A study developed by HSS experts shows improved patient outcomes, including reduced hospital stays and readmissions, after implementing an optimized recovery pathway for complex spine surgeries. The new approach also lowered complication rates and enabled patients to recover faster at home.
A new study by University of Colorado Boulder researchers finds that rare earth elements are contaminating Western streams, driven by climate change. The elements can leach into the water from rocks and soil disturbed by historic mines, posing a risk to fish and other aquatic life.
Silent mutations, which don't change protein sequences, hold diagnostic value in predicting cancer types and patient survival. The study analyzed over 10,000 cancer genomes and found that combining information from silent and non-silent mutations improved classification and prognostication up to 17% and 5%, respectively.
A team of scientists from Osaka University developed a machine learning method for classifying the type of building and its primary façade color using deep learning models applied to street-level images. This work may assist in fostering neighborhood cohesion and support urban renewal by providing tailored street-view datasets.
Researchers from Vienna University of Technology have developed a new method to anchor single atoms on surfaces, paving the way for single-atom catalysis. The technique uses silicon atoms as anchors for single metal atoms, which can be used to accelerate chemical reactions.
Researchers found that genes can be triggered by specific patterns of light exposure, producing varying levels of activity. The output was not directly correlated to the input, and controlling frequency gave precise control over gene activity.
Researchers have found a combination of basaltic rocks and natural heat flows that creates an optimal balance of magnesium and sodium ions, necessary for RNA's catalytic activity. This discovery sheds light on the origin of life, suggesting that RNA molecules played a crucial role in early biological processes.
A study by researchers at the University of Virginia Health System has linked American Indigenous ancestry to an increased risk of omega-3 fatty acid deficiency among Hispanic Americans. The genetic variation associated with this deficiency can be used to identify patients at risk and provide personalized nutritional guidance.
Scientists found that rain-borne microbes can successfully colonize plants' aboveground microbial communities, protecting them from stressors. The study suggests that rain is a potentially important reservoir for phyllosphere bacteria, which could be used to improve plant health.
Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences are investigating the biological complexities of Alzheimer's disease in women during midlife aging. The study aims to reveal transformations in the brain that lead to greater risk of Alzheimer's, with a focus on the menopausal transition.
Researchers from Charité and the German Cancer Consortium studied colorectal cancer cells using single cell sequencing to identify adaptations that render treatment ineffective. The study provides insights into the development process of cancer and suggests ways to improve current treatment approaches.
Scientists created a new approach to anchoring individual iridium atoms on the surface of a catalytic particle, increasing its efficiency in splitting water molecules to record levels. This breakthrough could ease the bottleneck for sustainable energy production by enabling more efficient electrolysis.
Despite its promise, cancer immunotherapy faces several hurdles, including limited efficacy and variable outcomes. Researchers are exploring new therapeutic targets and combination strategies to overcome resistance and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers developed a blood test to detect cancer early in people with NF1, a genetic disorder that affects 1 in 3,000 people worldwide. The test differentiates between benign and aggressive tumors with high accuracy and could help monitor treatment responses.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute and PPPL confirm a major advance in stellarator performance, achieving temperatures twice as great as the sun's core. The XICS diagnostic instrument revealed a sharp reduction in neoclassical transport, a type of heat loss that has historically been greater in classical stellarators.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have discovered that aneuploidy drives gain-of-function phenotypes in cells expressing mutant p53. This finding has implications for developing therapies targeting mutant p53, which is mutated in more than half of all human cancers.
Researchers discovered glacial erosion features in Namibia's Kaokoland region, dated to 300 million years ago. These ancient fjords were formed when ice sheets retreated and sea levels rose, preserving a unique example of Late Paleozoic glaciation.
Researchers have simulated the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein structure and found that glycans play a crucial role in cell entry. Disrupting these structures could potentially halt virus transmission. The study provides insight into potential targets for COVID-19 treatment and vaccine development.
A recent study by the University of Copenhagen found that 20% of Danish families own dogs, while 14% own cats. The study also revealed that dogs hold a special place in their owners' hearts, with over 90% reporting a strong bond with their canine companion.
SECORE International's coral breeding technique shows significant success in closing the gap to scale for coral restoration, using floating mesocosms to produce thousands of coral recruits. The approach promotes genetic diversity and can help corals cope with climate change.
Researchers at UNIGE deciphered the genetic mechanisms controlling protein synthesis speed, revealing a dynamic observation technique called ribosome profiling. This method showed that regulatory factors modulate translation rate, affecting protein structure and aggregation.
