Researchers have discovered a more effective treatment for children with Kawasaki disease and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a rare COVID-19 reaction. The new therapy, infliximab, reduces fever duration, hospitalizations, and anemia compared to standard IVIG treatment.
A new study suggests that waters off the French coast can be a deadly trap for small, foraging turtles in winter. Satellite tracking data reveals that younger individuals are at risk of being trapped in the region due to their inability to regulate body temperature and get lethargic with decreasing sea temperatures.
A new study identifies three functional subtypes of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) in lung cancer, which correspond to patients' treatment responses. These subtypes have distinct biological functions and therapeutic implications, suggesting that CAFs could serve as a key to enhancing personalized treatment for lung cancer patients.
A new study reveals that tusks originated from ancient mammals before the dinosaurs, with dicynodonts being their closest living relatives. The researchers defined what makes a tusk and found that some dicynodont teeth are indeed tusks, while others have large teeth.
A new TGen study is exploring the use of checkpoint inhibitors to treat pancreatic cancer by modulating the tumor microenvironment and rendering it vulnerable to immunotherapies. The study, funded with a $1 million grant, aims to overcome the resistance of pancreatic cancer to treatments, including immune therapies.
SMART researchers have discovered a practical method to overcome current challenges in the manufacture of indium gallium nitride (InGaN) LEDs with considerably higher indium concentration. The new approach uses intrinsic defects in semiconducting materials to form quantum dots that emit long-wavelength light.
Researchers from Harvard University and Carnegie Mellon University found that matching the locations of faces with speech sounds significantly improves understanding of speech, especially in noisy areas. Spatial alignment is more important when background noise is louder.
Researchers have developed a method to produce genome-edited sperm from a different species by transplanting spermatogonial stem cells, opening up new avenues for accelerating breeding processes in commercial fish and livestock.
Texas A&M researchers are advancing technology to give touch devices the ability to mimic physical objects, enriching virtual environments and reducing audiovisual overload. The goal is to create predictive models for designing devices with maximum haptic effect and minimum sensitivity to users and environmental variations.
Researchers found no difference between kids exposed to language at birth, regardless of sign or speech. Children with delayed language exposure tend to struggle with executive functioning. The study suggests that 'talking' doesn't just mean speech—sign language exposure is equally nourishing for baby brains.
A Singapore clinical trial has introduced a new way to treat advanced hepatocellular carcinoma by combining nivolumab, an immunotherapy drug, with yttrium-90 resin microspheres radioembolisation. The study shows promising results in treating intermediate and advanced HCC, with an overall response rate of 30.6%.
A breakthrough oral vaccine candidate has been developed to prevent hookworm infection, which affects half a billion people worldwide. The vaccine triggers a strong immune response and reduces worm numbers by up to 94% in mice trials.
Researchers from the University of Groningen and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory created ultra-lightweight yet extremely stiff porous materials by stacking carbon tubes with a strutted tube-in-tube structure. This innovative design enables new applications in micro-electromechanical systems and other small devices.
Researchers discovered a novel type of bivalent chromatin that enables plants to quickly produce defense compounds like camalexin in response to pathogens. This understanding could inform strategies to improve crop yields and combat global hunger.
A new case study describes successful radiofrequency ablation of typical atrial flutter combined with atrial tachycardia in a 63-year-old patient with pulmonary heart disease. The procedure was performed using the carto3 system, but initial results were inconsistent until remapping confirmed focal atrial tachycardia location.
The Delta variant is the most infectious known to date due to its ability to fuse with cells quickly and efficiently. Researchers found that Delta's spike protein has a unique property that accounts for its transmissibility, making it a favorable target for next-generation vaccines and treatments.
The NRG-RTOG 0815 trial found that adding androgen suppression to dose-escalated radiotherapy did not improve overall survival, but reduced rates of biochemical failure and distant metastases. Future studies are needed to identify subsets of patients who may benefit from this intervention.
A new review finds that climate change impacts coffee production, with higher altitudes associated with better flavor and aroma. Current adaptation strategies show promise, but innovative solutions are needed to support bean growth at all elevations.
Patients who survive aortic dissection repair are at risk for complications and death due to inadequate post-surgical follow-up care. A new study found that only 14% of patients received guideline-recommended imaging surveillance, leaving them vulnerable to a lifetime of sustained risk.
A new study shows toothed whales rapidly adjust their echolocation behaviour to track fast-moving prey, with response times comparable to visual predators. The findings provide insights into how these unique animals hunt and may aid conservation efforts.
