Researchers found that areas protected under 'whole-site' Marine Protected Area (MPA) status have four-fold increases in fish abundance and diversity compared to unprotected areas. The study also showed significant benefits for commercially important fish species and conservation.
A new Boston University School of Medicine study explores the impact of direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising on patients seeking cosmetic procedures. The research found that DTC ads often exaggerate benefits while minimizing risks, suggesting that patients may believe that trained medical professionals are not necessary for these proce...
Scholars argue that well-done vaccine selfies can encourage others to get vaccinated and share personal stories about the effects of the vaccine. The practice can create a bandwagon effect, highlighting health, joy, and optimism and positively shaping public perception of COVID-19 vaccines.
A study conducted by Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research has shown that extremely low doses of radiation combined with existing therapies can turn
Researchers developed a new computational procedure to discover functional protein shapes, revealing molecular details of cellular processes. The approach focused on allosteric regulation and applied to adenylate cyclase, a key enzyme in energy metabolism and hormone signaling.
A study published in PLOS Genetics found that smoking-related DNA methylation patterns explain around 1/5 of the variation in body mass index between individuals. The study analyzed genomic sequence data from over 390,000 participants and found that genetics accounted for 50% of the variation in BMI.
A new report reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in psychological distress, depression, and anxiety among US men and women. The study found that individuals with pre-existing health conditions, financial stressors, and caregiving responsibilities were more likely to experience psychological distress.
A new study found that maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with changes in placental DNA methylation and poor birth outcomes. The research suggests that these epigenetic changes may affect fetal growth by altering the expression of genes involved in environmental responses, growth, and inflammation.
Scientists have developed a chemical process that converts hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas emitted from manure piles and sewer pipes, into hydrogen fuel. The process uses iron sulfide with a trace amount of molybdenum as an additive and requires relatively little energy.
The MPA Guide categorizes MPAs by stage of establishment and level of protection, highlighting the importance of including local peoples in the decision-making process for effective conservation. The guide specifies outcomes for biodiversity and human well-being depending on the chosen level of protection.
Researchers at UC San Diego will use $6.4 million in NIH funding to study the influence of external signals on insulin production in beta cells. They aim to create a roadmap of genetic variations that can predict changes in insulin output, which may help prevent and treat diabetes.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decline in lung cancer clinical trial enrollment, with 43% fewer participants enrolling between 2019 and 2020. Researchers identified several barriers, including patient concerns about infection and transportation, as well as institutional challenges such as closures and staff availability.
A three-year clinical study found that students who received eyeglasses through a school-based program scored higher on reading and math tests. The students who struggled the most academically showed the greatest improvement, with gains equivalent to two to four months of additional education.
The IMpower010 trial found significant disease-free survival improvement in patients with resected stage II-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer treated with atezolizumab. The study showed a benefit across different disease stages, surgery types, and chemotherapy regimens.
A mechanical engineering faculty-researcher at RIT is developing a microfluidic device to improve the detection of drug-resistant bacteria in blood, which can cause severe infection and death. The goal is to detect these strains early, allowing for prompt treatment and recovery.
A team from Simon Fraser University has created a low-cost, portable ventilator using 3D-printed origami technology, which can be produced for about $200 compared to $2,000. The design also makes it small and lightweight, making it useful for treating COVID-19 patients or those in remote rural areas.
A study led by Duke University researchers found that nearly 2.7 million people in the US lost employer-based health insurance during the spring and summer of 2020, but gained coverage through government programs like Medicaid. The study suggests that recent policy changes created a safety net to support those affected by job loss.
A national study compares three state laws aimed at increasing hospital nurse staffing: mandated staffing ratios, staffing committees, and public reporting. The study found that staffing mandates lead to a significant increase in RN staffing, while alternative approaches have little impact on hospital nursing levels.
Researchers co-led by Jonathan L. Haines are conducting a comprehensive analysis of genetic data from over 100,000 people worldwide to better understand the condition. The study aims to uncover the genetic architecture of age-related macular degeneration and its impact on diverse populations.
Researchers at Stanford University have overcome a key obstacle in phase-change memory technology, enabling faster and more energy-efficient data storage. By using a thermally insulating flexible substrate, they reduced power consumption by a factor of 10 on flexible substrates and 100 on rigid silicon.