A Brazilian-UK study found that older individuals with both abdominal fat and muscle weakness experience a significant loss of gait speed over eight years. This decline can lead to difficulty walking and increased risk of falls, impacting independence. Researchers urge health workers to measure abdominal fat and muscle strength to pred...
A new study by Portland State University assesses strategies for the Hood River watershed to adapt to climate change. The researchers found that a combination of water banking, infrastructure improvements, and reflexive feedback mechanisms can achieve overall resilience.
Research reveals that genetics determine hypertension more in women than men, with sex-specific genetic risk traits strongly associated with early-onset hypertension. This finding has important implications for patients and physicians, emphasizing the need for closer monitoring of hypertension risks in women.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine developed a new drug discovery technology to screen billions of compounds for potential treatments against viruses. They identified an inhibitor of the viral protein Mpro, which is needed for virus propagation, and demonstrated its potential in preventing SARS-CoV-2 replication.
PLOS Medicine features five studies outlining novel strategies for detecting cancer and identifying minimal residual disease. Researchers discuss innovative approaches, including plasma cell-free DNA sequencing and urine tumor DNA detection, to distinguish between benign and malignant tumors.
Researchers discovered elevated mercury levels before and during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), a 150,000-year period of extreme warming. The study suggests that 'tipping points' in the Earth's system triggered the release of additional carbon reservoirs, driving unprecedented high temperatures.
Researchers developed an AI tool that can quickly and accurately identify suspicious proteins in the body by analyzing their movements. The method, known as diffusional fingerprinting, uses machine learning algorithms to predict protein behavior with over 90% accuracy.
Researchers have identified a mechanism in Shewanella oneidensis that allows the microbe to take energy into its system for use in its metabolism. The study reveals a pathway for electron uptake that could be used to create efficient, scalable, and cheap methods for storing renewable energy and producing biofuels.
Thanks to a 3-year grant from the Arcadia Fund, IUCN will promote and improve researchers' open access to high-quality conservation knowledge. A lack of access to scientific literature is a major obstacle for roughly half of surveyed conservation experts.
A new study suggests that COVID-19 deaths are driven by a buildup of coronavirus in the lungs. Researchers found that people who died from COVID-19 had 10 times more virus in their lower airways than those who survived.
North Carolina State University researchers develop a soft and stretchable device that harnesses kinetic energy from movement to generate electricity. The device works in both dry and wet environments, including underwater, with a power density comparable to popular energy harvesting technologies.
A new study uses AI to predict the risk of stroke recurrence in individuals, identifying high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, and atrial fibrillation as key risk factors. This personalized approach aims to improve patient treatment adherence and reduce the likelihood of another stroke.
A hydrogel developed by Jianjun Guan at Washington University in St. Louis delivers oxygen to wounds, accelerating healing and reducing inflammation. The treatment shows promise for treating chronic wounds in people with diabetes and other conditions where oxygen levels are low.
This special collection highlights the use of biophysical methods in identifying and characterizing molecules in early drug discovery, including graphene bioelectronic sensing technology and mass spectrometry. It also showcases a fully automated acoustic ejection mass spectrometry technology for high-throughput screening.
A new study predicts extreme sea levels will become 100 times more frequent worldwide, with an annual occurrence by the end of the century. The research, led by Claudia Tebaldi, suggests rising temperatures will have a significant impact on coastal regions, particularly in the tropics and lower latitudes.
Researchers at the University of Witwatersrand have developed a new approach to probing high-dimensional quantum states, reducing measurement time from decades to minutes. The method enables faster quantum computing and communication by determining key parameters such as dimensionality and purity of the quantum state.
A new study created a model to show how dysfunction of air sac cells initiates fibrotic cascade in lung diseases like IPF and chILD. The study used patient-specific cells with altered genes to test novel therapeutics, offering hope for developing effective treatments without risky biopsies.
Researchers identified a new mechanism preventing toxic DNA lesions in cells, which could lead to therapies for Huntington's disease. The study found that FAN1 can block the accumulation of DNA mismatch repair factors, alleviating toxicity in cells derived from patients.
During California's 2020-21 medical surge, a collaborative approach helped manage oxygen demand. The state developed a plan with backup systems to prevent pipeline freezing and shortage.
Researchers found that the protruding eyes and mouth of stingrays increase negative pressure and pressure difference, leading to increased thrust and propulsion efficiency. The study reveals design principles for next-generation aquatic vehicles.