Researchers at Technical University of Munich have developed a new X-ray method for respiratory diagnostics using dark-field chest imaging, allowing for early detection and treatment follow-up of respiratory ailments. The technology reduces radiation dose by a factor of fifty compared to traditional computed tomography.
Researchers developed a new model to predict how sand dunes move through landscapes, revealing conditions that determine whether they pass or stop at hurdles. The model shows large obstacles are most effective at halting dune migration, especially ridge-shaped ones like walls.
A new vaccine has shown significant protection against Valley fever in dogs, offering hope for a potential human vaccine. The study found that two doses provided high levels of protection against the fungal disease.
A multidisciplinary team at Wayne State University has been awarded a grant to develop alternative sources of rare earth elements critical to advanced military and consumer technologies. The project aims to create a sustainable US rare earth element supply chain and mitigate potential supply disruptions.
Research reveals people's psychological strategies to cope with meat consumption and animal welfare, including triggers and restorative strategies. The study finds differences in meat consumption patterns across demographics and attitudes, with men more likely to disengage from animals.
Researchers discovered ultra-long spin relaxation behavior in 2D van der Waals magnetic materials using an all-optical technique. The study reveals the key role of dimensionality and thermal diffusion anisotropy in spin dynamics, providing a research basis for high-frequency devices.
Scientists from the University of Johannesburg found that shining two lasers on adult stem cells accelerates their transformation into different types of cells. The consecutive irradiation increases proliferation and differentiation under laboratory conditions, paving the way for potential therapies to repair damaged tissues.
Researchers at MPFI uncovered a sinusoidal map in area V2 of the cortex, challenging the prevailing theory of retinotopic mapping. This discovery deepens our understanding of neural representations of visual space and highlights the importance of precise mapping in the visual cortex.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers is using new technology and imaging strategies to improve impaired waste clearance of the brain due to sleep disruption. The project aims to enhance the natural system of brain cleansing that occurs during sleep.
A recent study by Universitat Rovira i Virgili's TecnATox research group detected seven emerging flame retardants in indoor spaces in Tarragona, Spain, including at high levels. The findings suggest potential health risks for adults and children due to inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact.
A recent study found a significant increase in maternal deaths in the US, with drug and alcohol poisoning and homicides being major contributors. The mortality rate for all causes increased by 4.4% per year from 2015-2019.
The study found that the $25 Summer Card Pilot program successfully encouraged more adults to get a COVID-19 vaccine by halving the drop in vaccination rates. The program's design provided guaranteed financial incentives, which were particularly effective among low-income and minority groups.
A new study found that householders' landscaping and management decisions can increase wild bird habitat and influence bird biodiversity in their yard and at the neighborhood and city scale. Yards certified as wildlife habitat support a wider variety of bird species compared to traditional yards.
Researchers have developed metal-halide perovskite semiconductors as a cheaper alternative to silicon for solar cells and LEDs. The new material class offers excellent functionality and can be processed from solution, allowing for the creation of efficient devices.
The MIPACT study analyzed data from thousands of participants, revealing differences in heart rate, blood pressure, and activity levels by age, race, ethnicity, and clinical conditions. The study's findings have significant implications for clinicians, providing a more complete picture of daily life and resulting health.
Researchers from the University of Rhode Island studied the interaction between tornado-strength winds and highway overpasses, finding no evidence of wind acceleration under an overpass. The study, published in Physics of Fluids, suggests that using an overpass as a shelter during a tornado may not be safer than other options.
Researchers have compiled a dataset of microplastic abundance in the world's upper oceans, estimating 24.4 trillion pieces weighing 82,000-578,000 tons. The data fills gaps in global coverage and provides realistic amounts for assessing impact on aquatic organisms.
A Harvard University study estimates Americans perform about 30 minutes less moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily compared to 200 years ago. The decline is attributed to technology, with researchers using historical body temperature records as a 'thermometer' of population-level physical activity.
A new study published in Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications found that a microtube-irrigated ablation catheter was more effective than a general ablation catheter in reducing blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension. The study, which followed 60 patients for 12 months, also showed that the microtube-irrigated cat...
A study evaluated the clinical efficacy of a drug-eluting stent combined with a drug-coated balloon in treating left main coronary artery bifurcation lesions. The treatment resulted in low restenosis rates and no serious clinical events, making it a safe and effective option.
