Cyanophycin synthetases, previously thought to require primers, have a hidden reaction centre that cleaves bonds between amino acids. This discovery reveals a 'Swiss army knife enzyme' capable of slow polymerization in the absence of primers.
A retrospective cohort study of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 found significant reductions in all-cause mortality and disease progression among those receiving oral antivirals like molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir–ritonavir. The study supports the use of these antivirals in this population.
A Swedish cohort study found that direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) were associated with a lower risk of kidney function decline or kidney failure compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKA). DOACs also showed a lower risk of acute kidney injury.
Assistant Professor SUZUKI Hiroo and colleagues have developed a method to grow highly crystalline TMDCs, such as MoS2 and WS2, using chemical vapor deposition in a stacked substrate configuration. The technique produces samples with large domains and optimal photoluminescence characteristics.
Research reveals forest elephants disperse seeds over long distances, aiding timber species regeneration. Logging can be part of conservation efforts when planned and legally conducted.
Researchers developed a durable perovskite solar cell capable of generating electricity for over 1,000 continuous hours with an efficiency of more than 20%. The team improved durability by creating a water-repellent interface between the electron and hole transport layers.
A new category of shape-memory materials made of ceramic, rather than metal, has been discovered by MIT researchers. The ceramic material can actuate without accumulating damage and withstand much higher temperatures than existing metals, making it suitable for applications such as actuators in jet engines.
Researchers found that placing layers of white hollow glass microspheres onto Arctic sea ice would darken its surface, accelerate the loss of sea ice, and further warm the climate. The study challenges a previous claim that spreading hollow glass microspheres on young Arctic sea ice could increase reflectivity and protect it from the sun.
New research by Cornell University ILR School tracks the rise of militant leadership in California Nurses Association, adopting fixed-duration strikes to build a more militant membership and resist concessions. The fixed-duration strike proved highly effective in protecting worker interests, imposing financial costs on employers.
A new genetic test called PancreaSeq accurately classifies pancreatic cysts as potentially cancerous or benign, improving the accuracy of diagnoses compared to current guidelines. The test distinguishes between different types of cysts with higher accuracy than traditional forms of surveillance and current pancreatic cyst guidelines.
Researchers identified a rare hybrid bird between a rose-breasted grosbeak and a scarlet tanager, blending divergent species lines. The study, published in Ecology and Evolution, utilized genomic sequencing and song analysis to confirm the hybrid's ancestry.
Researchers from Osaka University found that serum albumin can prevent the formation of amyloid fibrils in dialysis patients by interfering with β2m protein clumping. Monitoring serum albumin levels may help predict and delay the onset of dialysis-related amyloidosis, a condition also linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found a 'zero-price effect' in Japan's child healthcare system, where zero cost increases demand for health services. However, this can lead to poor allocation of resources and overuse of antibiotics.
Researchers found that administering nitric oxide to preterm mice after birth can reverse symptoms of congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, including sensory and cognitive disorders. A clinical trial is now underway to test this treatment in human preterm infants.
A new study identifies Scleromochlus taylori as an early relative of pterosaurs, shedding light on the evolution of flying reptiles. The discovery uses CT scans to provide detailed reconstructions of the fossil, confirming its link to lagerpetids and supporting the hypothesis that flying reptiles evolved from small, bipedal ancestors.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new RNA vaccine tool called RADAR, which can selectively target specific cells and induce protein production. This technology could offer precise treatment options for various diseases, including cancer.
A workshop on flood risk governance in Brazil and the UK identified research gaps, including local data, integration systems, and visualization tools. Innovative initiatives are being developed using tools such as an app that empowers citizens to input data and improve disaster prevention.
A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial found that positive patient beliefs about antibiotic effectiveness for appendicitis are linked to lower risk of surgery and faster symptom resolution. This association remains unclear, with further research needed to understand its underlying mechanisms.
Researchers have developed a strong seaweed-based separator to prevent dendrite growth in sodium-metal batteries, increasing storage capacity and efficiency. The breakthrough paves the way for greener and more efficient energy storage systems, reducing reliance on scarce materials like lithium.
New research reveals that shark fishing can cause rapid temperature spikes in caught and released sharks, with one blue shark experiencing a 2.7°C increase in just minutes. The study found that it took up to 40 minutes for the sharks to cool down after release.