Researchers discovered serotonin helps regulate dopamine levels, reducing addiction rates to 20% in humans. The study used mice self-administering cocaine and adding unpleasant stimuli, revealing serotonin's crucial role in curbing addiction.
A study by NYU Steinhardt Professor Eric S. Jackson found that adults who stutter do not stutter during private speech, suggesting a strong social component in stuttering. The 'talk-alone-effect' is real and is influenced by the perception of being heard by a listener.
A recent study found that fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair significantly reduced mortality rates for patients with complex aortic aneurysms, with a 1% risk of mortality at 30 days compared to 21% in open surgical repair. The procedure also showed better outcomes regarding major adverse events, including spinal cord injury.
NIST scientists use a novel technique to measure the properties of silicon crystals, revealing new insights into subatomic particles and the strength of a possible fifth force. The results provide improved precision and complementary information for both X-ray and neutron scattering.
The National Institute on Aging has expanded its network of cutting-edge Alzheimer's disease and related dementias centers, with two new centers in North Carolina and Texas. The Duke/University of North Carolina ADRC will focus on understanding age-related changes across the lifespan and identifying disparities in dementia among differ...
The proportion of journal articles using questionnaires tripled between 1996 and 2019, indicating a focus on human opinions and perspectives. However, this trend is linked to declining citation impact, sparking debate about the value and validity of questionnaire-based research.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that cancer can cause cardiac dysfunction due to the presence of free radicals, which were reversed by specific antioxidants in fruit flies and mice with tumors. The study suggests a potential new approach to treating heart problems in cancer patients.
A universal descriptor has been found to indicate the best electrolytes for organic redox flow batteries, reducing experimentation time. This breakthrough could speed up the development of new storage technologies, enabling grid-scale energy storage with a stable grid.
A novel mortality risk prediction method helps tailor treatment decisions and transplant needs for patients based on individual symptoms. The new tool uses a random survival forest algorithm to predict individual mortality risk curves, calculate mortality at any given time, and provide a 95% confidence interval.
A new poll suggests that older adults are not using tax-advantaged savings accounts to save for future health expenses, with those who do more likely to have high incomes and education levels. The findings highlight the need for better understanding and support for low-income and vulnerable populations.
The Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems (CROPPS) aims to create systems that enable plants to communicate their hidden biology to sensors, optimizing growth and the local environment. This will lead to breakthrough discoveries, new educational opportunities, and transformative management of crops.
A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder found that washing and drying reusable cloth masks doesn't compromise their ability to filter out viral particles. The research confirms that layering a cotton mask on top of a surgical mask provides more protection than cloth alone, with filtration efficiency reaching up to 40%.
Researchers designed electromechanically reconfigurable ultrathin optical elements that can be controlled on a pixel-by-pixel level. These versatile metasurfaces could offer a new chip-based way to achieve nanoscale control of light, leading to better optical displays and information encoding.
Researchers found that Taiwanese migrants used an online community to share information on pandemic-related policies, reducing risk of contracting the coronavirus. The study proposes design implications for crisis informatics, including language barrier removal and marginalized group acknowledgment.
A large Swedish study found a link between ADHD and dementia across generations. Parents of individuals with ADHD had a 34% higher risk of dementia compared to those without ADHD, while grandparents had a 10% increased risk.
Researchers at the University of Illinois propose a new method to detect moons around planets in double star systems. By analyzing transit timing variations, they can infer the presence of a moon. The study suggests that exomoons may play a key role in keeping planets habitable and could be critical for the evolution of life.
A New England Journal of Medicine study found that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and intensive care admissions due to the virus. The vaccines provide significant protections for older adults and minorities, who have been disproportionately affected by the virus.
The journal Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications (CVIA) has published its first issue of new Volume 6, featuring important research on the cardiovascular implications of COVID-19. The issue includes several articles on the topic, including a meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
A recent study found that nearly three-quarters of non-elderly adults in the U.S. experience at least one healthcare-related administrative task per year, with those needing more medical care disproportionately affected. Existing racial and socioeconomic inequities also exacerbate these burdens.
Researchers found socio-cultural barriers, lack of maintenance and funding, economic challenges, institutional barriers, technological and environmental barriers hinder GI adoption. Community-based approach identified the need for increased transparency and communication from government, as well as resident participation and engagement.