Researchers observed a significant increase in waiting list registrations and deceased donor liver transplants for alcoholic hepatitis during the COVID-19 pandemic. This spike in demand may indicate a relationship between increasing alcohol sales and misuse during the pandemic, with trends for other conditions remaining unchanged.
A study published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences found that the Sputnik-V COVID vaccine elicits both robust antibody and T-cell responses. The research suggests that long-term immunity is possible, supporting the effectiveness of the vaccine against local virus variants.
Scientists summarize current state of land carbon data assimilation and outline mathematical principles for optimal fusion with models and observations. Emerging opportunities include fusing multisource observations into a coherent carbon data assimilation system.
A recent Johns Hopkins Medicine-led study suggests that statin use is not beneficial for reducing COVID-19 mortality or severity. Instead, patients taking statins had an increased risk of developing a more severe form of the disease. The researchers found no significant impact on mortality rates.
Researchers found nearly all employees with a history of severe allergic reactions could become fully vaccinated, despite higher reported symptoms. The study suggests COVID-19 vaccines are safe for individuals with high-risk allergy histories.
Researchers at Duke University developed electrochromic technology that can alternate between harvesting heat from sunlight and allowing an object to cool. The device, which uses a thin layer of graphene and metal nanoparticles, demonstrates a tuning range of thermal radiation never seen before.
Researchers from KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a synthetic alloy that increases perovskite cells' durability while preserving energy conversion performance. The new material can survive for several minutes completely immersed in water, retaining its efficiency for over 100 days after manufacturing.
Researchers found that exogenous phosphatidic acid protects against liver injury caused by acetaminophen overdose. PA activates interleukin-6 signaling, which is crucial for reducing liver damage.
A new study suggests that novel obesity treatments such as modulation of the gut microbiome and gene therapy could help end the obesity epidemic. However, lack of insurance coverage and cost issues create barriers to treatment. Researchers are working on developing safer and more effective medications with fewer side effects.
A new study found that thrombocytopenia, elevated serum total bilirubin level, and enlarged right atrium are independent predictors of all-cause death in patients undergoing the Maze IV procedure. Additionally, these factors also predict recurrent atrial fibrillation.
Researchers shed light on the evolution of mammalian tusks by tracing them back to ancient mammal relatives called dicynodonts. Dicynodonts had protruding tusks in their upper jaws, but they were not always true tusks – instead, some had enamel-coated teeth that did not fit the definition.
Researchers used whole-body magnetic resonance imaging to detect diabetes based on fat distribution patterns. The study showed that lower abdominal fat accumulation is an important indicator of diabetes pathogenesis, allowing for better preventive and therapeutic options.
Researchers estimated death rates for US pregnant and recently pregnant women from 2015 to 2019, finding a significant increase in mortality rates during the pandemic. The study also revealed that Black women were disproportionately affected by maternal mortality.
Research by University of Colorado Boulder found that women's representation in national legislatures drives spending on education and healthcare. Spending increases sharply when women occupy 15-35% of seats, but levels off beyond 40%. The study suggests critical mass theory is not dead.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that lack of sleep affects gait control, with students who stayed awake all night performing poorly. However, those who compensated for lost sleep by catching up on weekends showed improved walking control.
A large-scale study characterized 585 strains of the Xanthomonas perforans bacterium in Florida commercial tomato fields, finding associations between farms and transplant facilities as key points of pathogen spread. This research provides insights into the diversity of the pathogen population and potential control strategies for farmers.
Researchers have developed a tiny chip-based device that uses two-mode squeezing to create unconditional entanglement between continuous optical fields. The new microcomb has been tested and found to exhibit raw squeezing of 1.6 dB, with potential for further improvement by reducing system losses.
A polyphenol-rich diet improves intestinal permeability in old people by modifying the intestinal microbiota and serum metabolome. The study, conducted over eight weeks, showed significant improvements in gut barrier function, with increased production of butyrate-producing bacteria and decreased zonulin levels.
Researchers found that Al atoms in FER-type zeolites are constrained at T1 and/or T3 sites, leading to inactive Brønsted acid centers. This limits the catalytic performance of FER-type zeolites compared to MOR-type zeolites.
A new study found that a UK government subsidy aimed at boosting restaurant sales during the pandemic accelerated a second wave of COVID-19 infections. The 'Eat-Out-To-Help-Out' scheme subsidized meals by up to 50% and saw a significant increase in restaurant visits, particularly on weekdays.