Researchers have identified significant neurological effects of social isolation on the brain, including altered neural circuits and increased risk for disease. Social isolation can cause permanent changes in behavior and lead to health issues like anxiety and depression.
Researchers found that during hothouse periods, Earth may have experienced cycles of dryness followed by massive rain storms. This unexpected atmospheric state sheds light on Earth's distant past and far-flung future, potentially helping to understand climates of exoplanets.
A study from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business found that conservatives with low conscientiousness are more likely to share misleading information. Conscientiousness plays a significant role in determining whether people share misinformation, regardless of political beliefs or social media usage.
New research suggests that insomnia may be a potential risk factor for brain aneurysm rupture, along with well-known factors such as smoking and high blood pressure. The study found associations between insomnia and increased risk of intracranial aneurysms and subarachnoid hemorrhage.
A new study presents a broad survey of monogenetic volcanoes in the US Southwest, providing insights into their characteristics and potential hazards. The research reveals that over 1,800 volcanoes have erupted in the region over the past 2.58 million years, with some still posing threats despite being dormant.
A team of scientists at MBARI has developed an autonomous robotic rover, Benthic Rover II, to study the deep sea's role in cycling carbon. The rover provides long-term monitoring of the coupling between the water column and seafloor, critical for predicting climate change impacts.
New research from Stanford University reveals whales eat twice as much krill as previously estimated, impacting ocean ecosystem productivity. The decline of baleen whales has led to a decline in krill populations, highlighting the complex role of whales in their ecosystems.
Researchers build a bridge between magnetism and superconductivity communities, highlighting the potential of curvilinear geometry to modify existing functionalities and launch new ones. The approach enables investigations into curvature effects in systems with vector and scalar order parameters.
A rare collection of non-returning boomerangs from Cooper Creek, South Australia, has been analysed, revealing a diverse range of activities and daily lives of Aboriginal people. The artefacts date back to circa 1650–1830 AD and were likely used for fighting, hunting, digging, fire management, and possibly in ceremonies.
A decision-support tool aided healthcare workers in distinguishing COVID-19 vaccination symptoms from actual infections, preserving the workforce during a surge. The study found that providing this guidance helped curb the spread of COVID-19 and reduced missed workdays.
Researchers assessed short- and long-term effects of stress on rodent models to better understand the brain's response. The study's findings aim to develop targeted treatments for anxiety disorders and PTSD.
A new study analyzing microfossils in European glaciers reveals earlier-than-expected evidence of air pollution and the roots of modern invasive species problems. The analysis provides non-stop context for major historical events like droughts or famines, helping scientists better understand current climate change.
Researchers developed a method to image lithium in living cells, finding that neurons from bipolar disorder patients accumulate higher levels of lithium than healthy controls. This new tool could help optimize lithium dosage and improve treatment outcomes for patients with bipolar disorder.
COVID passes may help prevent lockdowns, but experts warn of risks including segregation, surveillance, and economic barriers. Some researchers advocate for mandatory covid passes as a 'mechanism to target restrictions' and reduce cases, while others argue they introduce profound risks and can exacerbate existing inequalities.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that combining copper ions with a drug once used for treating alcoholism kills medulloblastoma cancer cells and prevents new ones from forming. The therapy also curtails the creation of cancer stem cells, which initiate tumor growth and recurrence.
A preclinical study shows that gene therapy can restore dopamine production in the brain, eliminating symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The therapy targets the substantia nigra region, where dopamine-releasing neurons reside, and provides a potential target for disease-modifying therapies.
Researchers have detected water and carbon monoxide molecules in the largest galaxy in the early Universe, located nearly 13 billion light-years from Earth. This finding provides insight into the formation of life-creating elements in the earliest galaxies.
A study at the University of Turku found that brain function regulating satiety and appetite is altered before obesity develops, with family background risk factors contributing to these changes. The findings suggest the brain and central nervous system are key targets for treating obesity.
A recent study published by The Menopause Society suggests that eating alone may contribute to an increased risk of heart disease in older women. Older women who eat alone have poorer nutritional knowledge and intake, as well as a higher prevalence of angina, a type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.
A study analyzed grocery purchase records of 57,000 US households and identified three ways to reduce food-based carbon footprints: meal planning, using local produce, and reducing meat consumption. The research suggests that 71% of households can decrease their emissions by implementing these strategies.
