Scientists at Paderborn University have demonstrated the spatial confinement of a light wave to a point smaller than the wavelength in a topological photonic crystal. This finding enables novel unidirectional waveguides that transmit light without back reflection, even with arbitrarily large disorder.
The study found that certain grain boundaries in strontium titanate exhibit enhanced thermal expansion, leading to potential material failures. This discovery highlights the importance of grain boundaries in material properties and has implications for selecting suitable materials for various applications.
Researchers have discovered GJ 367b, a sub-Earth exoplanet with a density similar to that of pure iron, which orbits its red dwarf star host in under 24 hours. The planet's size and mass indicate it has lost its outer mantle, suggesting an iron-rich core, similar to Mercury's interior structure.
Engineered biofilms made of E. coli bacteria exhibit emergent drug resistance properties when printed using the new technique. This study provides valuable insights into harnessing the beneficial aspects of biofilms while combating their negative effects, potentially leading to breakthroughs in medicine and materials science.
A study found that COVID-19 vaccination significantly lowers the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among patients with cancer. The vaccinated group had a lower incidence of COVID-19 compared to those who did not receive the vaccine.
Researchers studied the usage of population terms in a 70-year publication history of the American Journal of Human Genetics, finding changes in word usage and associations between terms. The study suggests that structural racism, social trends, and changing views on social constructs may be linked to these changes.
A recent study found associations between air and water pollutants and changes in the human sex ratio at birth. Pollutants such as PCBs, iron, lead, and chromium were linked to an increased or decreased ratio of baby boys to girls.
Research found that households in different cultures are motivated to adapt to climate change by factors such as self-efficacy and perceived costs. However, these drivers vary across countries, with previous flood experiences having little effect on adaptation intentions in some regions, but discouraging it in others.
Research suggests that adolescents who struggled with difficult peer interactions before the pandemic did not experience increased depression and anxiety during isolation. In contrast, teens in general reported increased symptoms. The findings imply that COVID isolation may have had a different impact on teenagers with problematic peer...
Researchers at Harvard Medical School identified likely mutations that would allow the virus to evade immune defenses, including natural immunity and vaccine-developed antibodies. The study provides important clues about areas of concern with omicron variant and serves as a primer for future variants.
A new study identifies customers' political ideology as a driver of satisfaction, finding that conservatives are consistently more satisfied than liberals. Companies can use this insight to tailor their products and services to boost customer satisfaction and drive sales.
A new study led by NCAR finds that the Southern Ocean absorbs significantly more carbon than it releases, clarifying its role as a carbon sink. Airborne measurements of carbon dioxide reveal critical patterns in the global carbon cycle, providing insights into climate change projections and emission reduction measures.
Phycocyanin, a natural food colorant, loses its hue when exposed to acidified beverages. Cornell researchers stabilized the protein using X-ray beams, allowing it to retain its vibrant blue color. The study provides insights into the molecular structure of phycocyanin and its interaction with light.
A team of scientists measured the masses of two young giant planets in a 20 million-year-old system, finding they reached their final size at an early stage of evolution. This challenges current models, suggesting that giant planets can contract and mature rapidly.
A recent study found that people who are open to technology but perceive a lack of access to it (tech seekers) are most likely to want to use AI-powered symptom checkers. The tool's adoption is also influenced by perceptions about trust and output quality, with skeptics being the least likely group to adopt it.
A new study from the University of Bath is shedding light on the behavior of saline solutions under extreme conditions, a crucial step towards carbon storage in deep-sea aquifers. The research uses neutron diffraction to examine the interaction between salt ions and water molecules at high pressures and temperatures.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that women with advanced melanoma are more likely to die from checkpoint inhibitors, a class of cancer treatment. The researchers analyzed health records of 1,369 patients and discovered a significant difference in mortality rates between men and women treated with the same combinatio...
A new white paper shares practical strategies to inform stewardship efforts and ensure appropriate use of antibiotics, citing the public health crisis of antibiotic resistance leading to 23,000 preventable deaths each year. Implementation science principles can bridge the evidence-practice gap.
A new study found a dramatic increase in people with co-occurring mental health needs and substance use disorders in B.C. prisons, reaching 75% of the prison population. The study calls for more treatment and efforts to address social and structural inequities.
New research found that even with proper PPE, medical instrument processing personnel are frequently exposed to splashing liquids during routine activities. The study highlights the need for additional research to support evidence-based guidelines and recommends a combination of engineering solutions and improved protective gear.
