Researchers have identified a SARS-CoV-2 variant that sacrifices tight binding to human cells in favor of evading the immune system, which could undermine current COVID-19 vaccines and therapies. The variant, B.1.351, has been found to reduce its binding to ACE2 receptors but decrease its binding to human antibodies.
Researchers at Washington State University found that tiny plastic particles can move through the environment, evading natural obstacles like sand and organic matter. This study could help develop more efficient filters to remove microplastics from drinking water.
Researchers found that people with high blood pressure are more likely to drink less coffee or choose decaf, highlighting the role of genetics in regulating coffee consumption for cardio health. Genetic tolerance to caffeine is linked to coffee drinking habits, suggesting a protective mechanism.
In 2020, China experienced a warm and wet climate, with floods and droughts being the most prevalent types of disasters. The mean air temperature was 0.7°C above normal, and annual rainfall was 10.3% above average.
New research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine has identified a sequence of events during seizures that can progress to death. The researchers found that breathing disruption, or apnea, occurs during seizures and that artificially stimulating breathing can prevent sudden death after a seizure.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles report two cases of prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infection in immunocompromised children, highlighting the need for revised infection control policies. The study notes that months-long infections may increase the incidence of viral mutations, which could have significant public health implications.
Researchers at UCI found that soil microbes can evolve in response to climate change, changing genetic diversity in 18 months. This rapid evolution has implications for how soil ecosystems respond to future climate conditions.
Researchers developed an innovative method using acoustic lighthouses to reduce bird strikes with tall human-made structures. By broadcasting specific sounds, these 'acoustic lighthouses' minimize the risk of collisions without visually disturbing birds.
Researchers found that Arctic permafrost thawing events occurred more frequently in the past than predicted, with minimal impact on atmospheric CO2 levels. The study suggests that gradual thawing events may have been absorbed by oceans or plants, contradicting typical global warming predictions.
A new study from Penn State defines what it means to be a picky shopper, exploring the psychological dimensions of this trait. Researchers found that picky shoppers have a small window of acceptance and are more likely to reject free gifts or products based on their idiosyncratic preferences
A recent study published in JAMA Surgery explores the association between gender-affirming surgeries and mental health outcomes. The research suggests that undergoing these procedures can lead to significant improvements in symptoms of depression and anxiety, with participants experiencing reduced stress and improved overall well-being.
A new study found that while man-made noise dominates in some Australian waters, the vast majority of regions remain unpolluted by ship noise. The research highlights the need to protect Australia's pristine oceans and set out proactive measures to manage marine environments.
The Brownfields Assistance Center at West Virginia University has helped communities resurrect once lifeless properties since 2006. The Center's expertise and guidance have enabled neighborhoods in the Mid-Atlantic region to transform brownfields into community assets, generating economic opportunity and jobs.
Research shows that nearly half of fecal samples from wild chimpanzees contain antibiotic-resistant bacteria, highlighting the need for improved hygiene and proper antibiotic use. The study's findings will support the development of interventions to protect both human health and endangered species.
Researchers developed an acellular product, PEP, derived from platelets that heals ischemic wounds by delivering healing messages to cells. The study demonstrates restoration of skin integrity and function in preclinical animal models.
Researchers have identified a new mechanism by which pancreatic cancer cells de-differentiate into a progenitor state, leading to the development of highly aggressive tumors. This process is associated with poorer outcomes in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
A new study from the University of Missouri School of Medicine found that people of color, those with a higher income, and younger individuals are more likely to participate in cancer clinical trials. The analysis of 20,053 respondents showed an average overall clinical trial participation rate of 6.51%, with significant differences in...
Researchers at HKUST create a novel optical tweezers-coupled Raman spectroscopy platform to analyze proteins in low concentrations, particularly IDPs. The study successfully characterizes the structural features of alpha-synuclein, an IDP linked to Parkinson's disease, at physiological concentration.
Researchers found that business schools prioritize low-effort metrics, harming the quality of research. To improve, schools should develop better metrics and high commitment environments where faculty contribute to the health of the business school.
A team of researchers from Virginia Tech and City of Hope aim to improve CAR-T cell therapy for glioblastoma multiforme by studying the impact of fluid flow on the treatment's success. They believe they can use fluid flow to encourage T cells to move deeper into tumors and kill invading cancer cells.
