A team led by NYU Langone's Robert Montgomery successfully transplanted a genetically engineered pig kidney into a human body, marking a major step forward in xenotransplantation. The procedure, performed on September 25, 2021, used a GalSafeTM pig with the alpha-gal biomolecule removed to avoid rejection.
A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine has found no correlation between COVID-19 vaccinations and risk of first-trimester miscarriages. Vaccination during pregnancy is safe and provides protection to the newborn infant against COVID-19 infection.
A team of scientists has discovered the oldest modern-looking crab, Cretapsara athanata, preserved in 100-million-year-old amber. The fossil is remarkably complete, including delicate tissues and well-developed gills, revealing an aquatic to semi-aquatic animal that defies explanation for its preservation in tree resin.
Researchers at Princeton University developed a novel method called Repair-seq to understand genome editing tools, revealing complex mechanisms of DNA repair. This work improves the CRISPR gene-editing method by identifying new pathways and optimizing systems.
A newly discovered ancient crab fossil, Cretapsara athanata, has shed new light on the evolution of crabs. The 100 million-year-old fossil, found in amber, provides evidence that crabs transitioned to land around 100 million years ago, bridging a previously unknown gap in their evolutionary history.
New research from the University of Arizona suggests that a slowdown in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) will intensify extreme cold weather in the US. The study found that without the AMOC, extremely cold winter weather would become more frequent and severe.
A new study found that most people maintain their pre-retirement level of social support after retirement, with women and those with high social support experiencing an improvement in mental wellbeing. The research also shows an increase in life satisfaction for couples where either the man or woman retired.
Researchers analyze competition among high-profile Twitter users and suggest a revenue-sharing program to increase user engagement. The study found that sharing revenues with all tweeting players, not just top performers, is more effective and less expensive for the platform.
Researchers identify a twist-angle dependent exciton in WS2/WSe2 heterobilayers, characterized by an intralayer exciton with transition dipole moment parallel to the atomic plane. The exciton's orientation and energy are found to be independent of the twist angle.
Researchers at Yale Cancer Center are launching a new tissue mapping center to study the role of senescent immune cells in development, aging, and disease. The goal is to develop strategies to target senescent cells to battle aging and cancer.
Scientists develop injectable hydrogels to effectively prevent post-surgical adhesions, reducing complications and hospital costs. The hydrogel barriers demonstrate superior mechanical properties and effective prevention of cell adherence.
A team of international scientists has shown that skeletal muscle cells from people with type 2 diabetes have a different circadian rhythm, leading to altered mitochondrial metabolism. The study suggests that considering cellular rhythms when prescribing treatments for type 2 diabetes could optimize their effectiveness.
Researchers create maps of senescence in heart and lung cells, comparing different types of senescent cells across the lifespan. The goal is to understand how senescent cells contribute to age-related diseases and develop therapies called senolytics.
Researchers developed a biodegradable polymer called polylactide (PLA) with RNA-inspired breaking points, which can break down faster in seawater. The degradation rate of the polymer can be tailored depending on the amount of breaking points, offering a potential solution to marine pollution.
A Chinese research team reconstructed past 6,000-year history of Modified Circumpolar Deep Water (MCDW) intrusion into the Ross Sea using ornithogenic sediments. The study found two periods of enhanced MCDW intrusion linked to changes in sea ice and ecological patterns.
The Lancet Countdown report highlights the urgent need for globally coordinated action to mitigate climate change and address health inequities. Countries are under-prepared for the health effects of climate change, with only 49% having a national plan or strategy.
A study of 9,739 adults found that those with stable overweight and obesity had elevated cardiac troponin I levels, a marker of subclinical heart injury. Long-standing obesity is associated with injurious effects on cardiac health before symptoms occur.
Researchers at Georgia Tech and Emory University have developed an innovative method for delivering vaccines, including those for COVID-19, using a handheld electroporator. The device is powered by a BBQ lighter and uses microneedle technology to reduce the complexity and cost of vaccine delivery.
The new AI-CARING initiative aims to develop robotics and artificial-intelligence systems to help seniors manage daily activities, including medication schedules and meal preparation. The project also seeks to grow employment opportunities and educational programs in the field of AI-robotics, with UMass Lowell as a key partner.
A recent study published in Nature Machine Intelligence challenges the long-held assumption that accuracy and fairness are mutually exclusive in machine learning. Researchers found that optimizing models for accuracy does not necessarily compromise fairness, particularly when adjustments are made to data, labels, and scoring systems.