Researchers found that increased physical activity reduced mortality risk in all groups, but health benefits plateaued in healthy individuals and those with cardiovascular risk factors. In contrast, cardiovascular disease patients showed no further benefit beyond a certain volume of physical activity.
Astronomers have discovered an ultra-short-period planet GJ 367 b, which orbits its star in just eight hours and has a radius of 72% that of Earth. The planet's mass is 55% of the Earth's, indicating it likely has an iron-rich core, similar to Mercury's interior.
A study found that many Medicaid-enrolled women in Virginia were unaware of dental pregnancy benefits, despite comprehensive coverage enacted in 2015. The survey revealed significant gaps in oral health knowledge among reproductive-age women by insurance status, with Medicaid-enrolled women facing barriers to care at higher rates.
Cedars-Sinai researchers discovered that interleukin-6 mediates delirium-like phenotypes in mice with urinary tract infections, highlighting a potential therapeutic target. The study suggests that modulating immune responses may help alleviate UTI-induced delirium.
Researchers have developed a new two-photon microscope that provides subcellular resolution of multiple brain regions, enabling monitoring of neural circuitry in mammals. The microscope has the largest field of view and imaging speed to capture changes in neuron activity during behavior.
The climate crisis affects Antarctic fur seals by limiting krill availability, decreasing their reproductive success, and increasing predation on pups. Satellite tracking reveals that males adapt to the cold environment by diving deeper in search of food.
A new Northwestern study reveals that brain motor neurons degenerate early in diseases like ALS, sending warning signals and showing defects. Targeting the brain's motor neurons could lead to long-term and effective treatment strategies.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology found a significant increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among girls and young women in western Kenya, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers attribute this rise to increased stress-related changes in the vaginal microbiome.
Researchers develop theory on exploiting space reflection and time reversal symmetries to control transport and correlations in quantum materials. The discovery may lead to the design of future quantum devices relying on strong correlations and exceptional points in oligomer chains.
The Seattle Space Needle renovation incorporated acoustic designs to limit sound transmission, enhancing visitor experience. Acoustic materials and effective reverberant sound control were selected for the observation levels and restaurant.
Researchers at Hospital Gregorio Marañón and UC3M developed a navigation system combining surgical navigation, three-dimensional photography, and augmented reality to estimate bone fragment positions during surgery. This system has been used on 7 patients with optimal results, reducing dependency on surgeons' experience.
Coastal organisms thrive on floating plastic debris in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, expanding their biogeography. The discovery reveals that plastic pollution is providing a habitat for coastal species to survive and even thrive in the open ocean.
Tiny fixational eye movements, beyond human awareness, are critical for fine details and everyday tasks. Microsaccades cause transient visual suppression during gaze shifts, but vision recovers rapidly at the center of gaze, leading to enhanced overall visibility.
Researchers have created a material system exhibiting unusually long-range Josephson effect, enabling macroscopic quantum coherence and potential for spintronic applications. The discovery of 'triplet' superconductivity, where electrons with the same spin circulate, expands possibilities for low-power consumption devices.
A new report from Portland State University aims to improve mobility and quality of life for older adults by developing forms of assistance and educational strategies. The study found that low-income older adults faced significant barriers to transportation, including fear of public transit during the pandemic lockdowns.
The Cumbre Vieja volcano eruption revealed a four-year period of increased seismic activity, suggesting early warning signs of unrest. This discovery has significant implications for eruption forecasting at quiescent volcanoes.
Researchers created a single-cell map of corn's root, identifying key regulators of cellular diversity that help crops tolerate drought and flooding. The study found that the genetic regulator SHORT ROOT (SHR) plays a crucial role in expanding cortex tissue, leading to increased tolerance of climate stressors.
A team of researchers has developed a Dynamic Sampling Platform to analyze cells in real-time, overcoming the time-consuming and expensive process of biomanufacturing. The platform provides insight into cell behavior and biochemical information needed for process control, potentially lowering the cost of cell therapies.
A team of biologists identified the fungus Verticillium dahliae's effector molecule VdAMP3, which targets beneficial organisms in the plant's microbiome to promote infection. This discovery highlights the importance of considering the entire microbiome when understanding disease.
A new study found that children's books in long day care centres are often not inclusive of diverse characters and perpetuate traditional gender roles. The research team analysed eight long day care centres in Australia and the USA, finding that only 10% of frequently read books featured diverse characters.
