UMass Lowell is part of a nationwide program to evaluate rapid COVID-19 diagnostic methods. Researchers will assess the reliability and sensitivity of new products using clinical trials and community testing sites.
Researchers from Osaka University identified SPATA33 as a key regulator of sperm motility, which will aid in developing fast-acting male contraceptives. The study also clarified the mechanism by which SPATA33 controls sperm motility, shedding light on the cause of male infertility.
Researchers developed a new phosphorescent material inspired by wood's natural ability to faintly glow, using lignin trapped within a 3D polymer network. The material glows visibly for around one second and has potential applications in medical imaging, optical sensing, and textile industry.
Princeton University researchers have created the world's smallest mechanically interlocked biological structure, a deceptively simple two-ring chain made from tiny strands of amino acids. The study demonstrates that these structures can toggle between at least two shapes, laying the groundwork for a biomolecular switch.
Researchers conducted focus groups with stakeholders to identify safety measures and public health messaging that reduce the spread of COVID-19. Participants emphasized the need for transparent messaging, regulations, and enforcement of precautions to promote community safety and comfort.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have successfully imaged lethal prions using cryo-electron microscopy, providing atomic-level data on their structure and assembly. This breakthrough offers a new premise for understanding and targeting these currently untreatable diseases.
Researchers captured footage of a tortoise attacking and killing a tern chick on Frégate Island. The tortoise approached the chick with its jaws open, suggesting it was an experienced hunter. This unusual behavior challenges previous assumptions about tortoises' diets and hunting habits.
Bassam Haddad at George Mason University has received a $850,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York to promote public scholarship on the Arab world and broader region. The project aims to strengthen networks, research, publishing, and public profiles of Arab scholars.
Researchers at TU Wien developed a model to assess the impact of heavy rainfall and flooding on water quality in riverine floodplains, which are essential for drinking water supplies. The model aims to reduce faecal contaminants from human and animal waste, ensuring safe extraction of drinking water.
Researchers at the University of Michigan used machine learning to predict how metal alloy compositions affect electronic structures, linking fingerprints to material performance. The model simplifies density of states into two principal components, capturing correlations between composition and reactivity.
Researchers found a spike in prescription opioid and anti-anxiety sedative consumption, while illicit drug use plummeted during the early pandemic. The study used wastewater analysis to track community-wide habits and anxiety levels.
Researchers investigated sarpogrelate, an approved antiplatelet medication, for its potential to treat heart failure. Sarpogrelate suppressed cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and the development of heart failure in mice, suggesting it may be an effective low-cost agent for heart failure therapy.
A Stanford University study suggests that wildfire smoke exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth, with as many as 7,000 extra births attributed to this factor between 2007 and 2012. The research highlights the need for investment in prescribed burns, mechanical thinning, or other efforts to reduce extreme wildfires.
A study published in Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences analyzed tree rings from old-growth Douglas-firs on the Oregon Coast, revealing reduced growth following the 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami in 1700. The findings confirm modeling of the quake's reach and provide insight into the impact of tsunamis on trees.
A new compact system enables real-time, in-line 3D inspection of surfaces with micron-scale precision, enhancing quality control in industrial production. The system combines a fast steering mirror and high precision 1D confocal chromatic sensor to create a compact and lightweight measurement tool weighing just 300 grams.
Researchers found no negative impact on families during the infant's first year of life after genome sequencing, even if genetic risk or carrier status were revealed. The study showed lower self- and partner-blame in families with sequencing information, suggesting it provided some degree of peace of mind.
A new study by Tufts University researchers identifies a high risk of forced labor in US fruits and vegetables, with most food-country combinations coded as high risk. The study's findings highlight the need for policymakers, farmers, and food companies to address systemic issues in food supply chains.
Managing 30% of land for conservation could safeguard 70% of terrestrial plant and vertebrate animal species while conserving over 62% of the world's above-ground vulnerable carbon. The study also suggests this approach could safeguard 68% of all clean water resources.
A recent study found that introducing new airline routes leads to a 7.3% increase in kidneys sent to transplant centers across the US, while also reducing the discard rate of kidneys. This improved transportation infrastructure facilitates broader organ sharing and can help match supply and demand.
A new preclinical study validates the spleen's role in cardiac healing and suggests targeting S1P as a potential treatment for heart failure. The study discovered interactions between S1P and the heart during transition from acute to chronic heart failure.
Researchers found Prozac reduces lipid concentrations in monkey brains, linked to potential side effects in young patients. The study suggests dietary changes may alleviate adverse effects by influencing lipid synthesis.