Researchers at UVA Health System have made a groundbreaking discovery about cells' 'batteries,' revealing how they sense problems and perform quality control on mitochondrial function. This finding could lead to better treatments for non-communicable diseases, which are estimated to cause 71% of all deaths.
A new system for sampling fragments of DNA from marine organisms drifting in the ocean has been developed, enabling researchers to monitor biodiversity and conservation efforts on a global scale. The innovative approach uses water collected from engine cooling systems on commercial vessels, allowing for large-scale surveys of marine ec...
The university will lead the data and administrative center for a multicenter project investigating how variations in the human genome sequence affect its function. Researchers aim to identify which genomic variants are relevant for health and disease, improving understanding of human health and developing new treatments.
Research reveals that Greenland's coastal ice caps experienced growth rather than shrinkage during past periods of warming. This study provides a new perspective on climate change, highlighting the complex relationship between climate conditions and ice cap changes across different regions of the Arctic.
The Three Gorges Region experienced its second-highest average precipitation on record, with heavy rainstorms and floods dominating the summer of 2020. The region's ecological environment improved, with a significant weakening trend in acid rain over the past decade.
Rates of aortic valve replacement among individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias increased over time, driven by TAVR. Mortality rates after aortic valve replacement declined in this patient population.
A study published in Scientific Reports discovered dental caries in prehistoric primates, indicating a high fruit diet or sugar-rich foods. The prevalence of caries fluctuated over time, suggesting changes in the primates' diet between sugary and non-sugary foods.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley have been designated as a new National Institute on Aging (NIA)-designated Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. The centers aim to promote research collaboration, encourage data sharing, and offer information and clinical trials f...
Researchers identified sex-dependent changes in gene expression in the brainstem during neonatal opioid withdrawal, which could lead to new therapeutic targets for preventing or mitigating Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome symptoms. The study found that prenatal opioid exposure compromised neurodevelopmental 'wiring' of the brain and...
A UTSA researcher has developed a theory behind the record-setting experiment, which demonstrates the most accurate entangling gate without lasers. This achievement enables more cost-effective and easier-to-use quantum computers, with potential applications in fields such as science, engineering, and finance.
A team of researchers from the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology has developed a fast, accurate, and cost-effective COVID-19 test. Using label-free microscopic imaging combined with artificial intelligence, they can detect and classify SARS-CoV-2 in under one minute.
Researchers found that over 92% of patients with Alzheimer's disease related dementia met at least one aducanumab trial exclusion criterion, highlighting the need for additional research on high-risk groups. The study suggests that Medicare should restrict coverage for aducanumab to eligible patients only.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered the physical mechanism behind icy plumes that precede severe thunderstorms and potentially deadly tornadoes. The study reveals a hydraulic jump phenomenon triggered by fluid obstacles in the atmosphere, leading to rapid water vapor injection into the stratosphere.
Researchers have developed a new family of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) that target muscle tissue more efficiently, reducing the risk of liver damage and allowing for lower doses. This improved delivery method has shown promise in treating genetic muscle diseases, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy and X-linked myotubular myopathy.
Researchers found that the stability of an amorphous metal alloy's structure is disrupted by mechanical influences, leading to crystalline inclusions. The alloy retains useful properties at pressures below 400 gigapascals before experiencing rapid crystallization and loss of structural integrity.
A study published in Stroke Journal Report found that eating 4-5 peanuts per day lowers the risk of ischemic stroke and cardiovascular disease among Japanese men and women. Peanuts are rich in heart-healthy nutrients that help reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Researchers have identified nine FDA-approved drugs that can effectively suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication in human cells. These compounds have been shown to be safe in humans and could potentially provide an alternative treatment for COVID-19 patients.
A study led by Ruixue Zhaoyang found that frequent and pleasant social interactions can boost cognitive performance in older adults. Participants who reported more social interactions had better cognitive performance on the same day and for days following.
Researchers found a 12,000-year record of marine sediment cores in Antarctica showing fluctuations in sea ice levels affecting algae growth. Algal bloom events occurred nearly every year before 4,500 years ago, but became less frequent after 4.5 thousand years ago, responding to climate cycles like ENSO.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that while some free time is beneficial for well-being, too much of it can lead to lower happiness and stress. The research analyzed data from over 21,000 Americans and suggested that a moderate amount of free time is key to boosting well-being.