A team of astronomers and astrophysicists detected and localized a fast radio burst using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder, providing vital information on its origins. The detection was part of an international effort that improved understanding of fast radio bursts in distant galaxies.
A new Northwestern University study finds that trained paraprofessionals delivering cognitive-behavioral therapy can reduce depressive symptoms in pregnant women as effectively as mental health professionals. This approach may help address the growing need for treatment and alleviate the burden on overwhelmed healthcare providers.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a new material called cerium molybdate with high antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. The material exhibits improved antiviral properties compared to earlier works, and its potential applications include coatings for surfaces and everyday items.
Researchers identified a new drug that modulates a key enzyme to prevent amyloid plaque formation, reducing or eliminating problematic protein fragments. The novel compound showed safety and effectiveness in rodent and monkey studies, suggesting potential as a therapy for Alzheimer's disease.
A study of 1051 top-authors found women and the Global South are starkly underrepresented, with only 11% female authors and 25% from the Global South. The research highlights a need to promote scientific diversity and inclusion in leadership recruitment and career development.
Seizures of methamphetamine and marijuana rose significantly during the pandemic, with quantities of marijuana seized climbing by weight. Investigators found no significant shifts in other drug seizures, but provisional overdose deaths show a further rise through the first half of 2020.
Researchers at Purdue University have addressed an issue that was barring the development of quantum networks. By deploying a programmable switch, they can adjust how much data goes to each user by selecting and redirecting wavelengths of light carrying different data channels. This allows for the increase in users without adding to ph...
Researchers found sharp decreases in marijuana and methamphetamine seizures during the pandemic's early months, followed by significant increases as restrictions relaxed. The study suggests disruptions in drug supply chains may have contributed to these trends.
A recent collaborative study has shown that resveratrol's anti-inflammatory properties are mediated by the bitter receptor TAS2R50. The researchers found that this receptor type plays a role in reducing inflammatory markers released by gum cells when treated with surface antigens from bacteria.
A survey of birdwatchers found that only 9% purchase bird-friendly certified coffee and less than 40% are familiar with it. Shade-grown coffee can help conserve habitats for migrating and resident bird species, but increasing awareness is crucial to mobilizing the estimated 45 million U.S. bird enthusiasts.
Scientists from the Kleij group have created a new method for preparing biobased polyesters by transforming a terpene, β-elemene. The resulting polymer can be tailored through post-modification reactions to achieve desired properties.
Researchers surveyed over 900 coffee-drinking bird-watchers and found that only 9% purchased shade-grown coffee due to lack of awareness about its impact on bird habitats. Increased advertising, availability, and collaborations may help raise awareness about the benefits of bird-friendly coffee.
Scientists have created detailed maps of brain blood vessel clusters, revealing that small blood vessels compensate for varying energy requirements. The study provides novel insights into the distribution of oxygen and sugar to different brain regions, shedding light on how brains are kept nourished.
The Supertest study assesses the academic performance of engineering students in four countries, revealing notable differences in critical thinking skills. Russian students excel in mathematics and physics at the start of their studies, while Chinese students perform better overall. However, Chinese students' critical thinking skills d...
Scientists at the University of Queensland are using gene editing technologies to develop crops that can thrive in extreme and variable climate conditions. By integrating CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing into modern breeding programs, researchers aim to increase crop resilience and nutritional quality, ensuring global food security.
Researchers identified host DNA methylation patterns linked to antibiotic-persistent MRSA infections, highlighting potential for personalized treatment strategies. Methylation differences were more pronounced in immune cells, suggesting epigenetic markers for predicting infection outcome.
Advanced liver fibrosis worsens cancer-specific and overall survival in iCCA patients, regardless of surgical resection. Patients with advanced fibrosis are at increased risk of mortality across follow-up periods.
Researchers found evidence of oxygen-using enzymes in ancient bacteria and archaea, dating back 3 billion years before the Great Oxygenation Event. This suggests that life forms already utilized oxygen long before the main event, which allowed for the evolution of humans and other oxygen-breathing organisms.
Selective conifer breeding accelerates tree growth but may lead to genetic trade-offs with climate adaptation, posing challenges for future forests. The study identified genes associated with growth and cold tolerance, highlighting the need for careful breeding programs to maintain healthy forests in changing climates.
A recent MHRP study demonstrated that an experimental combination of a TLR7 agonist and broadly neutralizing antibodies delayed viral rebound after ART interruption by 2-fold. This approach may represent a potential strategy to target the HIV reservoir in infected individuals.
