Several NASA individuals were recognized by the American Geophysical Union as 2021 union honorees for their outstanding work in scientific research, education, communication, and outreach. Brooke Medley received the Cryosphere Early Career Award, while Suresh Adhikari was honored with the John Wahr Early Career Award.
Wang's research aims to integrate state-of-the-art statistical modeling with modern computational techniques for high-dimensional functional data. The project will develop flexible intelligent models, formal statistical inference tools and high-performance software packages for analyzing large-scale imaging data.
A team of international researchers challenged Einstein's theory of general relativity using pulsars as a cosmic laboratory. They detected new relativistic effects, including light deflection and time dilation, with unprecedented precision. The study provides significant insights into gravity theories and the fundamental forces of nature.
The Virginia Consortium for Teacher Preparation in Vision Impairment is a statewide program aimed at training teachers of visually impaired students. Avila received $315,777 from the US Department of Education to support this initiative.
A University of Liverpool study found that meteorite impacts are determined by the minerology of the rocks hit, not the size of the impact. The study analyzed 44 impacts and found that those hitting rocks rich in potassium feldspar always correspond with mass extinction episodes.
A new study by Kaiser Permanente researchers has found that people with HIV are at higher risk of developing heart failure than those without the condition. The study identified significant differences in heart failure risk among various demographics, including age, sex, and ethnicity.
Scientists have discovered a new potential treatment to reverse antibiotic resistance in bacteria causing sepsis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. The indole carboxylates class of enzyme blockers can stop MBL resistance enzymes from working, allowing antibiotics like carbapenems to effectively target bacteria.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research have developed an organic neuromorphic circuit that allows a robot to learn and navigate a maze. The robot uses sensory signals to make decisions, receiving corrective stimuli when it makes wrong turns, and gradually learns to avoid them.
A study published in CMAJ found that hospital health care workers in Quebec had high seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The highest rates were reported in hospitals with outbreaks, particularly those from older facilities.
The Ubuntu study evaluates the efficacy of Moderna mRNA-1273 against the omicron variant and identifies optimal dosages for people living with HIV. The trial, conducted in eight sub-Saharan countries, aims to inform vaccine strategies for this high-risk population.
A predictive model based on magnetic resonance spectroscopy can detect lung cancer from alterations in blood metabolites, allowing for early-stage screening and potentially improving survival rates. The study screened tens of thousands of blood specimens and found accurate predictions using values from prior-to-diagnosis blood samples.
Access to modern cooking fuels like gas and electricity improves health and frees up time for women to seek information and education, ultimately leading to reproductive rights. The study found a significant connection between modern energy access and lower fertility rates in countries with high initial fertility rates.
A team from UCF created an optical oscilloscope that can measure the electric field of light, allowing for faster data transmission in fiber optic communications. The device converts light oscillations into electrical signals at speeds of up to gigahertz frequencies.
A new study reveals that disabled households in the European Union consume 10% less energy than other households while being 5% more likely to experience energy poverty. The research highlights the need for greater consideration of disabled people's needs in planning for sustainable energy policies.
A case report highlights the limitations of remote monitoring in detecting premature battery depletion in recalled pacemakers, leading to urgent device replacement. The cases emphasize the importance of closer monitoring and prophylactic generator changes in patients with high-risk devices.
A new study found that reducing vehicle emissions since 2008 has resulted in a significant drop in deaths due to air pollution, with estimated social benefits of $270 billion in the US. Passenger light-duty vehicles, such as SUVs and pickup trucks, continue to contribute a substantial amount of air pollution in major metropolitan areas.
Researchers identified the CIROP gene, crucial for establishing proper left-right asymmetry during embryonic development, which is linked to congenital heart defects and misplacement of internal organs. The study provides insights into the development of left-right patterning and has implications for research on potential therapies.
Researchers at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago developed a simple diagnostic model that accurately predicts pneumonia risk, eliminating x-ray confirmation for low-risk patients. The model, based on age, fever duration, and breath sounds, may facilitate broader implementation in primary care settings.
Guinea baboons developed common rules for a device task in just three days, demonstrating efficient and arbitrary solutions. The conventions were stable over time and unaffected by the absence of individual interaction.
Researchers predict existence of split photons, a new phase of light that behaves like a coin with two distinct halves. The finding advances fundamental understanding of light and its behavior, challenging long-held beliefs.