A University of Arizona researcher found that veterinarians and breeders often hold biases against each other, which can lead to suboptimal animal care. Her study proposes solutions to bridge the divide between pet owners, breeders, and vets, including using nonverbal cues, empathy, and unconditional positive regard in communication.
A team of UMass Lowell students won the Rist Campuswide DifferenceMaker award for their invention of TrueFIT, a product that detects and seals leaks in ill-fitting face masks. The team aims to protect people in their everyday lives as well as workers in various industries.
Researchers found that common over-the-counter antibiotic treatments can slow healing and prevent regeneration of hair follicles after wounding. The study suggests that normal levels of bacteria actually improve healing, challenging the long-held theory that antibiotics promote healthy skin regeneration.
A researcher at Tokyo University of Science discovered a menthol-like compound that enhances plant defense against pests. The compound, valine menthyl ester (ment-Val), can be used as an alternative to chemical pesticides and has shown promise in reducing pest damage to various crops.
A new NIH-funded study in mice suggests that enhancing the brain's lymphatic system may lead to better clinical outcomes for Alzheimer's disease patients. The study found that treatments such as immunotherapies BAN2401 or aducanumab might be more effective when the brain's lymphatic system can better drain amyloid-beta protein.
Research shows that physically active individuals who reach 100 PAI points per week have a lower risk of excessive weight gain. The study, which tracked over 85,000 healthy Norwegians for 20 years, found that maintaining at least 100 PAI points per week can help prevent unhealthy weight gain.
A new algorithm developed by researchers at Columbia University can automatically scan electronic medical records for signs of chronic kidney disease, alerting physicians to patients in the earliest stages. The algorithm performs nearly as well as experienced nephrologists, correctly diagnosing kidney disease in 95% of identified cases.
A recent study found that children on the autism diagnostic border exhibit dynamic presentations of clinical features, leading to increased susceptibility of gaining or losing their diagnosis over time. The researchers used machine learning to empirically characterize the classification boundary between ASD and non-ASD participants.
Geographers at Heidelberg University created a full inventory of seasonal aufeis fields in the Upper Indus Basin, discovering over 3,700 fields across 300 square kilometers. These natural reservoirs play an essential role in hydrology and climatology, particularly in irrigation and hydropower generation.
In Denmark, researchers found that farmed honey bees and endangered wild bees compete for limited forage resources. The study provides insights to guide conservation efforts by identifying key forage plant species.
A comprehensive preconception-to-pregnancy management plan has been developed to reduce the risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes. The study, CARNATION, provides recommendations for healthcare providers covering 20 items of care and significantly lowers severe adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Researchers found that dermal fillers can produce local lifting effects in areas like the forehead and temple, with combined injection techniques offering larger benefits. The study's findings broaden the applicability of facial injectables to achieve local and regional lifting effects.
Oregon State University researchers argue that socially just population policies can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote human rights. Effective policies, such as improving education for girls and young women, can significantly decline fertility rates in developing countries.
A new study found that counties with more green spaces have lower racial disparities in coronavirus infection rates, possibly due to equal access to health benefits. Green spaces are associated with improved cognitive performance, reduced stress and increased social cohesion.
A new study proposes a universal nomenclature for oxytocin and vasotocin genes, which were previously named differently in various species due to small protein coding differences. The researchers found that both hormones stem from a common ancestral gene and propose a new naming convention based on this evolutionary history.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have developed a new microscopy technique that allows for the measurement of atomic acidity on surfaces. This breakthrough enables analysis of catalysts on an atomic scale, which is crucial for improving chemical reactions.
Researchers have identified a new species of frog with unique fluorescent properties, found in Brazil. The newly discovered species is highly poisonous, posing a threat to its ecosystem.
The study found that sea surface temperature fluctuations in tropical Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans contribute to heavy rainfall events in China. Additionally, the Siberian High pressure system played a significant role in inducing cold surges during the winter of 2020/21.
Researchers discovered that targeting androgen receptors can destroy bladder cancer cells. The study found a common protein variant in malignant bladder tumor cells, which could lead to new therapeutic strategies.
A new study shows that a potassium ferrate hemostatic patch reduces the time to hemostasis after cardiac catherization, making it safer and faster to remove compression bands. This finding has the potential to change practice and enable same-day discharge protocols for patients.
The Politecnico di Torino team creates hydrogels with complex architectures and self-healing properties using 3D printing activated by light. This breakthrough enables the production of highly complex devices with unique features, paving the way for innovative applications in regenerative medicine and soft-robotics.
