Researchers have developed a new material, alpha-SnWO4, that could convert up to 20% of sunlight into chemical energy for hydrogen production. Thin layers of nickel oxide were found to reduce the photovoltage and degrade the material, but alternative deposition processes may improve performance.
Researchers highlight the importance of chest CT imaging in diagnosing COVID-19, with specific attention to pulmonary CT findings across various disease stages. The study provides a valuable reference for clinicians and radiologists seeking to accurately diagnose COVID-19 using CT scans.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism highlights the need to address health disparities in diabetes by examining systemic racism and its impact on social conditions. The authors recommend implementing culturally and linguistically appropriate services, unconscious bias training, and value divers...
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have created a new tungsten-substituted vanadium oxide catalyst that works efficiently at 100-150 degrees Celsius, even in wet conditions. The material's superior performance makes it ideal for processing real industrial exhaust and contributing to cleaner air.
A recent UC study found that drugged driving is outpacing drunk driving in the US, with 4.49% of adults reporting marijuana use while driving compared to 8.52% for alcohol. The study also reveals higher rates among sexual minorities, African Americans, and males.
Northern Arizona University will test Allarity drug stenoparib against the highly infectious Coronavirus Variant B117, a variant found in the UK and US that spreads more easily than other variants. The testing aims to validate the antiviral activity of stenoparib against this variant.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered a new compound called BC1618 that blocks Fbxo48 and increases Ampk function, improving insulin responses in obese mice. The findings build on previous research to understand protein degradation and may lead to the development of a new class of diabetes drugs.
A new study suggests that daily commuting patterns may explain the disproportionately high Covid-19 infection rates observed in Black Americans. The research found that increased exposure to other ethnic groups through commuting can result in an 'infection gap' in the population.
A new study reveals that specific enzymes outside medium spiny neurons contribute to addiction plasticity, driving drug-seeking and extinction behaviors. The discovery highlights the importance of extracellular matrix remodeling in addiction and suggests novel molecules as potential targets for treatment.
The National Science Foundation has awarded Lehigh University a $5.3 million grant to renew the NHERI Experimental Facility for another five years. The facility will provide unique experimental resources and data management for studying the effects of natural hazards on civil infrastructure, enabling researchers to develop transformati...
Researchers at Texas A&M University developed a deep-learning algorithm that can denoise images to reveal otherwise invisible details. The algorithm, called global voxel transformer networks (GVTNets), uses adaptive receptive fields to capture information in the overall image structure.
Hypertension symptoms in women are frequently misattributed to menopause, increasing their risk of heart disease and stroke. Middle-aged women with a history of pregnancy complications or early menopause are particularly at risk.
The Critically Endangered shorttail nurse shark has been found in Mozambique, expanding its range southward from Tanzania and westward from Madagascar. The species benefits from some degree of protection within large coastal marine protected areas but is under threat due to overexploitation by coastal fisheries.
A new computational method has been developed to analyze genetic and environmental interactions influencing disease risk, including body mass index and diabetes. The study found that prioritizing a smaller number of genetic variants in the genome improves analysis efficiency.
KIT researchers have developed biodegradable printed displays using natural materials and industrially relevant production methods. These displays are compostable and can be reused or recycled, reducing electronic waste and environmental impacts.
Researchers found that gifted dogs can rapidly learn novel words in social contexts but not in exclusion-based tasks. The study tested two exceptional dogs, Whisky and Vicky Nina, who learned new words after hearing them just four times.
A new study found that anonymous cell phone data can quantify behavioral changes for flu-like illnesses, while protecting user anonymity. The research linked passively-collected cell phone metadata with actual public health data, providing a potential tool to monitor and control infectious disease outbreaks.
Researchers from Far Eastern Federal University and international partners developed ceramic phosphors that can be applied in-ground and aerospace technologies. The new materials produce compact energy-efficient white light-emitting diodes (wLEDs) and high-power systems, with reduced operating temperatures.
Researchers found improved estuarine water quality in the Choptank River, with increased dissolved oxygen, clearer waters, and reduced algae blooms. Local actions, such as upgrades to wastewater treatment plants, contributed to these gains, while agricultural inputs appeared limited.
A recent study published in Nature Communications assesses the effectiveness of a Spanish digital contact tracing app in controlling Covid-19 spread. The app detected approximately 6.3 close contacts per infected individual, twice the national average, with over 30% of the population adopting the technology.