A team of astronomers used a 3D simulation to study dust motion and growth in a protoplanetary disk around a young star. They found that large dust particles can be entrained by gas outflows and eventually fall back onto the outer regions of the disk, enabling planetesimal formation.
A Northwestern University study found that live personalized music therapy improved patients' emotional states, reduced their stress and anxiety, and provided a pleasurable experience. The 'tele-music' intervention also empowered patients and their families, easing medical procedures and increasing patient satisfaction.
A new guideline outlines 13 recommendations to address health inequities exacerbated by COVID-19, including addressing racism and poverty. Implementing these policy changes can help reduce the burden of COVID-19 on marginalized communities.
Academics and professional staff who responded to emails out of hours were more likely to experience burnout, psychological distress, and poor physical health. Researchers found that workers who kept their work boundaries in check experienced less stress and pressure.
A research team at Aarhus University has developed an RNA aptamer that attaches to the surface of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, preventing it from entering human cells. This molecule is cheaper and easier to manufacture than current antibodies, making it a promising tool for detecting covid-19 infection.
A new study published in AIDS Patient Care and STDs found that people living with HIV were less likely to die from COVID-19 during the early months of the pandemic. However, a longer study period revealed higher levels of hospitalization and mortality among HIV patients compared to those without the virus.
A study published in Aging and Cancer found that most cancer-free individuals over 60 carry at least 100 billion cells harboring oncogenic mutations. Researchers hope to understand how these mutations interact with the tissue environment to determine cancer risk, and how they differ between tissue types.
Cancer cells secrete type III collagen to stay dormant, and when levels decrease, they wake up and create metastatic cancer. Researchers found that enriching the environment with collagen can force cells to remain in a dormant state and prevent tumor recurrence.
The program aims to build confidence in teachers to present cybersecurity in the classroom and create opportunities for peer sharing. Teachers participating in the cohort will receive a $1,000 stipend and complete various workshops and surveys.
NASA will launch four Earth science missions in 2022, including TROPICS, EMIT, and JPSS, to enhance climate system understanding and storm forecasting. These missions will provide high-quality data on tropical cyclones, mineral dust, and ocean surface temperatures.
The study reveals that ancient metal items were sourced from various Mediterranean locations, including Iberian and eastern Alpine regions. This discovery provides insight into the coastal mobility and cultural interactions between indigenous communities in France and the broader Western Mediterranean basin.
A new database has been launched to systematically record findings on perovskite semiconductors, featuring over 42,000 individual data sets and analysis tools for interactive exploration. The FAIR principles guide the preparation of the data, enabling easy searching with modern algorithms and artificial intelligence.
The University of Central Florida researchers have developed an alcohol-based power source for cars and other technology that uses less fuel and produces fewer emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels. The ethanol fuel cell has achieved a maximum power density and operation time of over 5,900 hours, making it a promising alternat...
A team of researchers has identified a taste receptor sensitive to acidity in fruit flies, which is also present in humans. The discovery suggests that sensing acids must be crucial for survival and provides insight into the mechanisms underlying sour taste.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen studied how blocking certain enzymes affects brain adaptability in healthy and diseased mice. In healthy mice, inhibiting these enzymes blocked neuronal plasticity, while in stroke-affected mice, it restored lost plasticity.
A study published in PNAS found that individuals with severe schizophrenia have a higher number of rare mutations than those with typical forms of the illness. This discovery could lead to more precise treatments for this chronic disease, which affects over 3 million Americans.
Scientists at Kumamoto University have developed a novel peptide vaccine that improves obesity-related dyslipidemia and may be cost-effective. The vaccine targets angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) and has been shown to reduce dyslipidemia in mice, producing antibodies that last for six months.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have developed mathematical equations explaining how individual randomness can give rise to synchronisation, applicable to systems like clocks, fireflies and metronomes. The findings provide a basis for new types of computer technology using light signals.
A new evidence review by Oregon Health & Science University researchers found that the expensive multiple sclerosis drug Acthar provides very little clinical benefit compared to less-expensive alternatives. The study screened 41 studies and found weak or no benefit from Acthar against standard medications like corticosteroids.
Children with congenital zika syndrome exhibit different neurological development profiles, with varying abilities to respond to stimuli. Larger head circumference is associated with higher cognitive and motor scores, according to the study published in PLOS ONE.