Researchers developed an algorithm that predicts suicidal thoughts and behavior among adolescents with 91% accuracy, analyzing data from 179,384 students. The study reveals online harassment and bullying as leading predictors of suicidal ideation and behavior, with females more likely to experience suicidal thoughts.
A phase III clinical trial found that a trio of drugs, apalutamide, abiraterone, and prednisone, slowed the progression of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer by 24 months compared to 16.6 months with abiraterone and prednisone alone.
Experts call for a national compensatory body and guarantee fund to compensate victims of mass-hacking, citing potential catastrophic consequences and financial losses. The UK has an opportunity to establish itself as a leading role in connected and autonomous vehicle development by creating an insurance fund.
A new approach controls the coffee ring effect in spray-coating, leading to high-performance perovskite solar cells with 19.17% power conversion efficiency. The reaction-dependent method uses solvent selection to regulate solute distribution and achieve uniform films.
A new machine learning model developed by Timothy Chan accurately predicts whether immune checkpoint blockade will be effective in patients with various cancers. The tool assesses multiple patient-specific factors, including tumor mutational burden and chemotherapy history, to predict response and survival outcomes.
A new technique measures bacterial metabolic activity with an electric probe to identify antibiotic resistance in less than 90 minutes. This rapid method enables doctors to quickly determine which antibiotics will or won't work for a patient's infection, improving treatment decisions and potentially saving lives.
Princeton researchers create a new type of antenna array that can be used in various applications, including coating airplane wings, functioning as a skin patch for medical implants, or covering a room as wallpaper. The technology uses large-area electronics to overcome limitations of conventional silicon semiconductors and enables fle...
A study published in Marketing Science found that a simultaneous reveal review system on Airbnb increased review rates by shortening the time to receive reviews and making them more accurate. This is attributed to curiosity and business interest, as users want to see their own reviews right away and submit theirs quickly.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki and the University of Eastern Finland found six candidate drugs with antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2. The study used a combination of modern technologies to identify protein targets for repurposed drugs, suggesting that existing compounds could be faster and safer alternatives.
Researchers at California State Polytechnic University use catalytic pyrolysis to upcycle plastic waste into a valuable fuel source. The process converts primary organic waste into a sustainable fuel or other valuable chemicals.
Researchers at KAUST develop adaptive framework to increase coral resilience, combining tools like selective sexual propagation, coral probiotics, and environmental hardening. They also investigate the potential of genetic adaptations and beneficial microorganisms to enhance coral's stress resilience.
Researchers developed a healable carbon fiber composite that can be repeatedly healed with heat, reversing fatigue damage. This material provides a way to break it down and recycle when it reaches the end of its life, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional thermosets.
Researchers developed enerscape software to predict large land animals' movement patterns, reducing costs and conflicts. The software uses energy expenditure calculations to create 'energy landscape maps,' helping identify protection zones and prevent human-animal collisions.
A new study published in The Lancet confirms that HPV vaccination has led to a significant reduction in cervical cancer rates in England. Women who were vaccinated between the ages of 12-13 had an 87% lower incidence of cervical cancer compared to previous generations.
A new analytical technique combines quantum physics and molecular biology to track biomolecule changes in less than a trillionth of a second. By analyzing the collective movement of atoms, researchers were able to reduce 6000 dimensions to four and characterize conical intersections of quantum states in complex molecules.
A study published in The BMJ found that more than 28 million extra years of life were lost worldwide in 2020 compared to expected numbers, with a higher rate of excess premature deaths in men than women. This analysis provides insight into the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations.
Researchers found that most coralline algae are negatively impacted by ocean acidification, with decreases in abundance and calcification rates. However, some species, like those in the family Mesophyllumaceae, appear to be more resilient to ocean acidification.
Researchers identified a gene family called MEF2 that controls a genetic program promoting resistance to cognitive decline. Enriching activities appear to activate MEF2, which may help prevent age-related dementia.
Senior governmental officials from Scotland and California met during COP26 to discuss a dense network of optical sensors for real-time monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions. This will provide local leaders with essential information to support strategic policy decisions.
Researchers have identified genetic mutations in genes CBP and p300 that drive radiation resistance in head and neck tumors. Inhibiting these proteins with certain drugs makes tumor cells more susceptible to radiotherapy.