Research of over 18,000 mother and child pairs found that maternal obesity was associated with a heightened risk of bowel cancer in adulthood. Conditions in the womb may be key risk factors for the disease, which is expected to increase globally due to rising rates among younger adults.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a scalable method to harvest exosomes from unpasteurized cow's milk, enabling the production of purified exosomes for oral drug delivery. The new protocol advances pharmaceutical applications for fragile drugs and opens up a wide range of clinical applications.
A new study from Monash University has identified RNA released from damaged cells as a signal to initiate repair in the nervous system. The research found that blocking or enhancing this recruitment of immature neurons halted or sped up neural circuit recovery, demonstrating their power in boosting neural repair.
Researchers discovered false optical activity in Raman spectroscopic analysis of vitamin B12 and its derivatives, leading to misinterpretations of data. The phenomenon was attributed to circular dichroism and can be computationally modeled or adapted to measurement methods.
A new research project by the University of South Australia aims to identify ways for people to grow and sustain meaningful connections as they age. Older adults participating in environmental citizen science projects, such as weekly guided nature walks and wildlife photography, may experience improved physical activity, health, and we...
Researchers found that people who believe leisure is wasteful report poorer mental health outcomes, including lower happiness and higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. In contrast, those who view leisure as having productive value enjoy activities more.
Scientists at Nara Institute of Science and Technology create a projected touchscreen system using just one camera and projector, eliminating the need for additional detectors. The system uses slope disparity gating to capture touch data with high efficiency, enabling portable projection systems for large interactive displays.
Researchers found that Antrodia salmonea induces apoptosis and enhances cytoprotective autophagy in colon cancer cells, suggesting a potential treatment for colon cancer. The study reveals that AS-induced apoptosis and autophagy are mediated by reactive oxygen species.
A new digital study has found that Tyrannosaurus rex's jaw had nerve sensors enabling it to better detect and eat its prey. The researchers used computed tomography to analyze the distribution of neurovascular canals in a fossil mandible, revealing complex branching patterns similar to those of modern-day crocodiles and birds.
Researchers developed a new memory device that uses perovskite to store and visually transmit data, achieving parallel and synchronous reading of data through electrical and optical methods. The device has the potential for numerous applications in next-generation technologies.
A new study predicts that the population of San Nicolas Island foxes will remain at a low risk of extinction due to their isolated habitat and relatively dry environmental conditions. The researchers suggest strategies such as biosecurity, restoration of habitats, and minimizing human-wildlife conflict to increase the foxes' resilience...
A study found that combined drinking and smoking after the first trimester may be associated with a significantly increased risk of late stillbirth. The observational study suggests that this exposure may be particularly concerning for women who do not have pre-existing health conditions.
Researchers from Okayama University conducted a randomized trial to assess the benefits of interventions for early cancer screening in patients with schizophrenia. The study found that 47.1% of counseled patients underwent colorectal cancer screening, compared to 11.8% of those receiving only usual treatment.
Researchers found that consuming pecans daily or substituting them for similar calories in the diet improved total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol levels. The study suggests a more sustainable approach to lowering cholesterol and reducing coronary artery disease risk.
Researchers discover that gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is widely conserved among vertebrates, but the NMB/bombesin system has diversified in some lineages. GRP has evolved independently from a single ancestral homologue and plays a role in regulating energy intake and expenditure in both amphibians and mammals.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science developed a self-powered diaper sensor that monitors urine sugar levels, providing an alternative biomarker for blood sugar monitoring. The sensor uses a biofuel cell powered by glucose in the urine, detecting sugar levels within 1 second and simplifying caretaking tasks.
A study published in Developmental Cell reveals that lagging chromosomes contribute to an uneven chromosomal distribution, leading to aneuploidy and infertility. Researchers propose artificially slowing down cell division to limit aneuploidy, offering a potential solution for improving egg quality in older patients.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a tunable neural network framework that achieves high accuracy and efficiency for sparse CNNs. The new architecture employs a Cartesian-product MAC array and pipelined activation aligners to enable dense computing of sparse convolution, resulting in better resource utilization.
A new study published in Hypertension Journal Report found that flavonoid-rich foods, including berries and wine, can lower blood pressure by modulating the gut microbiome. The study of 904 adults suggested that increasing flavonoid intake may be a valuable strategy for preventing hypertension.
Scientists at Ehime University successfully measured the longitudinal and shear velocities of MgSiO3 majorite garnet up to 18 GPa and 2000 K. The results suggest that elastic softening occurs in mantle garnets with increasing pressure, potentially affecting subducted slab speeds.
