A Geisinger study of over 90,000 patients confirmed a strong link between genetics and neuropsychiatric disorders. The research revealed that approximately one in 100 participants carried a rare gene variant increasing the risk for conditions like schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder.
A 10-year study found that aggressive law enforcement tactics can actually increase trade-based money laundering (TBML) in the EU, with up to 11% of all trade involving 'dirty' money
A recent study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya reveals that Spanish citizens have lower vitamin D levels compared to Northern European nations. Despite the importance of this hormone for overall health, supplementation is not commonly practiced in Spain.
Researchers identify CDK4 and filamin proteins as predictors of response to paclitaxel in HER2-negative breast cancer patients. High levels of these proteins are associated with a positive response rate in 90% of cases.
This study explores the molecular mechanisms of steatosis-to-NASH progression using two mouse models and identifies genes, non-coding RNAs, proteins, and plasma metabolites involved. GDF3 is found to be up-regulated in NASH mice and serves as a potential non-invasive diagnostic biomarker for NASH patients.
A new NIH-funded study found a significant treatment gap for individuals with both hepatitis C and alcohol use disorder, highlighting the need for better care coordination. Researchers analyzed data from over 133,000 veterans and found that those with AUD were less likely to receive direct-acting antiviral treatment for HCV.
A new UC Davis study reveals that close to half of the cancer deaths in California over two years (2017-2019) were associated with tobacco use, totaling 93,764 Californians. Tobacco control efforts have contributed to a decline in cancer mortality in California, but quitting is essential for patients with cancer.
A team of researchers has discovered that reactive boron compounds can efficiently target and activate molecular nitrogen, converting it to ammonium chloride at room temperature without metals or hydrogen gas. This radical-based approach opens up possibilities for ammonia production without fossil-based raw materials.
A new study finds higher arsenic and uranium concentrations in public drinking water linked to communities with higher proportions of Hispanic/Latino and American Indian residents. The findings highlight inequalities in public water contaminant exposures affecting regions with more residents from communities of color.
A QUT study found that climate change believing southeast Queensland residents are more divided by socio-economic factors than political views. Climate change deniers predominantly have right-wing perspectives and are older and less educated.
Lei Zhang receives $1 million grant to study epigenomic analysis of premature aging syndromes, exploring DNA damage's role in aging. The award supports GerOmics research, a rapidly evolving field that combines genomics, epigenomics, and other omics disciplines.
Researchers developed a machine learning-based strategy for direct classification of acute aquatic toxicity, explaining 90% of training set variance and 80% of test set variance. The approach resulted in a fivefold decrease in incorrect categorization compared to QSAR regression models.
Inhibiting imitation of others can increase understanding of others by allowing them to recognize facial expressions in others regardless of their situations. Imitation-inhibition training has been shown to enhance the ability to distinguish between oneself and others, as well as increase empathy.
A new study analyzes volcanic rock samples collected in the 1980s to explain the geologic histories of Fiji and Vanuatu. The research attributes their current locations to subduction of the Samoan Seamount Chain, which caused a double-saloon door tectonic event leading to their separation.
A study by Osaka University tracked the survival of antibody-producing plasma cells, finding that most die shortly after immune response, but a small population can survive for months or years. The researchers identified molecular markers distinguishing these long-lived plasma cells from short-lived ones.
Researchers discovered a modified form of an inflammatory immune protein called complement C3 that is present at higher levels in women's brains with Alzheimer's compared to men's. This finding may explain why women are more likely to develop the disease, as estrogen levels drop during menopause and lose their brain-protective effects.
A new study provides insights into which pressures cause damage to plant species, revealing that agricultural activities pose a significant threat across diverse ecosystems. The transformation of production practices can mitigate this risk, reducing extinction rates by up to 54% in Norway.
A new study suggests that existing medicines can prevent long-term damage to the kidney and cardiovascular system caused by acute kidney injury. In mice, endothelin-blocking medicines showed promising results in reducing inflammation, blood pressure, and scarring in the kidney.
A new method for creating freestanding hydrogel lumens that can accurately replicate blood vessels and facilitate vasodilation research. This approach allows researchers to study vasodilation in a more efficient and effective manner, overcoming limitations of existing methods.
Using supercomputers and machine learning, researchers created simulations of millions of computer-generated universes to test astrophysical predictions. The study found that supermassive black holes grow in the same way as their host galaxies, revealing a long-elusive relationship.
