A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine found that SARS-CoV-2 can directly infect brain cells, leading to devastating consequences such as localized ischemia and cell death. The researchers also discovered that the virus's ability to invade the central nervous system may be related to its neurological symptoms.
Researchers from Russia, China, and the US have synthesized a new superconducting compound, BaH12, with an unusually high hydrogen content. The compound exhibits room-temperature superconductivity due to its molecular structure, marking significant progress in understanding potential room-temperature superconductors.
The study found new biomarkers related to changes in protein function involved in novel regulatory mechanisms of metabolic and immunological pathways in blue mussels, soft-shell clams, Eastern oysters, and Atlantic jackknife clams. Biomarker identification will benefit the aquaculture industry.
A recent survey found that 30% of Black adults and 13% of Hispanic adults experienced health care discrimination due to race or ethnicity. Adults with a consistent primary care physician reported less medical mistrust, highlighting the need for addressing systemic bias in the medical system.
Astronomers have observed a luminous quasar 13.03 billion light-years from Earth, providing insight into the formation of massive galaxies in the early universe. The quasar hosts a supermassive black hole equivalent to 1.6 billion suns and shows evidence of an outflowing wind, challenging current models of black hole formation.
Researchers at Kanazawa University have made significant discoveries about the mechanisms behind brain column formation. They found that planar cell polarity (PCP) and Wnt signaling pathways play key roles in creating these three-dimensional structures, which are essential for proper brain development.
A large population-based family study found that individuals with an affected first-degree relative have a threefold higher risk of chronic kidney disease. Genetic factors play an important role in modulating susceptibility to kidney disease.
A study by Texas A&M University researchers investigated the role of metabolites in melanoma growth and spread. The team found significant differences in metabolite amounts between primary melanoma and surrounding tissues, suggesting that these substances may be responsible for tumor initiation and maintenance.
A study from Boston Medical Center found that using indicative language when recommending HPV vaccination boosts vaccine acceptance and conversation efficiency while preserving patient satisfaction. This approach resulted in a nine-fold increase in vaccine acceptance and shorter vaccine discussions compared to elective styles.
The study proposes three strategies to develop higher-level and unique human capital: identifying the right set of skills, promoting a training culture that enables employees to update competencies, and involving people in work-related decisions. This approach helps organizations adapt to change and stay ahead of competitors.
The study examines the spatial distribution of planktonic ciliates in the western Pacific Ocean, focusing on a transect from Shenzhen to Pohnpei. Ciliate abundance is positively correlated with phosphate and pico-sized pigmented eukaryotes, while biomass is related to heterotrophic nanoflagellates and chlorophytes.
A team of researchers determined the atomic structure of a coronavirus protein thought to aid in evading human immune cells. The structural map enabled investigations into how SARS-CoV-2 ravages the human body and laid groundwork for targeted antiviral treatments.
A study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B reveals how flowers with two distinct sets of anthers gradually present their pollen to bees over multiple visits. This 'pollen dosing' strategy allows flowers to limit the amount of pollen a bee can remove, maximizing pollination efficiency.
Researchers at DiosCURE developed lead candidates DIOS-202 and DIOS-203 with high potency and resistance to escape mutants. These multivalent single-chain antibodies target two distinct epitopes of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, rendering virions non-infectious.
A multidisciplinary team of experts calls for medical institutions to support and promote the safe return to work for all health care workers disabled from lingering COVID-19 symptoms. Current national guidelines focus on infection status, leaving institutions to establish their own policies or for employees to opt for medical leave.
A new study found that fences in the Western US region pose a significant barrier to migratory wildlife, with mule deer and pronghorn antelope encountering over 200 fence encounters per year. The study highlights the need for more 'wildlife-friendly' fences and encourages prioritizing fence modifications or removals.
After simplifying full Medicaid enrollment under the ACA standards, North Carolina saw a doubling of low-income women qualifying for full Medicaid during pregnancy. The state's changes led to a decrease in Medicaid enrollment for Pregnant Women program, highlighting the importance of streamlined access to crucial health services.
Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new technology that allows researchers to study muscle biology on a detailed level. The study found that fast and slow twitch muscle fibers respond differently to exercise training, with hundreds of proteins expressed uniquely in each type. This discovery has implications for ...
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a modeling framework to estimate soil erosion in the Drummer Creek watershed. The study found that even partial changes in tilling practices can have significant results, with vulnerable areas seeing a near-70% reduction in soil loss and sediment yield.
