair, chiral, and zigzag.
Researchers found a significant gender gap in negotiation among children as early as age eight, with girls requesting less from male evaluators. This finding sheds new light on the wage gap women face in the workforce and highlights the need for early interventions to promote self-advocacy skills.
New study finds toxicity of commonly used pesticides to nontarget species, including aquatic invertebrates and pollinators, has increased considerably. The use of highly toxic pyrethroid and neonicotinoid pesticides is linked to these impacts.
A new study found that increased dopamine in the brain's striatum triggers auditory hallucination-like experiences in mice, shedding light on a possible causal role for dopamine-dependent neurological circuits in psychosis. This breakthrough could inform novel targeted treatments for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.