Forests face risks from climate change in three dimensions: carbon storage, biodiversity, and forest loss from disturbances. The study found higher risks in southern boreal forests and drier regions of the Amazon and African tropics.
Researchers sequenced 2,574 pediatric ALL patient samples, identifying 376 significantly mutated genes that potentially drive cancer development. The study provides a foundational guide for physicians and scientists to understand disease development and improve treatment outcomes.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University found that high levels of horizontal gene transfer help keep microbiomes stable and efficient, allowing for the creation of bespoke systems for environmental cleanup and biofuel production. The study suggests a dynamic division of labor among microorganisms enables robustness and flexibility.
Microbes play a crucial role in mineral formation and weathering processes. Minerals, on the other hand, provide essential nutrients and shelter for microbial life.
QUT researchers have developed an unprecedented methodology for producing microspheres using sunlight, providing a sustainable solution for various industries. This breakthrough is the result of over a decade of research into the power of light to create molecules.
A new bidimensional semiconductor shows the highest nonlinear optical efficiency over nanometer thicknesses, enabling smaller devices with potential for compact phase-matched and waveguided nonlinear optics.
The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior has awarded its top honors for 2022 to researchers who developed innovative programs and interventions to promote healthy eating habits. The awards recognize the excellence of articles, research briefs, and educational materials published in the journal.
A systematic review of twenty-three studies suggests that sonographers can positively enhance parents' feelings towards their unborn baby by making imaging examinations a truly parent-centred experience. This approach can allay feelings of anxiety and stress in parents, helping them feel more informed and reassured about the health and...
Researchers have identified eight new species of tiny brown geckos in Madagascar's rainforests, expanding our understanding of their distribution and evolution. The discovery highlights the importance of continued sampling across the region to uncover new species.
A new study published in Earth Science Frontiers reveals that lacustrine shale oil reserves in China have significant potential to shape energy security and geopolitics. The research identifies optimal conditions for shale oil accumulation, including high organic content and thermal maturity, as well as characteristics of these deposits.
Scientists have developed a new method to distinguish between normal land structures and small asteroid craters by analyzing charcoal samples, revealing 30% of impact sites remain unlocated. The study found unique characteristics in impact charcoals that differ from wildfire charcoals.
Researchers at KU Leuven have developed a new model of human extraembryonic mesoderm cells, which closely resemble their natural counterparts in early embryos. This breakthrough enables scientists to study processes previously inaccessible during development.
A study by University of Basel researchers found that insufficient insulin production contributes to overweight, challenging the long-held belief that poor nutrition and lack of exercise cause weight gain. The research revealed a key enzyme's role in hormone activation, leading to severe hunger and obesity.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched a $3 million challenge competition to encourage community-based and advocacy organizations to develop infrastructure for conducting maternal health research. The challenge aims to address racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in maternal health outcomes.
A new study found that exposure to diesel exhaust fumes had more pronounced effects on females than males, with changes in blood components related to inflammation, infection, and cardiovascular disease. The research involved ten healthy volunteers who breathed filtered air and polluted air at varying concentrations.
A multi-institute team used BGI Stereo-seq technology to create a single-cell resolution spatiotemporal map of salamander brain development, revealing key neural stem cell subsets and dynamic changes in spatial distribution. The study provides new ideas and guidance for regenerative medicine in the mammalian nervous system.
The current Medicaid sterilization waiting period for females is clinically unjustifiable, according to the authors, who argue for its revision. The US healthcare industry contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, with a data-driven action plan proposed for carbon reduction.
A new study reveals that the emergence of a new gene called PGBD1 is linked to the evolution of a new structure in nerve cells. PGBD1 controls paraspeckles, tiny structures that act like traps for RNAs and proteins, and its regulation is crucial for nerve cell development.
A new study reveals how a rare genetic mutation affects an enzyme involved in learning and memory, leading to enhanced activation and potential treatment options. Researchers have developed a method of protein analysis that enabled them to identify a potential treatment using existing medicine.
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet and others characterized the new omicron variant BA.2.75, comparing its ability to evade antibodies against current and previous variants. The study found that BA.2.75 has approximately the same level of resistance to antibodies as the dominant variant BA.5.
