Researchers surveyed over 1.5 million adults across Europe and the US to examine potential links between childhood lead exposure and adult personality traits. The study found that those with higher childhood lead levels were less agreeable and more neurotic, while those from areas with cleaner air were more conscientious.
A new study found that emotions and cultural importance of large carnivores are stronger predictors of local community acceptance than livestock depredation. The Maasai pastoralists in Tanzania favour no action towards the carnivores, rejecting relocation and lethal control.
A longitudinal study of infants found substantial microbial changes in the intestines months before celiac disease onset. The study's findings suggest that these preclinical alterations could inform novel strategies for diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease through microbiome manipulation.
The study highlights three key themes in transitional care research: delineating function versus form of interventions, evaluating implementation processes, and engaging stakeholders. These findings aim to improve decision-making and patient-centered outcomes, despite challenges in comparing results between studies.
Karen Akerlof's NSF-funded project aims to address equity concerns in co-production of knowledge with University of Alaska Fairbanks. The study employs Q methodology techniques to identify common discourses among US regional climate science center scientists and stakeholders.
Researchers have created an AI-powered method to automate the identification of promising lunar landing and exploration areas. The technique uses machine learning and deep learning frameworks to accurately detect craters and rilles with precision rates as high as 83.7%, outperforming existing state-of-the-art methods.
Dr. Anthony Shum, MD, receives $80,000 from the ATS Research Program and chILD Foundation for his project on defining childhood ILD in COPA syndrome. The study aims to link the innate immune adapter molecule STING to disease.
The Fengyun Meteorological Satellite program offers over 30 years of free data to support global research on extreme weather events and atmospheric changes. International collaborations are growing as the data capabilities expand.
Researchers suggest that volcanic eruptions comparable to Krakatau on Earth could be responsible for the presence of phosphine in Venus' atmosphere. The study models calculate that small amounts of phosphides from deep mantle sources could react with sulfuric acid to form phosphine.
The SCAIFIELD project aims to develop measuring protocols and procedures for maximizing the use of existing MRI technology. This will enable finer details of the human brain to be visualized, leading to better detection of pathological changes in neurodegenerative diseases such as spinocerebellar ataxias.
Researchers have produced detailed molecular blueprints of the bacterial enzyme Lit, which may enable bacteria to evade the immune response and contribute to antibiotic resistance. The study's findings could lead to the development of new antibiotics targeting this enzyme.
Researchers at UC Riverside's Brain Injury Lab have received significant federal funding to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic epilepsy. Two graduate students, Laura Dovek and Susan Nguyen, have each won prestigious fellowships to study the role of immune receptors in the developme...
A new study published in Age and Ageing found that hypothetical adverse life scenarios, such as dementia and chronic pain, significantly reduce people's desire to live into older ages. The study analyzed data from Norway, where the average preferred life expectancy was 91.4 years.
A collection of articles shows community monitoring can provide information about resource conditions and counter overuse, but may require compensation to be effective. Training and incentivizing community members to patrol forests has been successful in some cases.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that a modular network organization is critical for persistent neural activity in the brain. The study revealed that each hemisphere makes its own copy of information and coordinates with the other hemisphere to ensure coherent information during working memory.
Scientists from Cornell University have found evidence of explosive volcanic activity on Venus, using phosphine gas as a geological signature. This discovery supports the idea that volcanism is responsible for phosphine's presence in the planet's upper atmosphere.
Researchers identified genetic markers to control fatty acid content in sunflower oil, a key source of vegetable fats. The study used genomic selection to create new crop varieties with tailored properties suitable for different uses.
A new study reveals that 25 megacities globally produce over half of the world's urban greenhouse gas emissions. Cities in developed countries like Europe, US, and Australia have significantly higher per capita emissions than those in developing areas. The majority of emissions come from stationary energy and transportation sectors.
A study by West Virginia University researchers found that LGBTQ+ people can benefit from faith communities, experiencing a sense of indescribable joy and relief from inclusion. However, the fear of rejection poses significant psychological stress, leading to 'minority stress' with detrimental effects on physical and mental health.
A new modelling toolkit predicts local COVID-19 impact with unprecedented accuracy, using local hospital data to inform healthcare demand and capacity planning. The Halogen toolkit is available for other local authorities to use, enhancing their ability to predict infection levels and guide public health decisions.
Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a new technique to alter plant metabolism, reducing harmful chemical compounds, including nicotine and carcinogenic N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN), while promoting beneficial traits like antioxidant-rich anthocyanins. The findings could be used to improve the health benefits of crops.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed a new type of reflective screen that offers optimal color display while using ambient light to keep energy consumption low. The new design allows for more accurate color reproduction and reduces eye strain compared to traditional digital screens.
Researchers identified a specialized protein called TRPM7 that regulates the key step in cancer metastasis by sensing fluid flow and stopping cells from entering the bloodstream. Artificially increasing TRPM7 expression in tumor cells may help stop intravasation and ultimately metastasis.
A new theoretical model can reliably predict the properties of compounds at low temperatures using only two adjustable parameters. The model reproduces experimental data for thirty different systems, including simple glasses and complex organic compounds.
Researchers discovered that colorectal cancer cells exploit an innate immune system activator to fuel their own growth and eliminate surrounding healthy cells. This feedback loop disrupts the balance of cell growth and differentiation, allowing tumors to expand and spread.
A global shortage of women in physics is being addressed by over 300 physicists from 50+ countries at the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics conference. Key findings include low female representation in physics education and research globally, but encouraging trends in some countries like Iran and the Netherlands.
A study by Texas A&M University suggests that current US laws do not align with the American public's preferences for using big data in public health. The public prefers big data to be used for common good over individual or self-serving interests.
Researchers mapped extreme snowmelt events across the US over 30 years, finding that unusually warm temperatures drive most cases. Machine learning revealed regional differences in moisture transport, with Pacific Northwest and northeastern US experiencing rain-driven extreme snowmelt.
A recent study published in Health Economics found that states with recreational marijuana laws experienced a short-term decline in opioid-related emergency department visits. This decline was most pronounced among 25- to 44-year-olds and men, suggesting that cannabis may be substituting for opioids as a pain relief measure.
A study by University of New South Wales found that 80% of asthma-related hospital presentations in Australia are potentially avoidable through a comprehensive care pathway. The study identified variations in care pathways, including inconsistent use of clinical guidelines and inadequate follow-up with GPs.
The UN Convention on Biological Diversity has released a detailed draft agreement for managing nature, proposing 21 action targets to reduce threats to biodiversity and preserve ecosystems. The framework aims to enhance ecosystem integrity, value nature's contributions to people, and share genetic resources fairly.
A study using San Francisco Bay models found that protective coastal structures can exacerbate flooding along other parts of the shoreline. The analysis estimated significant regional increases in economic damage, up to $723 million, under certain sea-level rise scenarios.
AI is transforming various aspects of life, such as road safety with EEG-based driver state estimation techniques and automatic image captioning for indexing large datasets. It also enhances surveillance tasks with cognitive memory-augmented networks, improving accuracy and reliability.
Researchers found a four-week training course improved special education teachers' ability to anticipate students' mathematical reasoning and adjust tasks for accessibility. The training emphasized neurodiversity and shifted from top-down approaches to anticipating student thinking.
A study of over 2,000 children in Barcelona found that living in urban areas with high levels of air pollution, noise, and traffic was associated with higher body mass index and a higher likelihood of being overweight or obese. The researchers proposed several mechanisms, including air pollution's potential to disrupt molecular mechani...
A systematic review of 68 studies found that men are more likely to exhibit bullying behaviors, while women are more likely to be victims, highlighting the need for improved interventions to address academic bullying in medical settings.
A research team has identified a naturally abundant venom peptide from ants that can initiate an immune response via a pseudo-allergic receptor MRGPRX2. The study reveals a novel pathway for this receptor, showing P17 induces infiltration of monocytes at the injected site by activating MRGPRX2.
Researchers have discovered a quantum phase transition in a quasi-2D system consisting purely of spins, which has significant implications for spintronics and quantum computing. The study reveals unexpected manifestations of quantum phase transitions in pure spin systems.
A new technique by Phasecraft reduces quantum hardware resources needed to simulate fermions like electrons, bringing material simulation closer to reality. The compact representation outperforms previous methods, improving memory use and algorithm size.
Researchers elucidated the mechanism by which a membrane remodeling protein, VIPP1, protects thylakoid membrane integrity. The study reveals that VIPP1 creates a basketlike structure with hydrophobic surfaces that bind to the membrane and remodel it.