The Heidelberg geoinformation scientists developed a new analysis method to improve understanding of processes shaping the Earth's surface. The spatiotemporal segmentation approach can determine when and where surface alterations occur and which type of associated changes they represent.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences refutes the concept that a person's position within a network is crucial for information spread. Even with minimal advertising, the influence of individuals across the network becomes more equalized.
Moffitt researchers found that epithelial and mesenchymal subtypes of lung cancer cells respond differently to KRASG12C inhibitor therapy, with varying levels of sensitivity. The study suggests that targeting alternative signaling pathways, such as HER2 and FGFR1, may enhance treatment efficacy.
A recent study found that veterans who experienced traumatic adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and/or combat are more likely to think about suicide. Female veterans, in particular, appear vulnerable to suicidal thinking and may require enhanced support and evidence-based treatment.
A new tool helps managers balance benefits and drawbacks of wildlife tourism, considering factors like conservation, animal welfare, and ecosystem impacts. The framework reveals the wholistic acceptability of white shark cage-diving and identifies areas for improvement.
A research team from MedUni Vienna has confirmed a threshold value for a non-invasive imaging biomarker in breast cancer screening. This can be incorporated into short standard MRI scans to reduce biopsy rates by 30%. DWI, a special MRI technique, measures the motion of water molecules and can indicate whether a biopsy is necessary.
A single letter difference in a gene leads to sickle cell disease affecting 20 million worldwide, with varying life expectancy depending on social and environmental factors. A new review calls for integrative studies to better understand the disease globally and develop locally-appropriate interventions.
A team led by Dr. Brian Brown is developing a CAR T-cell therapy that specifically targets immune-suppressing macrophages in tumors, clearing the way for other T cells to destroy cancer cells. The grant aims to advance this promising approach and bring new hope to patients with solid tumor cancers.
Scientists at KAUST create an efficient catalyst that converts CO2 and hydrogen into methane using photothermal energy, reducing the need for external heat sources. The reaction achieves nearly 100% selectivity and impressive efficiency, offering a sustainable way to convert harmful greenhouse gases into valuable fuel.
Researchers will investigate how oral cancer releases mediators that sensitize and activate pain-sensing nerves, promoting cancer growth and pain. The goal is to develop novel approaches for treating oral cancer and pain.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a theoretical model to design soft materials that demonstrate autonomous oscillating properties, mimicking biological functions. The work could advance the design of responsive materials for therapeutics and robot-like soft materials.
A new study from the University of Kansas finds that information presentation has little influence on how people perceive fake health news. However, labeling unverified content as such significantly affects respondents' perceptions and intentions to share. Social media efficacy is a key factor in determining credibility, with those who...
A study by Drexel University researchers found that rural seniors in Medicare Advantage plans switched to traditional Medicare at a higher rate than nonrural seniors, mainly due to limited access to providers. This highlights the need for policies to incentivize healthcare professionals to practice in rural areas.
A novel algorithm, Epigraph, has been used to create a broadly reactive influenza vaccine for swine flu and may also be applicable to developing a pan-coronavirus vaccine. The immune responses to the vaccine showed promising breadth against diverse viral variants.
Researchers from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a new testing strategy that effectively reduces collusion among students taking online tests. The 'distanced online testing' approach estimates each student's competence levels and assigns questions at varying times, reducing the incentive for students to receive help.
A study by the American Psychological Association found that individuals with lower education levels and those who have a positive attitude towards alternative medicine are more susceptible to believing misinformation on healthcare topics. The researchers also discovered that people who fell for misinformation on one topic were more li...
Researchers have developed an injectable hydrogel that could help repair and prevent further damage to the heart muscle after a heart attack. The study found that timely injection of the hydrogel resulted in less fibrosis and an increase in new blood vessels, preserving cardiomyocytes and supporting functional recovery.
A new study has identified genetic variations that may contribute to the development of keratoconus, a progressive eye condition causing sight loss. The findings could lead to earlier diagnosis and potentially new therapeutic targets.
A new study found that Europeans spend an average of £35 per trip to visit water bodies, with a typical family making 45 trips annually. Poor perceived water quality can result in significant losses, with over €100 billion in annual costs.
Researchers build first model to track travel patterns of shared e-scooter use, capturing built environment variables more precisely. The study finds that tourism, commercial areas, hotels, and public transit stops are predictive of scooter destinations in Washington D.C.