New research suggests that cannabis use can lead to harmful drug-drug interactions by interfering with two families of enzymes that metabolize a wide range of drugs. This could result in unintended side effects such as toxicity or accidental overdose, particularly for older individuals using medications.
A Chicago study found that providing individual hotel rooms and medical support to high-risk homeless individuals reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection rates by 75% compared to citywide rates in shelters. The intervention also led to improvements in health measures such as blood pressure and glycemic control, with over half of participants movi...
A study by The BMJ found that aerospace engineers and neurosurgeons have similar intelligence to those in the general population. However, they showed better mental manipulation abilities and faster problem-solving skills than the general population in certain domains.
Researchers have discovered an ancient category of MHC molecules, MHC-W, which represent a missing link for explaining how class I molecules evolved from a class II-like origin. This finding resolves a long-standing puzzle in immunogenetics.
A meta-analysis of trials on digital interventions for depression found that computer- and smartphone-based treatments are effective but require human support to achieve outcomes similar to face-to-face therapy. The study also highlights the potential role of AI and wearable devices in preventing mental illness.
The QUENCH network aims to discover how the quality of urban ecosystems affects nature-connectedness and health. Funded by £312,000 from NERC, UKRI, the project brings together experts in environmental science, health, psychology, social sciences, and more.
A new gene therapy called LentiGlobin has been shown to completely eliminate episodes of severe pain caused by sickle cell disease and restore blood cells to their normal shape. The treatment uses a patient's own stem cells and has the potential to give people with this disease their life back.
A new project funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture aims to reduce foodborne illnesses by developing novel spraying and dipping solutions for farming tools and accessories. The technology will also help minimize water usage in cleaning and sanitizing processes.
A Korean research team has developed a metasurface-based optical device that can store over 100 times more information than conventional rainbow hologram stickers. The device selectively displays images according to angle, color, and polarization, making it highly secure against counterfeiting.
Researchers found fecal transplants increase IL-25, reducing tissue inflammation and boosting immune system response to C. difficile infections. The transplants also promote beneficial microbial diversity, helping patients heal from life-threatening diarrhea.
A modelling study suggests COVID-19 certification increases vaccine uptake in countries with below-average vaccination coverage. In six countries, certification was linked to a significant uptick in anticipation of restrictions and continued increases after introduction.
A study found that a hip hop song about suicide prevention led to an increase in calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and a reduction in suicides. The researchers suggest that positive media stories can have a protective effect, particularly for hard-to-reach groups.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology identified Th1* cells as a key marker in the body's immune signature following BCG vaccination. The study found that these cells respond well to the vaccine and can help fight the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium that causes TB.
Researchers have developed a gel that improves the formation of arteriovenous fistulas, a vital connection site for kidney failure patients undergoing dialysis. The gel helps reduce intimal hyperplasia and vein narrowing, leading to better blood flow and increased success rates.
The international consensus statement provides critical recommendations for the cardiovascular management and follow-up of patients undergoing radiation therapy. The paper highlights the need to identify and address cardiovascular risk factors to prevent cardiotoxicity, emphasizing the importance of regular screening and treatment for ...
Researchers from UNIGE found that a single missing genetic switch can lead to clubfoot and other malformations by disrupting cellular activation. The study highlights the crucial role of genetic switches in developmental disorders, suggesting that flaws in these mechanisms may be responsible for numerous malformations.
Researchers at HHU reconstructed LUCA's metabolism and found almost all chemical steps used by primordial life are energy-releasing reactions. The team identified the long-sought source of energy as hydrogen gas, which releases energy from within metabolism itself.
A study by Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research found that juvenile Nathusius' pipistrelle bats are killed more frequently than adults at wind turbines, with females also being disproportionately affected. This highlights the need to implement schemes to mitigate wind turbine mortality and protect migratory bat populations.
Researchers from Rice University and the University of Wyoming discovered self-organization into circular aggregates in Myxococcus xanthus, a model system for social cooperation. The circular behavior is linked to TraAB protein overexpression, which creates a sticky bond between cells, preventing reversals.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed an algorithm that learns optimal energy usage for electric delivery-vehicles. By focusing on overall energy usage instead of just distance travelled, the vehicles can reduce their energy consumption by up to 20% and minimize battery usage.