LGBTQ+ surgical residents in the US reported higher instances of prejudice, often perpetrated by attending surgeons, leading to a hostile environment. The study aims to shed light on this issue and inform strategies for improving inclusivity in medical training.
Researchers challenge long-held notion that humans are bad for ecosystems, finding no correlation between remoteness and coral reef resilience. Instead, areas with higher human influence may recover faster from disturbances due to shifts in coral population dynamics.
A new supplemental issue of The Journals of Gerontology, Series B investigates motivation's role in healthy aging. Motivation science examines desires, dislikes, and fears to understand goal pursuit and aging processes.
Researchers found that urban waste products applied to agricultural fields in France contained higher levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) than livestock manures. The study also detected a shift towards more persistent PFAS compounds over time, raising toxicity concerns.
The University of Ottawa has launched the Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health (ICBH), a leading research center examining biological, social, economic, and cultural determinants of Black health. The ICBH aims to identify priorities in research on physical and mental health disparities among Canada's Black communities.
Researchers at GIST create an optical technique called optical speckle image velocimetry that can image dynamic changes in cerebral blood flow, allowing for the diagnosis of brain health. The technique provides high-time resolution and measures both speed and direction of blood flow.
Scientists linked SOS data to grain prices in five African countries, increasing predictive power by up to 25% in some cases. The study's findings enable earlier forecasts of potential famine, with implications for humanitarian aid.
Severe vomiting during pregnancy, known as hyperemesis gravidarum, drives women to terminate wanted pregnancies. The condition also affects mental health, with 25.5% experiencing suicidal thoughts. Improving support systems is crucial for these women.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh and Prairie View A&M University developed an algorithm to repurpose cancer drugs for pulmonary hypertension, a devastating lung disease. Two compounds improved human cells and rodent markers, supporting broader drug-repurposing platform use.
Researchers found that somatostatin interneurons can cause seizures when they go haywire, disrupting the brain's balance. The study identified a rare epilepsy syndrome and developed mouse models to understand the neurological dysfunction, paving the way for new treatments.
A new study from MIT reveals that calorie-restricted diets slow tumor growth in mice by reducing fatty acid availability, while ketogenic diets have limited effect. The findings offer insight into how dietary interventions might be combined with existing or emerging drugs to help patients with cancer.
Scientists at Wuhan University have developed a novel method to synthesize 2D rare earth oxides (REOs) with specific facets. The technique uses a facet controlling assistor to control the growth mode and direction of crystals, leading to anisotropic growth of non-layered REOs materials.
A new study from the University of Southampton demonstrates a safe method to clean and reuse facemask respirators using advanced low-temperature plasma technology. This technique can remove 99.99% of coronavirus while maintaining filter performance, reducing plastic waste by approximately 70%.
Researchers have identified a gene called Nup54 that plays a crucial role in regulating female reproductive behaviors in fruit flies. This discovery provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying sexual conflict and its impact on evolution.
Researchers have developed nanoparticles that can communicate with and slow the development of cancer cells. The nanoparticles aggregate in cancer cells, reducing metabolic activity and growth, and are activated by MMP-9 enzyme secreted by cancer cells.
A research team from the University of Zurich has identified a common genetic variant in the AQP1 gene that affects treatment efficacy and patient survival on peritoneal dialysis. Patients carrying this variant have a higher risk of death, but researchers found a way to circumvent the problem using colloid osmotic agents.
A new NLP model developed by researchers at Harbin Institute of Technology achieves higher AUC scores than existing models. The Heterogeneous Graph-Based Sequential Multi-Grained Information Aggregation Framework (HGM-GIF) uses a combination of word-level, event-level, and sentence-level information to improve stock market predictions.
Researchers found that as icebergs melted, vegetation became scarce, making it difficult for the giant animals to survive. The team analyzed ancient environmental DNA and sequenced plant remains to draw globally significant conclusions.
A new study suggests that patient-specific plates can provide superior performance in terms of anatomical fit and fracture stability. Custom-made plates designed through computer modeling have shown potential in improving healing outcomes for clavicle fractures.
A new interactive US county map shows that ticks carrying disease-causing bacteria have been found in 116 counties not previously identified by the CDC. Lyme disease was detected in 293 counties, while tick-borne relapsing fever and anaplasmosis were found in 80 and 128 counties respectively.