Researchers at the University of Warsaw have demonstrated how to structure light to exhibit collective spin behavior like a ferromagnet. They trapped light in a thin liquid crystal layer between mirrors and observed first-order and second-order merons and anti-merons, which can be used to study complex systems.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed new 4D hydrogels that can change shape in response to external trigger signals. These materials may help create tissues with more realistic architecture by simulating forces that drive movement during development, leading to improved tissue engineering outcomes.
Researchers discovered that Neandertals possessed the ability to perceive and produce human speech, with similar auditory capacities as modern humans. The study found that Neandertal ear structures were 'tuned' to hear frequencies within the range of modern human speech sounds.
A large Danish study found an association between exposure to green spaces and reduced risk of ADHD diagnoses. The research suggests that living in green environments may be a protective factor for children, but further studies are needed to confirm the findings.
A team of researchers from the University of Fukui and Kanazawa University have challenged the long-held assumption that potassium channels are highly selective for potassium ions. Their findings indicate that sodium ions can also pass through these channels, with a conductance one-eightieth that of potassium ions.
Specialized geriatric emergency care reduces hospitalizations and costs for Medicare beneficiaries, with savings ranging up to $2,905 after 30 days. The study found a significant reduction in total costs of care when patients were seen by transitional care nurses or social workers trained in geriatric emergency care.
A new paper discusses how smoking may affect risk for COVID-19 and proposes areas of research needed to better understand the link. Studies have shown that current smokers with COVID-19 have twice the risk of dying in the hospital as nonsmokers, highlighting the need for rigorous study design to clarify this relationship.
A new artificial intelligence system, WE-FORGE, generates fake documents to protect intellectual property and make it difficult for adversaries to identify the real document. The system, designed at Dartmouth College, uses natural language processing to create believable and incorrect documents.
A study by University of Portsmouth researchers found that poor leadership and management were the most common reasons for police officers leaving the force. The study also highlighted the importance of balancing individual needs with organisational demand to reduce turnover and improve commitment.
Researchers assessed COVID-19 trial recruitment and results reporting within the first 100 days of the pandemic. The study found challenges in recruiting participants and accurately reporting trial results, which can impact the validity of clinical trials.
The article highlights the importance of pediatric nephrologists' involvement in caring for children with cancer, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond. Key findings include the increasing need for onco-nephrology expertise due to rising childhood cancer rates and advances in therapy protocols.
Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology have developed a non-contact, non-destructive method to measure the firmness of soft fruits like mangoes. They use laser-induced plasma shockwaves and analyze the resulting Rayleigh waves to determine ripeness, providing a reliable way to indirectly assess fruit quality.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have developed a new technique that uncovers tricks cancer cells use to evade immunotherapies. The approach identified new mechanisms of resistance and validated existing ones, providing insights into why some melanoma patients don't respond to treatment.
Osaka University researchers employed machine learning to design new polymers for photovoltaic devices, virtually screening over 200,000 candidate materials. They found promising properties consistent with predictions, leading to potential breakthroughs in functional material discovery.
Researchers successfully developed bispecific antibodies that can target and deplete cancer cells without damaging healthy ones, including mutant tumor suppressor genes like p53. These antibodies could be used 'off-the-shelf' and are a promising alternative to engineered immune cell therapies.
A recent study published in Oncotarget identified elevated platelet counts as a prognostic factor for poor outcomes in patients with metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma, particularly those classified as intermediate-risk. These findings highlight the importance of stratification models in guiding treatment decisions and design c...
New research from the University of Kent suggests that childhood exposure to diversity is key to fostering acceptance of other groups, leading to sustainable social cohesion. A model of immigration shows that medium-paced immigration promotes greater community cohesion over time.
A global survey found significant international support for governments to take more action on the environment, with high levels of agreement in seven major countries. The study suggests that voters across party lines want to see more government action, with a majority supporting policies such as protecting wildlife and planting trees.
Researchers used models to predict cross-feeding interactions between microbes in the human gut, which could aid doctors in understanding gut health. The model was supported by genomic annotations and accurately predicted about 65% of its predictions.
Researchers at Tufts University use lipid nanoparticles to deliver CRISPR machinery specifically to the liver, reducing blood cholesterol levels by up to 57% in mice. The treatment may provide a long-term solution for high cholesterol, which affects over 29 million Americans.