A new study found that messages presenting e-cigarettes as a lower risk alternative to smoking can encourage about a third of smokers to try them. Meanwhile, messages highlighting the increased health risks of vaping strongly discourage non-smokers from taking up the habit.
Researchers have discovered that two anti-viral enzymes, APOBEC3C and ADAR1, fuel the transition from pre-cancer stem cells to leukemia stem cells. Inhibiting these enzymes with existing medications may help prevent cancer, including leukemia.
A study found that specific Facebook activities, such as posting pictures, commenting, and customizing profiles, are more important to older adults' user experience and well-being than their overall use of the site. These activities enhance feelings of competence, relatedness, and autonomy, leading to higher levels of well-being.
New research by Durham University reveals that young children rely heavily on auditory cues to detect emotions, rather than visual stimuli. The findings have implications for parents and educators managing home learning and may also shed light on emotional recognition in children with developmental challenges like autism.
A mouse study found that gabapentin can prevent harmful structural changes in the injured spinal cords of mice, block cardiovascular changes and immune suppression. This could lead to improved quality of life for individuals living with spinal cord injuries.
Researchers used XSEDE Stampede2 supercomputer to simulate polarized elongation of actin filaments, shedding light on their polymerization kinetics. The study's findings have potential applications in cancer treatment and development of self-healing materials.
Engineers at MIT and Imperial College London created living materials by combining bacteria and yeast to produce cellulose embedded with enzymes that can perform various functions. These materials have potential applications in microbial fuel cells, sense and respond systems, and self-repairing materials for the US Army.
Researchers at University of Missouri developed genetically modified mosquitoes resistant to Zika virus using CRISPR gene-editing technology. These 'suicide mosquitos' cannot transmit the disease and can interrupt the disease cycle, making them a potential solution for controlling the spread of Zika virus.
Domoic acid exposure increases southern sea otters' risk of fatal heart disease by 1.7-fold, with prime-age adults particularly vulnerable. Climate change projections indicate rising toxic blooms and domoic acid levels, posing a long-term threat to the species.
A pilot study published in Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids found that patients with higher omega-3 blood levels had a lower risk of death from COVID-19. The study showed that those in the highest quartile of omega-3 index were 75% less likely to die compared to those in lower quartiles.
Researchers at Lund University challenge a 50-year-old theory by discovering new decay branches in flerovium nuclei. Their experiment showed that the predicted 'magical' properties of element 114 do not exist.
Researchers developed a machine learning tool to analyze brain scans and identify risk for earlier diagnosis and treatment. The tool accurately identified individuals with schizotypal personality traits at high risk of developing schizophrenia.
A new study found that exposure to antibiotics within the first 14 days of life is associated with reduced weight and height in boys up to age six. However, antibiotic use after neonatal period leads to higher body mass index (BMI) in both boys and girls during childhood.
A new study on sourdough starters from around the world found that geography doesn't play a significant role in shaping their microbial ecosystems. Instead, variables like starter age, feeding frequency and storage conditions have smaller effects that add up to make a big difference.
Researchers have made the first direct measurements of the electronic band and gap of solid hydrogen up to 90 GPa using inelastic X-ray scattering. The study found that the electronic band gap decreased linearly from 10.9 eV to 6.57 eV as pressure increased, with a densification factor of 8.6.
Research reveals captive Asian elephants carry less body fat than average humans, with females averaging 2-25% body fat and males carrying slightly less. The study suggests that activity levels may be key to maintaining elephant health, contradicting traditional notions of obesity.
A 10% increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit led to a 9% decrease in annual reports of child neglect made to child welfare agencies. The study highlights the importance of social policies on health and suggests that violence prevention can be an added benefit.
Researchers at the Buck Institute have discovered a compound that slows bone loss in aging mice by up to 31% over the course of a year's treatment. The study provides a treasure trove of data for those studying aging and age-related diseases, including serially profiled individual mice as they aged while testing several therapeutics.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a trifunctional contraceptive gel that enhances male libido and prevents pregnancy in 100% of cases. The gel combines spermicidal, anti-viral, and libido-enhancing agents, demonstrating improved safety and quality of sexual intercourse.
