A POSTECH research team developed a new polymer electrolyte with different functional groups, resolving contradictions in mechanical strength and conductivity. This breakthrough enables the creation of artificial muscles that can produce fast switching and great strength.
Researchers at the University of Connecticut have developed a potential breakthrough treatment for rotator cuff tears, using an advanced polymer to stimulate regeneration of both the tendon and muscle. This approach addresses the real problem of muscle degeneration and fat accumulation that often leads to re-injury after surgery.
Researchers build on Peter Bergmann and Arthur Komar's work using Hamilton-Jacobi techniques to resolve the ambiguity in time development, a key challenge in reconciling general relativity with quantum mechanics. This approach deserves more recognition for its potential to lead to an eventual theory of quantum gravity.
The Princeton Sorensen lab has developed a concise synthesis of pleurotin, a molecule with potential therapeutic properties as an anti-cancer agent and antibiotic. The new synthesis reduces the total number of steps needed from 26 to 13, making it a promising lead for expanding the class of pleurotin-based anticancer agents.
The study found that Al-Qaeda, Taliban, and TTP use situational comedy to galvanize curious individuals and emphasize an 'us versus them' mentality. In contrast, ISIS uses dehumanising humour to mock rivals and create a shared identity among followers. This humour helps foster internal cohesion and creates social bonding.
A Kaiser Permanente study of over 250,000 patients found that those infected with COVID-19 used more healthcare services in the 6 months following their infection. The study revealed a 4% increase in encounters, including virtual visits and emergency department visits, resulting in over 27,000 extra encounters.
Researchers developed a high-throughput spheroid-based migration assay using tissue-mimicking ECM to accurately recreate cell migration. This new method enables studying of cell motility and cancer metastasis, potentially benefiting cancer research.
A study of 127,000 patients with positive and negative SARS-CoV-2 tests found elevated health care use six months post-infection. This suggests that healthcare systems should consider long-term strategic planning to address expected increased use.
The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with small but significant increases in pregnancy-related complications and maternal death during delivery hospitalization. The number of live births also decreased by 5.2% during this period.
A Soochow University team has developed cobalt copper alloy catalysts that deliver outstanding methane activity and selectivity in electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction. By modulating the cobalt doping concentration, they achieved a remarkable Faradaic efficiency of 60% to methane at high operating current densities.
Researchers developed nanometric photodiodes that can bind to nerve cell surfaces and activate them with infrared light, allowing for selective stimulation of individual neurons. This technology has the potential to study the nervous system in-depth and develop targeted therapies for neurological diseases.
A new method to improve solid-state hydrogen fuel cell charging times has been developed by researchers from the University of Technology Sydney. The study used a semi-cylindrical coil heat exchanger, which significantly improved heat transfer performance and reduced charging time by 59%. This innovation has the potential to revolution...
A new model suggests Antarctica's ice shelves are melting at an accelerated rate due to the Antarctic Coastal Current. Freshwater from melting ice can trap warm ocean water beneath the shelves, causing them to melt further. This mechanism could increase sea level rise predictions by up to 40%.
A study by the University of Göttingen and Malagasy universities found that vanilla plantations on fallow land have similar yields to those in forests while increasing biodiversity. This sustainable approach helps smallholder farmers secure their income, highlighting a win-win opportunity for both economy and conservation.
The Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation's CDI laboratory has identified critical regulators controlling T-cell homeostasis. The findings could lead to improved cancer therapies and vaccines of the future by modulating the human immune system.
A powerful Mongolian cyclone developed into a typhoon-strength storm due to favorable topography and low-frequency circulation conditions. The study found that the downward transfer of eddy kinetic energy played a key role in strengthening the cyclone.
Researchers developed a broadly neutralizing antibody that neutralized all currently known SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron strains. The antibody works differently from existing antibodies and prevents the virus from fusing with host cells.
A study found that prolonged mental labor leads to glutamate accumulation in the prefrontal cortex, causing cognitive fatigue and altering control over decisions. Researchers suggest taking rest and sleep as a solution to overcome this limitation.