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine provided modest short-term protection against Omicron infection among children ages 5 to 11, with higher effectiveness for those with prior infection; a booster dose restored and maintained protection for at least three months.
A new project co-ordinated by Bournemouth University is working with the RNLI and CIPRB to reduce child drownings in Bangladesh. The team will use human-centred design techniques to develop effective interventions for young children, aiming to save many lives.
Research suggests individuals experiencing COVID-19-related chemosensory deficits are more likely to develop high antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2. This study's findings imply a link between impaired senses and robust immune response.
A new study suggests that olfactory viral inflammation may accelerate the onset of Alzheimer's disease by disrupting connections between the sense of smell and memory centers. Researchers found altered myelination in the olfactory tract, leading to inflammation in the hippocampus, which controls memory and learning.
Researchers developed a machine learning model that uses microbiome data from wastewater to estimate the number of individuals represented in a sample. The method was trained on over 1,100 people's samples and can be used to link wastewater properties to individual-level data.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University's Schmidt College of Medicine have developed a handheld ultrasound device to treat neuropathic pain. The device uses low-intensity focused ultrasound to target specific areas of the nervous system, offering a non-invasive and non-opioid-based treatment option.
A Penn Medicine study found that certain gut bacteria produce metabolites that stimulate sensory nerves, increasing dopamine levels in the brain during exercise. This increase reinforces the desire to exercise, boosting performance. The study suggests a new pathway for improving public health and potentially modifying motivation and mood.
A large-scale study revealed that entrepreneurs are less at risk of burnout than salaried employees due to the positive psychological effects of entrepreneurial work. Entrepreneurs show less daily work recovery after regular working hours, indicating a 'positive workaholism'. This leads to a lower risk of burnout and increased happiness.
Researchers have identified a well-concealed genetic variation in the FGF14 gene causing late-onset cerebellar ataxia, a brain disorder affecting coordinated movement. The study's findings could lead to new diagnostic tools and treatments for patients suffering from this condition.
A new project aims to develop a method for producing antimicrobial peptides, which have shown promise in overcoming antibiotic resistance. The peptides' ability to delay microbial resistance development makes them an attractive alternative to conventional antibiotics.
Researchers investigate how lung cancers evade the immune system to develop more effective immunotherapy treatments. The study aims to uncover a new way lung cancers disguise themselves from the immune system, potentially leading to improved treatment outcomes.
The COVID-19 pandemic had significant effects on the lives of older women, including impacts on their health, living situations, lifestyle, healthcare access, and SARS-CoV-2 testing behaviors. Despite experiencing disruptions to daily life, many women showed remarkable resilience.
Researchers design reflection-type polarization-independent phase-controllable anisotropic STCM to realize frequency-polarization-division and space-frequency-polarization-division multiplexed modulation. Experimental validations confirm the practicability of proposed wireless communication architectures, enabling independent and synch...
Researchers confirmed smoking and obesity increase COVID-19 severity, with ACE2 mediating detrimental effects. Lower socioeconomic position also increases COVID-19 risk, highlighting social inequalities.
A new neuronal cell-based reporter system has been developed to identify compounds that inhibit histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) with minimal effect on its partner enzyme HDAC1. This innovation holds promise for dementia drug development by targeting the root cause of memory impairment.
A USTC team has made significant advancements in atomistic neural network (AtNN) representations for chemical dynamics simulations. By decomposing system properties into atomic contributions, AtNN can satisfy different symmetries and periodicities, achieving accurate and efficient molecular dynamics simulations of complex systems.
Research confirms a strong link between four genetic mutations and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare but often fatal brain infection. Patients with these variants are at an increased risk of developing PML, highlighting the potential for genetic screening to reduce disease risk.
A new study reveals that child abuse and neglect are associated with significant excess public hospital costs in South Australia. The research found that individual costs increased with age and severity of abuse or neglect, resulting in an 18% cost penalty on the state's public hospital system.
Researchers studied the photosynthetic antenna of Codium fragile, a marine algae, to understand how it efficiently utilizes weak blue-green light. The study revealed that siphonaxanthin and chlorophyll b play key roles in absorbing green and blue-green light, respectively.
A recent meta-analysis found that humans are currently living an average of 9.7 km away from a natural area, which is 7% further away than in the year 2000. This decline in interactions with nature is primarily driven by urbanization in Europe and East Asia.