Researchers developed low-cost, mass-producible metamaterial tiles to absorb environmental emissions and improve telescope sensitivity. The tiles enabled unprecedented sensitivity in measuring the cosmic microwave background, transforming our understanding of the universe's beginning and evolution.
Researchers found that toddlers with high daily touchscreen use are quicker to look at objects when they appear and less able to resist distraction. The study suggests a potential link between increased screen time and difficulties with attention in young children.
Researchers found that commitments at UN level were rarely translated into national law, leading to implementation gaps and insufficient monitoring. The authors suggest strengthening financial resources, introducing new instruments, and establishing a mechanism to verify compliance with biodiversity targets.
A randomized controlled field experiment in Uganda found that volunteer marketers helped entrepreneurs increase sales by 52%, profits by 36%, assets by 31%, and employees by 24%. Marketing expertise enables firms to differentiate and attract customer interest, leading to improved growth rates and societal impact.
A survey of Chinese school-age children and adolescents revealed a significant increase in self-reported psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Risk factors associated with psychological distress were also identified, including social isolation and parental concerns about child safety.
The KIT real-world lab 'Robotic Artificial Intelligence' will develop concrete practical applications of robotic AI with civil society and study opportunities as well as risks. Humanoid robots will be used in various scenarios, such as hospitals, schools, and libraries.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory created an anatomical map of corn development by analyzing individual cells. This map will aid in breeding more sustainable crops with improved yields.
Researchers developed a 5G indoor DAS technology that can receive millimeter wave-based broadband signals and transmit them into buildings. The technology significantly improves transmission capacity, equipment size, and deployment cost compared to conventional systems.
This study by Guangfa Zhong and Xiaotong Peng presents novel findings on the distribution patterns and dispersion mechanisms of deep-sea plastic waste in a submarined canyon. Plastic litter items are highly heterogeneously distributed, with most occurring in longitudinal litter piles.
The UMass team developed a novel biomaterial, demineralized bone paper, that mimics the dense structural matrix of bone. This material supports cellular processes and can be used to model bone remodeling and disease progression.
A study predicts that different species of coral reef fishes will respond variably to climate change, with some exhibiting rapid responses and others being more vulnerable. The research identified seven parameters that may serve as biomarkers for evaluating the impact of elevated temperatures on these fish.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study profiles immune cells called T lymphocytes that fight COVID-19, identifying specific proteins recognized by these cells. The findings may help guide the development of next-generation vaccines.
A study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that women with serious pregnancy complications are twice as likely to die after childbirth. The research team identified cardiac complications, acute renal failure, and strokes as the main causes of mortality after 42 days.
A new study published in Science of the Total Environment reveals mangroves are significantly impacted by plastic pollution from rivers, with 54% of habitats within 20km of a polluting river. River deltas receive 52% of plastic pollution, while rocky shores receive only 6%
The National Institutes of Health has awarded Wayne State University a total of $5.59 million to support research into preventing and treating cerebral palsy. Dr. Sidhartha Tan's projects aim to develop new drugs targeting neuronal nitric oxide synthase and explore the role of tetrahydrobiopterin in brain injury.
A new study from Japan's National Institute of Polar Research has improved regional climate models using in-situ weather data collected over the Chukchi Sea. The research team found discrepancies between models in capturing cloud microphysics and sea surface energy budgets, highlighting the need for model improvement.
Extracellular vesicles, secreted by the cells lining the airways, carry iron bound to transferrin and supply bacterial cells with essential nutrients, promoting bacterial growth. This mechanism allows bacteria to exploit the host's defense system against pathogens.
Researchers from UConn and LSU found that insect declines in Puerto Rico may not be directly caused by global warming, but rather by increased hurricane frequency and intensity. Long-term data helped disentangle the effects of climate change and storm impacts on ecosystems.
Researchers found that air purifiers in elevators can increase saliva droplet dispersal and spread COVID-19. Installing an air purifier alters airflow significantly but does not eliminate airborne transmission.
Researchers at Concordia University discover that melatonin reduces cysts in the renal tubules of fruit flies, a finding that may improve treatments for polycystic kidney disease. The study builds on previous work and suggests a targeted approach to treating this genetic chronic disease.
A new analysis of nearly two decades of satellite data shows that economic development, fossil-fuel combustion, and air quality are closely linked on a continental and national scale. However, under favorable policies, these factors can be decoupled.