A study published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition reveals the role of pyridinic nitrogen in optimizing oxygen reduction reactions in PEM fuel cells. Nitrogen-doped carbon catalysts were found to have improved performance, paving the way for more sustainable transportation technologies.
The most distant quasar known has been discovered, powered by the earliest known supermassive black hole weighing over 1.6 billion times the mass of the Sun. This fully formed distant quasar is also the earliest yet discovered, providing insight into massive galaxy formation in the early Universe.
Researchers from SUTD developed a correlation-robust model of influence maximization, which assumes hidden correlations in influencers' behavior are detrimental to the company's interest. This model has computational benefits over traditional independent cascade models and can be used by practitioners to enhance network robustness.
Researchers associate the enzyme LMWPTP with chemotherapy resistance, metastasis, and autoimmune diseases. Inhibiting this protein phosphatase could lead to novel monitoring and treatment opportunities for cancer and other diseases.
A study published in Nature Communications found that wildfire smoke is more cooling than current models assume. The research team used observations from around the world and compared them to climate model results, revealing a significant difference.
Scientists at USTC created a new type of catalyst by etching Pd-Pt nanocubes, resulting in higher surface area and active sites. The new tesseracts framework structure showed improved atomic utilization and stability, achieving mass activities 11.6 times that of commercial Pt/C catalysts.
A new study found that as ocean temperatures rise, baby sharks are born smaller, exhausted, and undernourished, facing difficult environments for survival. The research suggests the future of these species will be threatened by warming waters.
The study found a significant increase in neonatal abstinence syndrome and maternal opioid-related diagnoses in the US from 2009 to 2018. The rates varied by state, with the highest increases observed in the Northeast region.
Astronomers have discovered the most distant quasar yet found, J0313-1806, which is 13 billion light-years away and powered by a supermassive black hole. The discovery provides valuable insights into how massive galaxies and their supermassive black holes formed in the early Universe.
Researchers have found that physical specimens of suspected wildlife hosts were rarely preserved, limiting our ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors recommend adopting vouchering practices and collaborating with museums to archive host specimens.
A new study from King's College London finds that nearly half of ICU staff are likely to meet the threshold for PTSD, severe anxiety, or problem drinking. The researchers found poor mental health was common among ICU clinicians, particularly nurses, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers at Nagoya Institute of Technology have developed a new non-destructive method to measure carrier lifetime in SiC, allowing for the study and adoption of SiC in ultrahigh-voltage applications. This technique enables the measurement of carrier lifetimes within thick voltage blocking layers without destroying the sample.
Researchers have found that halide perovskite nanocrystals exhibit extraordinary energy transport properties, allowing them to travel longer distances than conventional nanostructures. This discovery has significant implications for the development of high-efficiency solar cells and light-emitting devices.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have found that reprogramming the connective tissue microenvironment of a liver cancer can inhibit its progression and resistance to chemotherapy. Blocking placental growth factor (PlGF) with antibodies reduces production of connective tissue and increases survival in mice with liver cancer.
A study found that crowdsourced dermatological diagnoses on Twitter were as accurate as traditional teledermatology methods, with expert consensus agreeing 60% of the time. However, consultation with a specialist may still be necessary due to security concerns and patient privacy issues.
Researchers have analyzed the leaf vasculature of Arabidopsis thaliana using single cell sequencing, revealing distinct identities of phloem cells and their metabolic pathways. The study also identified specific transporters responsible for sugar and amino acid transport from leaves to roots and seeds.
Researchers studied severe thunderstorms and lightning activity in Beijing, finding that squall lines and multi-cell thunderstorms are the main types of lightning disaster weather systems. They also discovered a strong relationship between lightning frequency and model parameters, which can be used to improve forecast accuracy.
A highly sensitive wearable sensor can detect early COVID-19 symptoms and monitor heart disease by detecting subtle cardiac and respiratory movements. The device, made of skin-safe material, is small enough to be attached directly to the patient's body.
Researchers have developed a new principle for next-generation semiconductor memory development, utilizing nanomagnetism to control data storage. The technology reduces power consumption by up to 60% compared to conventional spin devices.
New research found that baby sharks are born smaller, more exhausted, and undernourished when exposed to warmer ocean temperatures. The study, conducted by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, suggests that this could lead to a decline in their ability to survive in environments already challenging for them.
