The MICROSCOPE satellite has confirmed the equivalence principle with unprecedented accuracy, supporting Einstein's general relativity. The result shows that any deviation in acceleration is less than 1 part in 10^15, ruling out some candidate universal theories of physics.
Researchers have discovered a 380-million-year-old heart and surrounding organs in an ancient fish, providing new insights into the evolution of human bodies. The discovery, published in Science, found that the position of organs in the body is similar to modern shark anatomy.
Research found that human brain hemispheres have distinct functional patterns, with regions on the left and right sides specialized for different tasks. Individual differences in these arrangements were heritable, suggesting genetic influence, while environmental factors also play a role. The study also compared humans to monkeys, find...
A recent study analyzing COVID-19 vaccination rates in New York City schools reveals significant disparities based on race and ethnicity. The research also highlights geographical variations in vaccination rates across the city.
Researchers have discovered a way to electrically control the exchange bias effect in FePS3–Fe5GeTe2 van der Waals heterostructures. By introducing protons into the interface, they were able to switch the exchange bias effect on and off. The findings have significant implications for the development of spintronics devices.
A NIH-funded team developed a method to evaluate how mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 N protein affect recognition by antibodies used in rapid antigen tests. The study found that none of the major past and present variants of concern contain N protein mutations affecting diagnostic antibody performance.
Researchers at Emory University used machine learning and fMRI to analyze a dog's brain activity while watching videos. The results show that dogs are more attuned to actions in their environment than to who or what is performing the action. This study offers proof of concept for decoding canine visual perception.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed a new immunotherapy strategy to eliminate fibroblasts in targeted manner, reducing lung and liver fibrosis in mice. The treatment triggers an immune response via cytotoxic T-cells, eliminating activated connective tissue cells while leaving resting cells undamaged.
Researchers at Cleveland Clinic's FRIC found that cytoskeleton disruption is a key signal for the body to respond to viruses. This discovery has potential implications for developing new anti-viral vaccines and treatments.
Diatoms have a complex pathway to produce the brown pigment fucoxanthin, which enables efficient light harvesting during photosynthesis. The discovery provides new insights into the synthesis of this important pigment, with potential applications in biotechnology and ecology.
Researchers have identified a new-to-science species of octopus, Callistoctopus xiaohongxu, found in the southeast waters of China. The species has distinctive smooth skin and reddish-brown coloration, making it a significant discovery for cephalopod diversity in Chinese waters.
The Wasatch Transportation Academy provides community members with knowledge and tools to get involved in transportation decision-making. Key findings include a high degree of satisfaction among participants, who reported increased engagement in various transportation-related activities after taking part in the academy.
Researchers at UNSW Sydney discovered that T cells use mechanical forces to propel lytic granules towards cancer cell membranes. The study found that the shape of the target membrane plays a crucial role in T cell-mediated cancer cell killing, with a bias towards outwardly curved membranes.
A new study reveals that androgen receptor inhibitors can fundamentally rewire prostate tumors, making them more aggressive. The researchers found that most tumors remain fuel-dependent after treatment, but a small percentage convert to double-negative prostate cancer.
Researchers at the Regenstrief Institute have co-developed a new brief screening tool to measure patient-reported symptoms of TMD. The TMD-7 scale will help clinicians manage debilitating symptoms associated with the condition, which is often misunderstood and undertreated.
This study introduces a robust electrochemical strategy using Co3O4 nanoneedle arrays to simultaneously recover water and generate high-purity hydrogen from wastewater. The membrane electrode exhibits superior decontamination efficiency and stability, overcoming diffusion limitations of traditional plate electrodes.
A research team studied recent advances in perovskite photovoltaic modules, focusing on coating methods and growth regulation for high-quality films. The study aids researchers working towards commercialization of these promising photovoltaic technology.
Researchers found no significant difference in pain levels between children who received ibuprofen and those who received a placebo before stent removal. Only 7% of pediatric patients reported severe pain following the procedure, compared to 55% of adults.
The MEMEX project promotes social cohesion by using AI and interactive tools to share community stories linked to cultural heritage. The exhibition features audio-visual stories from Lisbon, Barcelona, Paris, and Genoa participants who co-created their own digital content.
Schwann cells in nerve healing take over immune cell functions to prevent excessive tissue damage and promote regeneration. Similarly, they may stop chronic inflammation in childhood nerve tumors, making them benign. Schwann cells can also regulate T-cell activity, potentially curbing cancer growth.