Nonadherence with buprenorphine treatment was associated with increased opioid overdose risk and higher healthcare expenditures in a study of 34,000 Medicare patients. The study found that treatment gaps led to more frequent overdoses and increased healthcare costs.
The study found a significant need for stable and durable diagnostics to differentiate infected animals from vaccinated ones. The researchers propose five priorities: vaccinology, antimicrobial resistance, climate mitigation, digital health, and epidemic preparedness.
Astronomers have discovered a stellar binary with an extremely short orbit of just 51 minutes, confirming a decades-old prediction. The system is believed to be a cataclysmic variable, in which a white dwarf is accreting material from its companion star.
Researchers found that hepatocyte adenosine kinase promotes excessive fat deposition and liver inflammation, suggesting a key role in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Dietary changes may help prevent or reduce NAFLD severity by inhibiting ADK activity.
Researchers developed algorithms that can predict volleyball players' actions with over 80% accuracy, combining visual data with hidden variables. The algorithms also showed promise in predicting multiple actions across sequences of up to 44 frames.
Researchers at Penn State developed a method to erase memories in disordered solids, allowing for new opportunities in diagnostics and programming of materials. The study provides insight into how memories form in these materials and demonstrates a way to 'read' and erase them.
A new study demonstrates that standardizing ultrasound-guided PIV insertions using an innovative sterile barrier dressing, UltraDrape, improves outcomes and reduces costs. The results show a 73% reduction in supply costs and a 50% decrease in staff time for insertions.
A new study reveals that exercise training has opposite effects on muscle and fat tissues compared to high-fat diet-induced obesity. Exercise is found to down-regulate extracellular matrix-related pathways, while obesity up-regulates them. Conversely, exercise up-regulates circadian rhythm pathways, which are reversed by obesity. This ...
A Rutgers study found that over 40% of store visits in New Jersey resulted in underage buyers successfully purchasing cigarettes and other tobacco products. The strongest predictor of an underage sale was failing to card, with independent stores and gas kiosks showing lower rates of age verification.
The use of Frictionless Data enhances both machine readability and human engagement with scientific outputs, turning articles into dynamic entities. Interactive figures enable readers to directly interact with data points, making the publication process more efficient and reproducible.
SpineX's proprietary SCiP TM device demonstrates unparalleled functional improvements in children with cerebral palsy, treating underlying neurological dysfunction and improving connectivity between the brain and spinal cord.
A study published in the Review of Development Economics found that investments in high-quality education for rural farm people are crucial to breaking the cycle of low soil health and human capital development. Annual returns to schooling in Malawi were 3-4% after correcting for various factors.
A study of over 420,000 households found that gender inequality is a significant predictor of child physical abuse. High levels of inequality are associated with higher rates of abuse, particularly in situations where women face economic insecurity.
A study published in Nature has identified 61 additional genetic loci associated with stroke and six genes that are potential targets for drug therapy. The research also found a significant overlap between stroke and dementia, suggesting common biology between the two conditions.
Researchers are working on a regulatory science tool based on biomarker data to assess the efficacy of rehabilitative devices for post-stroke motor recovery. The project aims to shed light on how neurological markers can demystify complex neural communication patterns in patients.
A study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya reveals how Airbnb creates and projects the image of tourist destinations, reproducing stereotyped forms of tourism and contributing to overcrowding. The platform's user-generated guides aim to convince tourists to visit a city as if they were residents, but ignore the needs of local communities.
A new study reveals that brand owned social media has a stronger impact on sales than previously thought. To stimulate engagement, brands should focus on emotions in their content, rather than easy-to-measure metrics like likes and comments.
A collection of studies examines how horse owners' behaviors affect equine health, including colic recognition, disease treatment, and vaccination. Disseminating this knowledge could lead to improved veterinary care and positive changes in horse welfare.
The NTU-developed wind harvester generates a voltage of three volts at wind speeds as low as two meters per second, powering commercial sensor devices. The device can also store excess charge for extended periods in the absence of wind, serving as an alternative to smaller lithium-ion batteries.
A study found that excessive physical activity during adolescence is associated with abnormal leg alignment, which can develop into a physiological adaptation to load where the shin bone meets the knee. This abnormal alignment may increase the risk of future injuries and osteoarthritis if modified during critical periods of growth.