Smokeless tobacco products pose significant health risks due to high nicotine and cancer-causing chemicals. Researchers call for stricter regulations to reduce illicit trading and ensure proper health warnings.
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine suggests that lactating women discuss the risks and benefits of COVID-19 vaccination with their healthcare provider. The ABM statement is based on biological plausibility and expert opinion, considering there are no clinical data on vaccine safety in nursing mothers.
A recent study published in Journal of Pediatric Nursing found that adopting a cat can increase empathy and decrease separation anxiety in children with autism. The study monitored families with children aged 6-14 who adopted a calm and well-matched cat, reporting an instant bond between the child and their new pet.
A new laser-based process allows for the 3D printing of intricate glass parts with high precision and resolution. The technique uses multiphoton polymerization, which enables the creation of complex shapes without layer-by-layer buildup.
A Simon Fraser University study examines how different types of PPE impact public perception of police. Most PPE, including surgical masks, N95 masks, and face shields, enhances perceptions of officer accountability and professionalism.
A new model suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may become a common cold-causing virus, leading to reduced fatality rates and increased herd immunity. The model predicts that the infection fatality ratio will fall below that of seasonal influenza once an endemic steady-state is reached.
New research identifies a risk of collusive pricing behavior when AI algorithms set prices without observing competitor prices. This can lead to monopolistic price effects and supracompetitive market outcomes. The study suggests that independent AI algorithms can result in these negative consequences.
The Endocrine Society recommends government negotiation, greater transparency, and policy changes to reduce insulin costs. These policies aim to increase access to affordable insulin, particularly for low-income individuals and Medicare beneficiaries.
Researchers studied the primary health care systems in three Asian cities to identify features that can help other cities prepare for future infectious disease outbreaks. Primary care played a key role in keeping COVID-19 cases and deaths relatively low, highlighting its importance in addressing future health crises.
New small antibodies, called nanobodies, have been developed to prevent the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus from entering human cells. The research found that a combined nanobody had exceptional effectiveness in blocking the virus' ability to spread between human cells.
Excessive fertilizer use is costing US corn farmers billions of dollars every year, with one-third of applied fertilizer compensating for ongoing soil fertility loss. The true cost of fertilizer use goes beyond economic costs, also impacting the environment and freshwater ecosystems.
Researchers have discovered turbulent-like dynamics in the human brain using fMRI, suggesting a new way to analyze and model whole-brain dynamics. This finding could lead to improved mental health treatments for neuropsychiatric diseases.
A new humanized mouse model has revealed a central role for mast cells in immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance in melanoma. The study found that depleting mast cells improves treatment responses to anti-PD-1 therapy, suggesting a potential new approach for treating this type of cancer.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found a significant inverse association between physical activity and the occurrence of cardiovascular disease, with participants in highest quartiles showing substantial risk reduction. The study used data from 90,211 UK Biobank participants and found no threshold for this association.
Researchers designed an open-faced helmet with air filtration to contain cough droplets, minimizing disease transmission. The design reduced the risk of infection by 99.6% within 0.1 seconds.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute identified MDA-5 as the primary sensor in human lungs that detects SARS-CoV-2. The protein recognizes replicating viruses and activates interferon, a key player in the body's defense against viral invasion.
Artificial intelligence can learn new visual concepts faster using a technique that mirrors human visual learning, improving its ability to quickly recognize objects from sparse data. The approach enables computers to leverage prior learning and simplify complex visual concept representations, leading to improved learning efficiency.
A recent publication in Current Developments in Nutrition shares the historical and regulatory context of medical foods and perspectives on their role in the future. The Healthcare Nutrition Council's Medical Foods Workshop highlighted key considerations for patient access and product innovation, driving consensus on terms and definiti...
Researchers at UMBC developed an AI technique to quickly analyze extensive Arctic ice data, enabling faster prediction of climate change trends. This tool allows scientists to make more accurate predictions on sea level rise and melting rates.
Researchers have discovered a promising material for sodium-ion batteries, offering enhanced electrochemical performance and reduced capacity loss. The study provides new insights into the sodium storage behavior of electron-rich element-doped amorphous carbon, paving the way for large-scale sodium-ion battery development.
A new study measures curiosity styles using Wikipedia browsing, finding 'hunter' and 'busybody' archetypes with distinct network structures. The study also explores the drivers of these changes and links them to well-being indicators.