A new study reveals that young people, refugees, and older adults with limited resources perceive their health and wellbeing capabilities as weak. The capability framework shows a strong impact of individual factors and structural factors on perceived wellbeing.
A systematic review of 107 studies found that high intake of whole grains, fibre, fish and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is associated with a lower risk of death in adults with type 2 diabetes. Adding these foods to a diet can reduce the risk of premature death by up to 16%.
A 12-month video-based weight loss programme has shown significant improvements in metabolic health and dietary behaviour among children with obesity. The study, presented at the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology Meeting, found that participants lost weight and made better food choices.
Researchers from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology developed a method to control active layer morphology in organic solar cells using water treatment. This approach led to more uniform thin films and higher power conversion efficiencies compared to non-treated samples. The study paves the way for large-scale, efficient organi...
Researchers Susanne Horn and Jonathan Aurnou have refined and expanded upon Elbert's original predictions about the generation of planetary magnetic fields. They predict different regimes of convective behavior when subject to both rotation and magnetic fields, making new predictions for planetary and stellar magnetic field generation.
Scientists at Duke-NUS Medical School have discovered the critical role of small microproteins in assembling larger protein complexes inside energy-generating cell components known as mitochondria. The study highlights how microproteins regulate energy supply and mitigate mitochondrial dysfunction, a feature underlying various diseases.
Researchers create a new kind of nanozyme that can be triggered by near-infrared light to kill cancer cells through a synergistic cascade mechanism. The nanozyme generates hydroxyl radicals and oxidative stress, enhancing the therapeutic effect of chemodynamic therapy.
A team of EMBL researchers used data from over 300 human faecal microbiota transplants to investigate the ecological understanding of what happens when two gut microbiomes clash together. The study found that species richness and how different a recipient's gut microbiome is from a donor's are key factors in determining which microorga...
Researchers developed an AI diagnostic tool called CheXzero that can detect diseases on chest X-rays from natural-language descriptions contained in accompanying clinical reports. The model performed on par with human radiologists and was trained without laborious human annotation of data, making it a major advance in clinical AI design.
A team of scientists has solved the structure of cystinosin and determined how mutations interfere with its normal function. This provides insights into the underlying mechanisms and suggests a way to develop new treatments for the devastating genetic disease.
A synthetic prophylactic gel developed at KTH Royal Institute of Technology has shown promising results in lab tests, with a 70% effectiveness rate against HIV and an 80% effectiveness rate against herpes.
Researchers at Kyoto University designed a shared-laughter AI system to build empathy into dialogue between robots and humans. The system was tested on the Japanese android Erica, performing better than baseline models in evaluating empathy, naturalness, and human-likeness.
A recent study found that a quarter of Australians have a human-centric relationship with nature and a strong desire to protect the environment. This challenges the stereotype that right-leaning voters care less about taking steps to protect the environment and its biodiversity.
A new study by San Diego State University analyzed 332,277 TripAdvisor guest reviews and found that designated smoking and non-smoking rooms are insufficient for protecting guests from thirdhand smoke. Hotels that adopted 100% smoke-free policies had significantly fewer complaints related to tobacco pollution.
A study from USC Dornsife reveals that moral values, including care, fairness, loyalty, authority, and purity, predict regional differences in COVID-19 vaccination rates. Counties with residents prioritizing purity were less likely to be vaccinated, while those emphasizing loyalty and fairness had higher vaccination rates.
Researchers have found that nanoplastics can enter human liver and lung cells, disrupting their regular processes and causing inflammation, toxicity, and neurological changes. The study reveals that nanoplastics can alter metabolic pathways, including the production of reactive oxygen species and nucleotides.
A study published in Nature Medicine found that higher levels of microbiota engraftment correlate with better clinical responses to FMT. The research used genomic sequencing and AI to analyze over 1,300 gut samples from donors and patients with various diseases.
Researchers developed an open-source tool set to analyze river longitudinal profiles using Matlab scripts. The tool integrates functions for drainage basin calibration, channel steepness estimation, and paleo-channel profile projection, providing insights into tectonic activity and uplift rates.
A large-scale international study has identified dozens of gut bacteria associated with multiple sclerosis, revealing potential new mechanisms for disease development and treatment response. The study also found geographical location and participant's disease status as significant factors influencing gut microbiome variations.
Indiana University's Roger Innes leads a $1.2 million research grant project to create Fusarium Head Blight-resistant wheat and barley using genome editing techniques. The goal is to reduce dependence on environmentally damaging pesticides and increase crop yields.
A new study found that teenagers' exploration of their environment is associated with enhanced psychological well-being and larger social networks. Higher levels of exploration are also linked to increased risk-taking behaviors.