Researchers suggest a new approach for regulating genetically engineered (GE) crops by examining the specific characteristics of the crop itself. The '-omics' methods can be used to scan new crop varieties for unexpected DNA changes, eliminating the need for safety testing if the product is substantially equivalent to existing varieties.
The expanded 1000 Genomes Project resource now includes nearly all parent-child trios alongside the original samples, sequenced at high coverage using Illumina NovaSeq instruments. This comprehensive analysis presents significant improvements in variant calls, especially among rare SNVs, INDELs, and SVs.
Researchers identified critical period plasticity in the amygdala that can be treated with therapeutic intervention at key developmental time points. Early pharmacological intervention was shown effective in reducing fear-learning in the mouse model.
When humans are exposed to ozone indoors, they produce highly reactive hydroxyl (OH) radicals that oxidize pollutant gases. The human body is a chemical reactor consuming or producing oxidants and oxidized species, similar to how Earth interacts with the atmosphere.
The new photodetector design combines long-range transport of optical energy with long-range conversion to electrical current, mimicking the photosynthetic complexes found in plants. The device can gather light from areas of about 0.01 mm² and achieve conversion of light to electrical current over exceptionally long distances of 0.1 nm.
A UBC Okanagan study found that commercial weight management programs are more effective than DIY approaches in helping people lose weight. Participants who used a commercially available program lost over twice as much weight and had better success rates, including improved blood pressure and waist circumference.
A new study from Lehigh University found that social, economic, and demographic factors can predict an individual's propensity to engage in high-risk behaviors that expose them to Ebola spillover. The research identified young adults and those with agricultural jobs as the most at risk populations.
Researchers at HHMI's Janelia Research Campus have discovered a new type of synapse between neurons and their primary cilia, which allows for long-term changes in the cell's chromatin. This discovery could help scientists better understand how cells communicate and may lead to the development of more selective medications.
A new study suggests that prediction markets could improve climate risk forecasts by incentivizing experts to share information. The markets would offer a level playing field for diverse expertise and provide a structured way to distribute research funding, promoting effective altruism.
Researchers developed a methodology to forecast outbreaks of pathogens such as coronavirus and monkeypox, identifying host species at risk of infection. The machine-learning approach analyzes variables like location and climate to predict community hot spots at risk.
Researchers at Shibaura Institute of Technology developed an optimized recipe to retain superconductivity in bulk MgB2 by enhancing its critical current density. By combining sintering conditions with controlled addition of nanometer-sized amorphous boron and dysprosium oxide, the team achieved a superior critical current density.
A majority of early career scientists from underrepresented backgrounds experience psychological distress due to social unrest caused by systemic racism. However, the study found that mentoring relationships have a positive impact on their well-being.
A new study reveals that ant queens implement a dual-control system for insulin to promote egg development while slowing down the aging process. This unique mechanism allows ants to live longer and reproduce more effectively, unlike other animals.
Research on queen ants found altered insulin signaling allows them to live long and reproduce millions of eggs. This pathway may inhibit the AKT protein, enabling queens to thrive despite high reproductive demands.
A new study proposes a method of foam stabilization that could be used to make highly efficient hand sanitizers. The team added an anionic surfactant, long-chain alcohols, and an inorganic electrolyte to an aqueous solution containing 60% ethanol by volume.
Researchers established a novel strategy to treat Huntington's disease by converting the disease-causing form of the huntingtin protein into its disease-free form. This process maintains the original function of the protein, offering a new approach to tackle the neurodegenerative disorder.
Researchers used geospatial big data to analyze Black-owned restaurants' performance during the pandemic. They found that Black-owned restaurants experienced greater disparities in lost patronage compared to other restaurants.
The article emphasizes the need to incorporate Indigenous self-determination into research, respecting knowledge, ethics, and processes. This move aims to address historical injustices and promote more equitable health research practices.
Researchers developed a new machine-learning method to understand force chains in jammed granular solids. The graph neural network approach can predict the position of force chains with high accuracy, even for complex systems and varying conditions.
Researchers found that GnRH therapy improved cognitive function in male patients with Down syndrome, reversing olfactory and cognitive defects. The treatment did not affect olfaction but increased cognitive performance in all but one participant.