Researchers found that combining resource diversification, excess generation, building efficiency, and demand flexibility can reduce or eliminate long-duration energy storage in some regions. This approach enables the achievability of a fully renewable system with technology building blocks accessible today.
Scientists have identified a protein in the brain that uses information about the body's energy balance to regulate growth rate and the onset of puberty in children. Research findings, published in Nature, show striking similarities between humans and mice with defects in the melanocortin 3 receptor gene.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that universities are increasingly using social media metrics to claim impact in research, despite this being a 'naïve and problematic' grasp of the concept. This is linked to institutional isomorphism, where organisations imitate each other's approaches to uncertain goals.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has been awarded a $9.5 million grant to increase diversity in genetic counseling programs, which currently lack a diverse workforce. The program aims to expand all dimensions of diversity and provide full tuition support to underrepresented students.
Physicists from HSE University and MIPT discovered a correlation between Martian dust storms and Schumann resonances. The study suggests that electric fields in the Martian atmosphere may induce standing electromagnetic waves, similar to those on Earth.
A nationwide study of 895 US school districts found that opening schools for in-person learning did not increase COVID-19 case rates in surrounding communities, except in the South. The researchers controlled for local policies and community mobility data to analyze the impact of schools on community spread.
Researchers discovered that a small dose of benzodiazepine increases brain signal variability in older adults, comparable to young adults. Additionally, studies found that bilingual individuals' brains process language differently, and individual neurons play a unique role in signaling face features.
Researchers from the Paul Scherrer Institute found that CO2 electrolysis can produce formic acid, a promising product for various industries, but generates more CO2 than it consumes. The production process is commercially viable, but depends on a renewable energy mix to have a positive climate effect.
Researchers at Penn Medicine have made a major advance in understanding dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a common and fatal heart disorder. The largest single cause of DCM involves the mutation of the gene that encodes titin, leading to abnormalities in heart muscle cells.
New research reveals that blue, fin and humpback whales consume an average of three times more food each year than scientists previously estimated. This increased consumption plays a crucial role in maintaining ocean health and productivity by recycling key nutrients.
In a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, researchers found that restoring normal sleep reduced amyloid-beta plaque accumulation. The thalamic reticular nucleus played a previously unsuspected role in symptoms associated with Alzheimer's, and its restoration could be a potential therapeutic approach.
Researchers examine how heat affects salt and brine in underground tests to refine computer models and inform policymakers about spent nuclear fuel disposal. The understanding gained will help assess the viability of salt beds as a safe storage option for radioactive waste.
A study of 5.9 million radiological examinations found no significant difference in major and minor discrepancy rates for acute community setting exams between concordant and discordant with radiologists' fellowship training. However, advanced examination discrepancies were higher when concordant with radiologists' fellowship training.
A study published by The BMJ found an extensive network of financial and non-financial ties between the medical product industry and all major healthcare parties and activities. Researchers are urging enhanced oversight and transparency to protect patients from commercial influence, citing the need for better conflict of interest polic...
Researchers developed a tool to investigate cause of death when skeletonised remains are recovered, providing a breakthrough in forensic lightning pathology. The study identified unique markers of lightning damage deep within the human skeleton, allowing for recognition of lightning strikes even when only dry bone survives.
Researchers found cannabis use disorders among pregnant patients had sharply higher levels of depression, anxiety, and nausea, warranting clinical concern. The study's findings underscore the need for further exploration of the disorder and its links to psychiatric and medical conditions.
A new study explores the problem of shortcuts in a popular machine learning method and proposes a solution that can prevent shortcuts by forcing the model to use more data. By removing simpler characteristics and asking the model to solve the task two ways, researchers reduce the tendency for shortcut solutions and boost performance.
Researchers analyzed the genome of 300 individuals from 15 Mexican ethnic groups to understand their evolutionary histories and adaptability to global changes. The study found that Native Mexican peoples have biological characteristics influenced by their complex history, including susceptibility to certain diseases.
Researchers identified 'hotspots' for flash droughts globally, including regions with high agricultural production, and found that half of the contributing factor is a lack of rainfall and hot weather conditions. This study provides a foundation to build off and explore key questions regarding future trends of flash drought occurrence.
A team of experts from Tel Aviv University has identified 5 coronavirus proteins responsible for damaging blood vessels. The researchers hope that the identification will lead to the development of targeted drugs that reduce vascular damage in COVID-19 patients.