The Bioteque computational tool integrates vast amounts of biological data, providing insights into gene functions, protein interactions, and disease connections. By analyzing over 30 million functional interactions, the tool can predict drug sensitivity and accelerate biomedical research.
Non-traditional lifestyle interventions, such as physical activity, sleep habits and nutrition, can effectively reduce depressive symptoms in adolescents. These interventions are cost-effective, versatile, and can be implemented by both licensed and non-licensed providers.
The Rising Black Scientists Awards has expanded its scope to include the physical, earth and environmental sciences, with key support from the Elsevier Foundation. Winners will receive $10,000 to support their research and a $500 travel grant.
Researchers have created the first charts of Antarctic ocean temperatures over the past 45 million years using molecular fossils and machine learning. The study suggests that the planet is nearing a 'tipping point' where ocean warming caused by CO2 will lead to catastrophic sea level rises.
A recent study found that the immune response to COVID-19 booster vaccination decreases over five months, with a slower decline in antibody levels after the third dose compared to the second. The neutralizing response to the Omicron variant was also found to be lower than other variants of concern.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that people with hospital-treated infections in early- and mid-life had a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The research analyzed data on over 291,000 cases and matched controls to identify the association between infections and neurodegenerativ...
A new review highlights the need for more research on the effects of wildfires on water quality in watersheds. The study found that pollutants from burned structures can exceed regulatory limits and affect the surrounding ecosystem, leading to increased risk of water contamination.
Researchers at UT Southwestern have identified a gene therapy target for polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which could lead to the arrest or cure of the condition. By blocking the inhibition of PKD1 and PKD2 gene expression, the researchers found that kidney cyst growth was hindered in ADPKD models.
A new study suggests that Saturn's tilted axis is due to the loss of an ancient moon, Chrysalis, which collided with the planet around 160 million years ago. The collision caused the satellite to break apart, releasing fragments that formed the planet's rings and leaving Saturn out of Neptune's gravitational resonance.
The Stevens ACES program has been awarded a $750,000 grant to expand its STEM education initiatives in underserved communities. The program provides full-tuition scholarships and academic support to high school students from these communities, with a remarkable success record for inspiring students to pursue STEM careers.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma and Iowa State University are exploring a four-year project to create carbon-neutral or carbon-negative hydrogen energy by converting methane into solid carbon. The team aims to create new value from the byproduct, solid carbon, which could benefit society in various ways.
A recent study led by Veronika Somoza found that egg powder is a valuable source of essential nutrients, including vitamins and indispensable amino acids. The researchers discovered that the drying process did not lead to contamination with heavy metals and that egg powder can provide up to 61% of a child's daily requirement for selenium.
Peng Hailin's group reports a novel dielectric material, β-Bi2SeO5, with excellent insulativity and high dielectric constant. The ultrathin single-crystalline dielectric can be scaled down to an EOT of 0.41 nm in two-dimensional field-effect transistors, meeting the requirements of the International Roadmap for Devices and Systems.
A large-scale experimental study by Harvard, Stanford, and MIT researchers found that weaker social connections on LinkedIn have a greater beneficial effect on job mobility than stronger ties. Weaker ties increased the likelihood of job mobility the most, while strongest ties had the least impact.
Researchers found a remarkable record of how the East Antarctic Ice Sheet responded to changes in climate over 100,000 years, with cycles of melting and freezing driven by Southern Ocean temperatures. The study provides new insights into the sensitivity of the ice sheet to small, short-term climate fluctuations.
Researchers have developed a new error correction technique called MBE-CQEC, which uses continuous measurement to detect and correct quantum errors. This approach is potentially powerful for quantum computers, but still requires experimental validation and has limitations as the number of qubits increases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) strongly recommends against the use of sotrovimab and casirivimab-imdevimab in COVID-19 patients due to their limited effectiveness against currently circulating variants, such as Omicron. In contrast, remdesivir is recommended for severe COVID-19 cases with a modest survival benefit.
The Van Andel Institute has been awarded a five-year contract to continue serving as the biorepository for the Cancer Moonshot Biobank study. The institute will assemble and distribute kits to collect tumor tissue, blood, and other biospecimens from over 1,000 participants, contributing to a greater understanding of cancer.
Adults with ADHD are more than twice as likely to develop at least one cardiovascular disease compared to those without the condition. The study found that ADHD is an independent risk factor for a wide range of cardiovascular diseases, including cardiac arrest and peripheral vascular diseases.