A third vaccine dose offers better protection against Omicron infection and hospitalization compared to two doses. The study found that a third dose maintained longer protection against infection for a longer time.
Queen ants live much longer than workers by generating an anti-insulin protein that blocks aging pathways. This protein enables pseudoqueens, female worker ants that become queens, to reproduce and live longer without aging.
Two papers published in Nature Plants unveil the first full-length genomes for homosporous ferns, a group containing 99% of modern fern diversity. The Ceratopteris genome suggests that ferns stole genes from bacteria for anti-herbivory toxins.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that patient education and nurse performance feedback can significantly reduce missed or refused doses of VTE-preventing drugs. The interventions resulted in a 36% drop in missed doses, with the patient education bundle showing a 44% reduction.
A Saint Louis University researcher has identified a potential treatment for 'chemo-brain', a debilitating side effect of chemotherapy that affects patients' quality of life. The treatment targets the molecular events underlying this deficit and repurposes an already-approved FDA drug to reduce cognitive impairment.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys have shown that inhibiting a key metabolic enzyme selectively kills melanoma cells and stops tumor growth. The study identifies GCDH as the crucial enzyme in metabolizing lysine and tryptophan, amino acids essential for human health.
A new study links historic redlining and ongoing segregation by race and income to a higher rate of nonfatal shootings in Baltimore's most disadvantaged neighborhoods. The researchers found that doubly disadvantaged neighborhoods experienced 24 more nonfatal shootings per 10,000 residents compared to sustainably advantaged neighborhoods.
UPF researchers used the principles of the second law of thermodynamics to understand and model different brain states. By quantifying the hierarchy of brain function, they developed a robust biomarker that distinguishes between conscious and unconscious states.
A study found that overweight patients are more inclined to disagree with their healthcare providers on weight loss and lifestyle advice. Disagreement was particularly pronounced for advice given by doctors on weight and lifestyle issues, with overweight patients more likely to disagree.
A new DNA-based fluorescence technique using single-molecule electron-transfer kinetics can identify point mutations in mRNA, facilitating the diagnosis of gliomas and potentially treating the disease. This breakthrough may lead to real-time cancer diagnostics during surgical biopsies, reducing the need for multiple surgeries.
A Kennesaw State University assistant professor of biology is studying how urbanization affects heavy metal concentrations in starlings. Preliminary data suggests that starlings nesting at urban sites have higher lead concentrations, which could provide insights into the environmental impact of urbanization.
A review of 14 studies reveals that women who take on more unpaid labor experience increased depressive symptoms and psychological distress. The study highlights the need for greater attention to divide unpaid labor equally between men and women to improve mental health.
Researchers developed a main-group catalyst with atomically dispersed In sites to overcome the trade-off between conversion and selectivity in oxidative dehydrogenation. The novel catalyst achieved over 80% C2H4 selectivity, outperforming existing transition metal oxide catalysts.
Research confirms ethnicity as a key risk factor for kidney disease in people with Type 1 diabetes, particularly among African-Caribbean individuals. The study found nearly 60% greater risk of advanced kidney disease in this population.
Researchers have genetically engineered yeast to produce vindoline and catharanthine, the precursors to vinblastine, a widely used anti-cancer drug. This breakthrough may lead to new sources of these compounds and reduce dependence on plant farming and logistics challenges.
A study of 690 young children found that many had asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections, which did not correlate with viral load. The findings suggest that relying on symptom screening may not be enough to control outbreaks in this age group.
Researchers at Washington University have developed a hydrogel system that preserves biochemistry and mechanical environments of cultured podocyte cells. This allows researchers to identify new ways to control mechanisms used by cells to heal themselves, potentially leading to therapies for currently incurable diseases.
Researchers found a strong association between high ultra-processed food consumption and colorectal cancer risk in men, particularly those consuming processed meats. In contrast, no link was found for women, suggesting potential sex differences in the relationship between diet and cancer risk.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed a computer model to predict enzyme efficiency. This helps find efficient cell factories for producing biotech products like biofuels and medicines, and studies difficult diseases.
A large retrospective study found that visceral fat area from fully automated and normalized abdominal CT analysis predicts subsequent myocardial infarction or stroke in Black and White patients. The study suggests that body composition analysis using machine learning could be widely adopted to add prognostic utility to clinical practice.