A new study from USC Stem Cell scientists reveals striking similarities between sensory cells in the inner ear and Merkel cells in the skin. The research identifies a shared mechanism involved in gene regulation or epigenetics that enables differentiation into specialized hair cells and Merkel cells.
The American Academy of Neurology provides ethical guidance for neurologists caring for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. The position statement emphasizes the importance of respecting patient autonomy, involving families in care decisions, and addressing ethnic disparities in dementia diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers have successfully used nose drops containing genetically modified friendly bacteria to protect against meningitis, showing strong and long-lasting immune responses. The new method, which exploits the natural presence of non-pathogenic Neisseria lactamica in the nose, has potential applications beyond meningitis prevention.
A gene therapy trial has shown significant improvements in children with primary AADC deficiency, a devastating genetic disorder characterized by severe motor disability and developmental delay. The treatment targets neurons that produce dopamine, resulting in improved motor function, better mood, and longer sleep.
Researchers discovered that storks are attracted to the smell of freshly cut grass, using their sense of smell to locate food sources. This finding suggests that the sense of smell may play a greater role in other birds than previously thought, contradicting previous assumptions about bird behavior.
A study by University of Copenhagen researchers reveals that nanoparticles can target venules, not capillaries, to deliver drugs to the brain. The breakthrough allows for more efficient and safer therapeutic approaches to treat neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Hematopoietic stem cells use RNA from junk DNA to enhance activation after chemotherapy, leading to increased inflammatory signaling and faster blood cell production. This mechanism helps improve blood regeneration after chemotherapy.
Researchers have developed an anti-sperm monoclonal antibody that shows potent sperm agglutination and immobilization activity, making it a safe and effective method of birth control. The Human Contraception Antibody (HCA) is being tested in a Phase I Clinical Trial and could address current gaps in the contraception field.
A Danish student has solved the mathematical expression behind black hole image distortions, revealing a key factor of 500 times. The result provides new opportunities to test gravity and understanding of black holes, particularly in rotating cases.
Astronomers have discovered a rare binary star system, HD265435, which is spiralling towards a Type Ia supernova. The white dwarf companion will go supernova in around 70 million years, providing valuable insights into the expansion of the universe.
A study published in Cell found that a 10-week fermented-food diet increased gut microbiome diversity and decreased molecular signs of inflammation in healthy adults. The diet, which included foods like yogurt and kimchi, also showed stronger effects on immune cells and inflammatory proteins.
Researchers found that new direct airline routes can significantly increase the number of kidneys shared between regions, with a potential increase of over 7%. The study also showed that this increase in kidney sharing does not come with a decrease in kidney quality.
Research from Washington State University finds that layoffs and cost-cutting measures can affect employee morale for up to two years after the event, with investments in workers leading to lasting improvements in job attitudes. Employers can mitigate negative effects by prioritizing worker investments and company culture.
Scientists have discovered a species of algae with three sexes - male, female, and bisexual - which can breed in pairs, shedding new light on the evolutionary transition to self-compatible mating systems. This phenomenon is rare among living organisms, but researchers believe it may not be as uncommon as previously thought.
The Lucy spacecraft is carrying a time-capsule plaque featuring messages from prominent individuals to humanity's descendants. The plaque contains words of advice, wisdom, joy, and inspiration from Nobel Laureates, United States Poet Laureates, and other inspirational figures.
Researchers have engineered a new genetic circuit called Equalizers to buffer protein output from variations in gene dosage. This allows for consistent protein expression, crucial for studying proteins and understanding their functions. The innovation combines two types of gene dosage compensation circuits, improving overall performanc...
A study by the University of Nottingham found that managing medications at the end of life can be a significant 'work' task for families. The research highlights the need for healthcare professionals to provide tailored support and for simplifying Health and Social Care services to make them more navigable.
A recent study by Dr. Yael Bar-Zeev at Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that tobacco companies are exploiting loopholes to market IQOS products near toys, candy, and schools, targeting young consumers. The audit revealed that 70% of stores selling IQOS were within 300 meters of high schools.
A comprehensive study of Lepidoptera's transparent wings reveals multiple approaches to achieve transparency, including the absence of scales and varying scale densities. The research suggests that transparency acts as ultimate camouflage, making butterflies less visible to predators.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that police officers' tone of voice conveys less warmth, respect, and ease when speaking to Black male drivers during routine traffic stops. This subtle negativity contributes to a downward cycle of distrust between police and the Black community. The researchers suggest...