The NY-CDTR promotes collaboration and research on effective strategies for improving diabetes prevention, care, and self-management, with a focus on health equity. The center will expand its efforts to address diabetes health disparities experienced by Latinx individuals through community partnerships and national initiatives.
A deep learning algorithm from VUNO improved radiologists' sensitivity for detecting reticular opacity on chest radiographs in patients with mild to severe interstitial lung disease. The algorithm accuracy reached 98.5% and improved interobserver agreement, suggesting its potential for screening suspected ILD patients.
A new study reveals that a female elephant seal's age and experience are more important than ocean conditions in determining the condition of her pup at weaning. Higher population densities lead to smaller pups, but older females outperform younger ones.
A new study found that racial and ethnic disparities in pediatric kidney transplantation decreased significantly after the implementation of the Kidney Allocation System in 2014. The study showed no racial disparities in waitlist time until transplantation before or after the policy change, but disparities remained for time on dialysis...
Researchers have identified a rapid mechanism for muscle repair that relies on the rearrangement of muscle fibre nuclei and does not involve stem cells. This process allows for efficient protection against minor lesions, paving the way for a deeper understanding of muscle biology, physiology, and disease.
Researchers have developed hardened wooden knives that are 23 times harder and nearly three times sharper than stainless-steel dinner table knives. The material can be used to produce wooden nails as sharp as conventional steel nails and has potential applications in hardwood flooring and other wood products.
Pediatricians and public health officials should present a united front against controversial state masking bans for schools, as these policies contradict evidence-based recommendations. The Delta variant overwhelmed pediatric emergency rooms and hospitals, highlighting the need for effective mitigation strategies.
Researchers found that African greys waited up to 29.4 seconds for preferred food, while blue-throated macaws only waited 8.3 seconds. Pacing was the most effective waiting behaviour among parrots.
A recent study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that college students misuse prescription drugs more often during the week and when they are alone at home. The study, which surveyed 297 students, suggests that there may be different motivating factors underlying prescription drug misuse compared to other substances.
University of Michigan researchers have identified a zinc and calcium ion permeable channel within a cell's lysosome that can be targeted to selectively kill cancer cells. Targeting this channel with small molecule pharmaceuticals triggers rapid and selective cell death in cancer cells while sparing normal cells.
A team of international scientists has discovered a 5-millimeter crab in 100-million-year-old amber, pushing back the age of non-marine crabs to at least 100 million years ago. The find provides new insights into the evolution of true crabs and their spread across the world.
Overdose deaths involving cocaine or methamphetamine increased triply in the shadow of the opioid epidemic. Most fatal overdoses (70%) involved multiple substances, with most being opioids and stimulants. The study highlights disparities in overdose risk from stimulants among Black veterans and rural residents.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in Free Space Optical Communication (FSOC) by sending two laser beams together, reducing distortion caused by atmospheric turbulence. This innovation promises to improve wireless communication speeds and security for applications such as high-speed internet, airplanes, drones, and satellites.
The NIH has awarded $7.5 million to Washington University School of Medicine to study senescent cells, which are thought to contribute to aging and disease. Researchers will map the location and function of senescent cells in bone marrow and liver tissues.
Researchers applied a physics method to Balinese rice irrigation practices, finding that a balance between water stress and pest stress is crucial for equilibrium. The traditional method, which involves synchronized flooding, can help maintain social harmony and prevent chaos in water schedules.
Researchers discovered a resemblance between magic graphene's superconductivity and high-temperature superconductors, shedding light on the mysterious ceramic compounds. The study provides evidence for unconventional superconductivity in magic bilayer graphene.
A 100-million-year-old crab fossil discovered in amber is helping scientists understand the evolution of non-marine crabs. The fossil, named Cretapsara athanata, provides crucial evidence that these crustaceans colonized land around 125 million years ago, bridging a long-standing gap in the fossil record.
A pilot study examines graph-theoretical properties of brain networks in traumatic brain injury and controls, showing association with balance impairment and structural damage. The study uses EEG-based functional connectivity measures during a balance perturbation task to explore underlying neural mechanisms.
A research team at USTC achieved measurable control over the magnitude of BPVE under applied electric field, incident light field, and temperature conditions. The findings suggest that ultrathin 2D ferroelectrics hold potential for developing high-efficiency third-generation solar cells beyond the SQ limit.
A study published in BioScience found that genetic factors contribute to concern for nature and pro-environmental behavior, with moderate heritability (30-40%) reported. The researchers also observed high genetic correlations between these traits, suggesting a partially shared genetic basis.