Scientists at IRB Barcelona have detailed the atomic scale mechanism of action for FoxH1, a key transcription factor in embryonic development and cancer. The study reveals an unusual binding mechanism to compacted DNA, shedding light on its role in disease progression.
An international team is creating an 'atlas of human impact' to understand how human occupation and land use have affected the Brazilian Atlantic Forest over hundreds of years. The research will inform future conservation efforts for this critically threatened tropical forest.
A new study finds that inadequate pollination leads to a 3-5% loss of fruit, vegetable, and nut production, resulting in 427,000 excess deaths annually from lost healthy food consumption. The health burden is greater in middle- and higher-income countries with high rates of non-communicable diseases.
A new study found that intermittent fasting can lead to complete diabetes remission in people with type 2 diabetes, with 55% of participants discontinuing their medication and maintaining it for at least a year. The study also showed that diabetes medications costs decreased by 77% after intermittent fasting.
Researchers identified a link between skeletal muscle atrophy and the loss of two types of myosin. The study showed that mice lacking these proteins experienced severe muscle atrophy and died within four weeks, providing a potential animal model for treating human muscle-wasting disorders.
Computer simulations demonstrate that chaos plays a crucial role in the emergence of thermodynamic behavior from quantum theory. A quantum system with indistinguishable particles and a thermometer-like particle shows a temperature distribution consistent with Boltzmann's rules only when the system exhibits chaos.
Researchers identified two components of a fruit fly's flight stabilization system responsible for angular displacement and angular velocity. By studying genetically engineered flies with optogenetics and magnetic perturbation, they found that two muscles control pitch, enabling stable flight.
A recent study suggests that stimulating the intersection of two particular brain networks correlated with better patient outcomes than stimulating nearby sites for patients with Alzheimer's disease. Cognitive improvement was associated with DBS to the direct interface between the fornix and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba have developed an optoelectronic resonator that enhances the sensitivity of an electron pulse detector, allowing for ultrafast electronic characterization of proteins or materials. This breakthrough may aid in the study of biomolecules and industrial materials.
Physicists propose new method to confine quarks, which could reveal why matter has mass. The strong force, a fundamental force of nature, is believed to be responsible for this property. By exploring quark confinement, researchers hope to gain insights into the structure of the universe.
A new hotline has shown promising results in preventing overdoses and saving lives by providing virtual supervision for people using substances alone. The National Overdose Response Service received over 2,100 calls from unique callers, with no reported deaths during a pilot period.
Researchers found that surgical risk for COVID patients diminishes with elapsed time from diagnosis, decreasing by half every 100 days and eventually leveling off at around 8% after 400 days. The study's findings suggest that doctors should consider the patient's proximity to COVID when deciding on surgery timing.
A large genome-wide analysis of 633,778 U.S. military veterans identified four genes associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. These findings advance understanding of inherited risk factors in the pathology of suicidal thoughts and actions.
A new study found that wild chimpanzees in Tanzania's savanna-mosaic habitat spent as much time in the trees as those in dense forests. The researchers suggest that bipedalism may have evolved to move around trees, contradicting traditional theories that link open habitats to upright walking.
Researchers developed a method to produce SARS-CoV-2 RBD antigen using bio-engineered plants, offering a scalable solution for diagnostic assays and subunit vaccines. This breakthrough could facilitate large-scale production of antigens, supporting global vaccination efforts.
A new study by researchers at the University of Oxford found that logged rainforests have amplified and diverse ecosystem energetics, supporting similar or greater densities of bird and mammal species. The study challenges the labelling of logged forests as 'degraded' when they are ecologically vibrant.
The expansion of forests in Central Europe, circa 11,000 years ago, led to the decline and eventual extinction of large Ice Age mammals such as mammoth and bison. The growth of trees deprived these herbivores of their main food source, grass.
A study by McGill University researchers found that Northern Tree Shrews' body size increased with warmer climates, contradicting Bergmann's rule. The team analyzed museum specimens and historical climate data, revealing a reversal of the Island rule as well, highlighting the complex interaction between ecological factors.
A recent study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that complete alcohol abstinence significantly reduces complications of liver cirrhosis and increases lifespan in patients with pronounced portal hypertension. Regular medical check-ups are crucial for those affected.
A new study by Penn State scientists found that spotted lanternfly feeding inhibits photosynthesis in young maple trees, potentially impairing growth. The study suggests that management decisions can be made to protect inventories based on the findings.