Researchers found that breathing humid air and delivering salt droplets reduced respiratory droplet generation by 50% within 10 minutes. A correlation between elevated airborne salt concentration and reduced COVID-19 incidence and deaths was also observed along US coastlines.
The FIGARO-DKD trial found that finerenone improved cardiovascular outcomes in patients with mild-to-moderate kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. Finerenone reduced the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality by 13%, largely driven by a 29% reduction in hospitalization for heart failure.
A large-scale study of COVID-19 data in Indiana found that Black communities and rural residents were more likely to be hospitalized and die from the virus. The study highlighted disparities in public health efforts and calls for targeted interventions to address these gaps.
A team of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis has received a $3.12 million NIH grant to study neurovascular recovery after stroke. They aim to develop new neurovascular imaging technology using two-photon fluorescence microscopy and photoacoustic microscopy to visualize blood oxygen delivery in response to neuronal activity.
Research from Drexel University's Autism Institute identifies higher odds of living in residential facilities, receiving outside caregiver services, and having high-risk health conditions among autistic adults, as well as those with intellectual disability and mental health diagnoses. These groups are more likely to contract COVID-19 a...
A study published in JAMA Network Open examines changes in women's and underrepresented group representation in US academic medicine. Since the 1990s, there has been a significant increase in these groups' representation, with certain specialties showing more substantial gains.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Helsinki found that low-density granulocytes (LDG) play a significant role in weakening the immune response in covid-19 patients. The study revealed that LDGs inhibit T lymphocyte division, leading to suppressed adaptive immunity against the virus.
A two-year randomized controlled trial found that eating about ½ cup of walnuts daily modestly lowered LDL-cholesterol levels and reduced small LDL particles in healthy, older adults. The study suggests that walnuts can improve cardiovascular health by improving the quality of LDL particles.
The Salt Substitute and Stroke Study found that replacing regular salt with low-sodium alternatives lowers the risk of stroke, cardiovascular events, and mortality. The study also showed no increased risk of serious adverse events related to hyperkalaemia, providing clear evidence for an effective and affordable intervention.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has shed light on why it's difficult to learn a second language as an adult. Researchers found that clusters of neurons in the speech cortex fine-tune themselves as listeners gain familiarity with foreign sounds, indicating a crucial step in language learning.
Scientists at Tsinghua University have successfully created micro-scale devices that can slide for up to 100 km without wear or friction. The devices use structural superlubricity, which enables near-zero friction and zero wear during sliding, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.
A new study found that local mobility, primary care access, and limited contacts in contagion hubs can curb COVID-19 deaths. The researchers used novel statistical approaches to analyze mortality curves across 20 Italian regions, identifying a strong association between mobility and COVID mortality.
Researchers have discovered that lattice softness is the dominant factor affecting a metal's ability to hydrogenate, enabling the expedited development of hydrogen storage materials. This parameter can also be used to evaluate the hydrogenation ability of intermetallic compounds.
Residents in states that lifted eviction moratoria had a higher risk of receiving a COVID-19 diagnosis 12 weeks later compared to those with still-active moratoria. The association grew stronger over time, especially among individuals with pre-existing medical conditions and lower socioeconomic status.
A study reveals the biological process used by Xanthomonas to weaken plants' defense systems and discovers a novel class of enzymes called CE20 that can assist infection. This discovery contributes to developing strategies to combat citrus canker and obtaining advanced sugars from agroindustrial waste.
Research published in JAMA Network Open found that preterm infants with higher exposure to their mother's breast milk had enhanced cardiac function at one year of age, approaching values seen in healthy full-term infants. Exclusive breast milk consumption was associated with normalization of heart traits and lower lung pressures.
A PLoS One study found demographic and clinical markers that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 disease in patients aged 18-29. The study identified Hispanic men as more likely to develop severe disease outcomes, as well as factors such as asthma history, congestive heart failure, and diabetes.
A Rice University lab developed a 'smart' shirt that gathers accurate EKGs and heart rates using conductive nanotube thread. The fibers, just as conductive as metal wires but washable and comfortable, provided better data than standard chest-strap monitors.
Scientists at Tokyo University of Science discovered endophytic bacteria that can survive extreme conditions within passion fruit seeds. The bacteria were isolated from seedlings grown from cut seeds and found to possess biocatalytic activities related to the metabolism of secondary metabolites, such as resveratrol and piceatannol.