A new study found that a protein called apoptosis inhibitor five (API5) protects most people with the mutation linked to Crohn's disease from developing the illness. Norovirus infection blocks API5 production in mice with Crohn's, killing gut-lining cells and tipping the balance towards autoimmune disease.
A new screening test App can produce accurate results using just people's voice recordings, improving the management of Parkinson's disease and severe COVID-19. The smartphone App takes just 10 seconds to reveal whether a person may have Parkinson’s disease and should be referred to a neurologist.
Researchers have developed an RNA-based editing tool that targets individual cells, enabling precise modification of cell functions to manage diseases. The tool uses the ADAR enzyme to selectively add proteins of interest, offering endless potential applications across the animal kingdom.
Researchers aim to create a unified database network for battery data, facilitating AI analysis and predictions. The Battery Data Genome will collect data across the entire battery lifecycle, from discovery to deployment, with uniform standards for metadata.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a radioactive demyelination tracer that can be detected by PET scans. The tracer was found to be safe and well-tolerated in healthy volunteers, but cleared from circulation faster than expected.
A US study found that mothers' consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with an increased risk of overweight or obesity in their offspring. The study suggests refining dietary guidelines and removing financial and social barriers to improve nutrition for women of childbearing age.
Particle radioactivity from radon in air pollution increases toxicity and risk of death from cardiovascular disease, especially from heart attack and stroke. Researchers used spatiotemporal predictions to estimate exposure and found that higher gross beta-activity levels increased the risk of death from these conditions.
Researchers at KFE and SNU discovered a new high-temperature plasma operating mode called 'FIRE mode' that improves plasma performance without ELMs. This breakthrough is expected to facilitate the development of commercial fusion reactors.
EURISCO is an international aggregated database documenting over 2 million plant genetic resources across 6,737 genera and 45,175 species. The catalogue provides a central entry point for information on crop diversity, facilitating access to data on crop improvement programmes.
LSU Health New Orleans has been awarded $4.6 million to develop a Burn Prehospital Provider Program, which will provide education and training for military and civilian healthcare providers in different environments. The program aims to improve burn injury care before patients reach a hospital.
Scientists have devised a simple method using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) directed evolution to improve enzyme engineering. This approach can help develop engineered enzymes that can break down plastic and toxic waste, reducing environmental harm.
Researchers have used single-cell sequencing to uncover novel gene expression patterns in injured kidney cells, providing new avenues for biomarker discovery and treatment. The studies reveal that epithelial cells of all tubule segments are involved in the injury processes, with distinct molecular patterns across patients.
Researchers identified 39 wild edible plant species in Türkiye with high mineral content, particularly iron, zinc, and calcium. These findings highlight the link between local biodiversity and food and nutrition security, informing policy platforms and promoting youth engagement in foraging traditions.
MUSC researcher Joe Delaney, Ph.D., is awarded $453,000 to investigate aneuploidy in ovarian cancer. His project aims to target the cadmium response pathway and develop a new type of cancer drug for patients.
A new study found that younger women hospitalized with heart attacks had a significantly higher prevalence of cardiac risk factors and comorbidities compared to younger men. This led to higher rehospitalization rates and all-cause readmission rates, emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts to improve prevention strategies.
A team of researchers developed a power sector model to analyze pathways to full independence from Russian natural gas imports. The study found that Europe can eliminate reliance on Russian gas by augmenting REPowerEU plans with temporary boosts in coal and recalibrated gas storage.
Researchers from UTHSC and EPFL identified genetic determinants of longevity, with sex-specific regions and non-genetic effects like early growth and access to food affecting lifespan. The study provides a basis for future therapies targeting aging genes and enhancing healthspan.
Researchers are recruiting over 1500 UK participants to study the genetic basis of stammering. The largest study of its kind hopes to identify genes linked to the condition and develop new therapies targeting the underlying causes.
Scientists at Heidelberg University have identified a second stem cell population in the mouse brain, which is primarily involved in producing new neurons in the olfactory bulb. This discovery refutes the single stem cell type theory and suggests that both apical and basal stem cells are responsible for adult neurogenesis.
A new study has identified 195 previously unknown nectar plants for the painted lady butterfly, providing a source of food in Southern California. The research suggests that droughts may impact the butterflies' ability to reproduce, but the discovery of these nectar plants offers hope for their survival.