A team of researchers has created a new algorithm that determines the most efficient route for robots to navigate complex spaces. The RBF-Galerkin method combines two existing approaches to find the optimal solution, surpassing other methods in terms of cost and time efficiency.
Researchers analyzed social media connections of over 4 million users across 10 countries, finding common characteristics and behaviors, including follow ratios and profile length. These findings can help tailor data analysis to cultural differences, improving marketing and information sharing.
Researchers at RMIT University have discovered a Teflon-like molecule on the womb's surface that decreases at a certain point in the menstrual cycle, opening the 'golden window' for pregnancy success. This finding could lead to improved IVF success rates and potentially treat underlying causes of infertility.
A modelling study published in BMJ Open estimates that the COVID-19 pandemic led to an additional 267,208 infant deaths in low- and middle-income countries, a 7% increase over expected numbers. The economic downturn caused by the pandemic exacerbated mortality among vulnerable groups.
A Princeton University-led research team discovered that water blisters on the surface of Greenland's high-elevation ice sheet can estimate transmissivity, a property characterizing the efficiency of water networks between ice and bedrock. The study found that transmissivity can increase by two orders of magnitude during the summer mel...
A multidisciplinary team of scientists studied the elephant trunk's kinematic versatility, revealing a toolkit of 20 basic movements that combine to produce complex behaviors. The researchers identified a mathematical law governing the trunk's velocity, similar to human hand-drawing movements.
A team of scientists led by Assistant Professor Lae-Hyeon Cho identified a single mutation in the gene that codes for cytidine triphosphate synthase (CTPS), an enzyme crucial for early endosperm development. The study showed that overexpressing CTPS in genetically modified rice plants results in a larger endosperm, opening up opportuni...
Researchers found that taxi drivers who smoked cigarettes were more likely to cheat riders after the federal excise tax on cigarettes was raised. This spillover effect occurs when targeted individuals defraud others due to perceived unfairness and reduced buying power.
A new study by UC San Diego researchers finds that moving local elections to on-cycle races increases voter turnout and makes the electorate more representative of the population, particularly in terms of race, age, class, and partisanship. The study analyzed California elections over an eight-year period and found significant effects ...
A study found that 95% of fungal species on Earth remain undescribed, leading to inconsistent regulations and potential health risks. The researchers tested 16 food products labeled as containing 'wild mushrooms' and discovered most consisted of cultivated species, including poisonous varieties.
Researchers found biochemical changes in ME patients' blood, supporting the theory that ME is linked to impaired cellular energy supply. The study identified distinct metabolic signatures and adaptations among patients, which may relate to disease severity.
Researchers have developed a common workflow interface for various quantum codes, enabling accurate predictions of system properties and promoting the wider use of density-functional theory. The interface allows users to optimize structures using any code without defining parameters, providing reusable results.
Isaac Hilton is using non-integrating episomal DNA viruses to create a new platform technology for cell and gene therapies. He aims to hijack these viruses to safely program medicinal functions in human cells.
A University of Surrey undergraduate has developed a method to suppress hot-carrier effects in devices, leading to more reliable performance and increased power efficiency. This breakthrough uses a multimodal transistor architecture, which could enable high-performance amplifiers for environmental and biological sensor applications.
Wayne State University researcher Yaoxian Huang received $332,689 for a three-year research study to improve understanding of reactive nitrogen from snowpack and transportation. The project aims to provide scientific support for air quality management and promote air quality education for future generations.
A new study estimates the intensity and frequency of extreme novel pandemics, finding that large pandemics like COVID-19 are relatively likely due to growing risks. The study suggests that a pandemic similar in scale to COVID-19 is likely within 59 years, highlighting the need for adjusted perceptions of pandemic risks.
Researchers at Tohoku University have developed liquid-sulfur/sulfide composite cathodes enabling high-rate magnesium batteries. The material shows high capacity, potential, cyclability, and rate capability, with a discharge capacity of ~900 mAh/g and stable performance for over 50 cycles.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in the proportion of community-dwelling homebound adults aged 70 or older in the US, particularly among Black non-Hispanic and Hispanic/Latino individuals. Compliance with social distancing measures is believed to be a key factor contributing to this trend.
Researchers at UC San Diego developed a system that splits a single millimeter wave beam into multiple paths to improve reliability and throughput. The technology achieved high speeds of up to 800 Mbps with 100% reliability, even in outdoor tests over distances of 262 feet.