A new Penn State study found that parents of adolescents who experience puberty early may be more lenient when it comes to letting them consume alcohol. Adolescents who go through puberty early are at a greater risk for problem behaviors, including being two to three times as likely to drink alcohol.
Analysis of data from a lightning mapper and radiation detector revealed neutrons generated from soil by large cosmic-ray showers, matching simulations that included both hadrons and gamma rays. This discovery suggests natural phenomena producing ground-pointed gamma-rays could produce similar neutron burst signatures.
Experts debate whether wearing masks outdoors can help reduce covid-19 transmission and encourage mask-wearing indoors. Some argue that normalising outdoor mask-wearing can bring benefits, while others believe efforts should focus on reducing indoor transmission.
Researchers discovered a cancer-causing gene mutation that accelerates cerebral cavernous malformation growth, leading to seizures or stroke. Repurposing an anticancer drug showed promise in improving brain-vascular health and preventing bleeding into the brain tissue.
A study published in Neurology found that people living in neighborhoods with lower socioeconomic status experience worse stroke recovery, including more disability and depression. The study suggests that factors such as access to public spaces and perceived safety may contribute to these outcomes.
Researchers tested two suicide prediction models on nearly 14 million health records and found they performed poorly on Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native patients. The study highlights the need to test how prediction models perform in all racial and ethnic groups before implementing them in clinical care.
Dr. Lindsay Hampson, a UCSF researcher, has received the AGS' Jeffrey H. Silverstein Memorial Award for her work on improving patient-centered decision-making for older adults with urologic conditions. Her study found that multimorbidity, frailty, and mortality risk are common among older men with stress urinary incontinence.
Researchers identify subnanoscale chemical short-range order (CSRO) in face-centered cubic VCoNi alloy using complete suite of tools and methods. CSRO is linked to mechanical properties and plasticity mechanisms.
A new simulation study led by UCL researchers suggests that studying black hole-neutron star collisions could provide a new measurement of the Universe's expansion rate, helping to resolve a long-standing dispute. The study found that instruments on Earth could detect ripples in space-time caused by up to 3,000 such collisions by 2030.
Researchers analyzed Lake Victoria cichlid genomes to identify genes contributing to adaptive radiation and species-specific adaptations. The study found evidence of selective sweep events and preexisting genetic variation underlying these processes.
UC Riverside researchers used a nanoscale synthetic antiferromagnet to control magnon interaction, enabling nonlinear spin dynamics. This breakthrough could lead to faster and more energy-efficient computers, as well as advancements in magnetic memory and neuromorphic networks.
A new study found that policies in Pennsylvania aimed at protecting public health from fracking were ineffective due to frequent use of exemptions. The study, published in Energy Policy, analyzed well pad locations and found no significant change in how wells were sited after the state's setback policy took effect in 2012.
A new technique uses bacterial biofilms to capture microplastics, which are then processed and dispersed for recycling. This method has the potential to remove microplastics from wastewater treatment plants, helping to stop their release into oceans and protect human health and food chains.
A recent study by the University of Cincinnati found that inactive oil wells in Texas can leak significant amounts of methane, with some emitting up to 132 grams per hour. The study suggests that regular inspections using infrared cameras could help address the issue.
A study of 1179 children aged 11-12 years found that moderate-to-vigorous physical exercise was 2-6 times more potent than sleep or sedentary time in improving physical and mental health. Exercising 17 minutes more, sleeping an extra 52 minutes, or reducing sitting time by 56 minutes can achieve similar benefits.
Researchers at MIT developed a method to reduce fouling on heat exchanger surfaces by making salts self-eject, using hydrophobic surfaces and heat. The process involves the formation of 'crystal critters' that grow legs and eventually tip over, allowing the salts to be removed easily.
Researchers developed a topical cream using BRAF inhibitor LUT014 to reduce skin rash caused by EGFR inhibitors in colorectal cancer patients. The study showed that the treatment improved skin condition and reduced severity of the rash in 6 out of 10 patients.
A study of 9,290 children found that those with multiple classes of prenatal exposures had a higher risk of psychiatric symptoms. The risk was highest among those with unplanned pregnancy, substance use, or obstetrical complications.
Researchers from UNIGE used mice to study the complex processing of light by the retina, revealing that both light intensity and its temporal shape influence the signal sent to the brain. The findings, published in Science Advances, may lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities for eye weaknesses.