Researchers identified 187 North Atlantic right whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, a 40% segment of the catalogued population, with most returning every year for up to 5 months. The study highlights the importance of the Gulf as a habitat and provides valuable information for developing protection measures.
Scientists have developed a technology called LUX-MS to study the organisation of cell surface molecules, revealing that proteins work together to fulfil cellular functions. The method can detect the proximity of molecules on the cell surface with nanometer-scale precision.
Researchers developed an automated system using deep learning to detect COVID-19 lesions in CT chest scans, achieving 99% accuracy. The system can provide high-precision data for doctors to make robust and accurate diagnoses.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum identified 14 new types of cross-site leak (XS-Leak) attacks on web browsers. XS-Leaks allow malicious websites to grab personal data by interacting with other sites in the background, with popular browsers like Chrome and Firefox vulnerable to multiple attacks.
A recent study published in Canine Medicine and Genetics reveals that most dog breeds are highly inbred, with an average inbreeding rate of 25% or sharing the same genetic material with a full sibling. This high level of inbreeding contributes to increased disease and healthcare costs throughout a breed's lifespan.
Researchers at Lehigh University are working on a project funded by the Good Food Institute grant to adapt human tissue engineering techniques for growing meat in the lab. The team is developing a scaffold for meat cells to grow on and using electrochemistry, nanomaterial design, and liposomal delivery vehicles to promote fibrous growth.
The Center for Justice Research at Texas Southern University has received a $410,000 grant from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to continue its work on building and sustaining diversity within criminal justice research. The center will establish a network of systemic change in education for graduate students and faculty.
A Washington State University study found that cannabis vapor exposure lowered sperm counts and slowed movement in male mice and their sons. The study suggests that cannabis use may be detrimental to male reproductive function, contributing to declining human sperm counts.
Researchers have discovered a genetic variant associated with lower LDL cholesterol and fibrinogen levels, significantly reducing the risk of heart disease in the Amish population. The variant is found in nearly 12% of those living in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania.
A team of researchers used deep learning to analyze cardiac images and identified genetic variations linked to aortic size. The findings may lead to the development of a polygenic score to identify individuals at high risk of aneurysm, as well as new drug targets for aortic enlargement.
Researchers found that consumers are willing to pay a small discount for imperfect carrots, maxing out at 40% of misshapen carrots. Marketing messages promoting the nutritional quality and societal benefits of ugly produce were more effective in convincing consumers to buy.
A new study in Scientific Reports reveals the first palaeontological site with multiple, exceptionally complete dinosaur skeletons from Italy. The Villaggio del Pescatore site in north-eastern Italy has yielded seven individuals of Tethyshadros insularis, the biggest and most complete dinosaur ever found in Italy.
Researchers found that repeated fast charging causes atomic-level damage to the graphite particles in lithium-ion batteries, leading to degradation. This damage hinders the intercalation process, preventing lithium ions from moving into the particles, and ultimately impairing battery performance.
Researchers found that intense volcanic activity led to a surge in phosphorus levels, driving ocean oxygen levels down and triggering a severe mass extinction. The study suggests that natural weathering of volcanic material may have been responsible for the sudden cooling events.
Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology discovered a way to create a stable resonator using two parallel gold flakes in a salty aqueous solution. The structure can be manipulated and used as a chamber for investigating materials and their behavior, with potential applications in physics, biosensors, and nanorobotics.
A UK trial shows six different COVID-19 boosters are safe and stimulate strong immune responses in people who have previously received a two-dose course of ChAdOx1-nCov19 or BNT162b2, according to the first randomised trial of boosters given after two doses. The study found varying levels of protection against COVID-19 infection and ho...
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed weaknesses in the criminal justice system, highlighting issues with family and domestic violence, gang activity, and police-community interactions. Scholars from the American Society of Criminology investigate these concerns in a special issue, exploring lessons learned and policy implications.
Researchers have developed a comprehensive Lyme disease dashboard to define hotspots and map the disease across the US and Canada. The dashboard provides valuable insights for public health awareness and research collaboration.
A novel β2-AR agonist, Higenamine, was found to induce β-arrestin-biased signaling, which may provide therapeutic benefits for treating diseases like asthma and cardiovascular conditions. The compound's unique profile stimulates β-arrestin-dependent ERK1/2 activation, preventing apoptosis in cardiomyocytes.
Scientists found that variations in Earth's orbit drive cycles of higher and lower diversity in coccolithophore size and shape, with rhythms of 100 and 400 thousand years. This influence may have played a role in ancient climates and climate variations during past warm periods.