This special collection of articles explores the 'dark side' of Alzheimer's Disease, revealing new biomarkers for brain hyperexcitability and its impact on vigilance and sleep-wake cycle. The findings provide a foundation for an extended model to speed up research lines and discovery.
Researchers found compact fragments in the Aguas Zarcas meteorite that wouldn't break apart, leading to CT scans revealing deformed rocks with the same orientation. The team proposed a hypothesis that asteroids 'spit out' pebbles due to high-speed collisions and thermal cycling, which can cause rock brittleness.
A team of scientists at DGIST developed a dark field super-resolution microscope to observe endosome movement and rotation in real-time. The technology allows for the analysis of endosome behavior, shedding light on intracellular transport mechanisms.
Astronomers have concluded that Betelgeuse blew its top in 2019, losing a substantial part of its visible surface and producing a gigantic Surface Mass Ejection (SME). The star is now slowly recovering from this catastrophic upheaval. The mass loss event is not necessarily the signal of an imminent explosion.
Researchers found that human larynx evolution led to stable voices and controlled pitch without adding new structures. This simplification allowed for the development of complex vocal information, enabling humans to communicate effectively.
Researchers urge healthcare professionals to acknowledge changes in society around anal sex and have open conversations with young women to ensure they make informed choices about sex. Young women cite pleasure, curiosity, and coercion as factors for engaging in anal sex, which is associated with specific health concerns, including fae...
A study of 712 six-year-olds found that 53% met the daily recommended guidelines for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Children became more sedentary after starting formal schooling, but also increased their moderate-to-vigorous activity levels.
Scientists have gained insight into how evolution takes place and how several species evolved from a single one by studying trees found in the Galapagos Islands. The research revealed genetic variations associated with vascular development, growth, adaptation to salinity, and flowering time.
New research from the University of Waterloo suggests that relying on stormwater management ponds to restore wetlands is unsustainable and lacks critical ecosystem services. The study found a low proportion of wetlands left in areas with high pond creation rates, posing an environmental challenge.
Researchers at Duke University have created a lab-made cartilage substitute that is stronger and more durable than natural cartilage. The hydrogel material can withstand even more stress from pulling and squishing, with improved strength and durability compared to previous methods.
A new study suggests that exercise training is crucial for individuals with diet-resistant obesity, improving skeletal muscle metabolism and enhancing weight loss capacity. The research challenges the one-size-fits-all approach to treating obesity and has the potential to help reshape the science of weight-loss programs.
A new animal study finds that testosterone can foster friendly, prosocial behavior in males, in addition to aggression. The hormone appears to help animals rapidly pivot between prosocial and antisocial responses as the social world changes.
A randomized controlled study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that leaving small kidney stones behind significantly increases the risk of relapse. Removal of these secondary stones reduced patients' relapse rate by 82%.
Scientists have designed a series of synthetic genetic circuits that allow them to control plant cell decisions, enabling the creation of more efficient crops. The tools are being tested on tobacco plants and Arabidopsis thaliana to modify root structures and optimize water and nutrient absorption.
Researchers found that smells can enhance or hinder our ability to recognize emotions in others' faces. The study used a spectrum of emotions, from extreme joy to neutral, and measured participants' response times.
A team of researchers at USC has developed a system to quantify and fix anti-queer bias in AI-powered text prediction. By training the popular language model BERT on queer-inclusive data from Twitter and news articles, they significantly reduced biases in predictions, with QueerTwitter showing the most effective results.
A team of researchers has created an online dashboard to track equity requirements in 239 shared micromobility programs across the US. The dashboard provides city officials with valuable insights on best practices for expanding access to these programs, including technology access, reduced fare options, and adaptive vehicles.
A new AI algorithm has been developed to detect subtle brain abnormalities causing epileptic seizures. The Multicentre Epilepsy Lesion Detection project used over 1,000 patient MRI scans to train the algorithm, which was able to detect focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) in 67% of cases. This could lead to more patients being considered for...
A bioengineered cornea made from collagen protein can restore vision in people with diseased corneas, offering an alternative to donated human corneas. The implant has been shown to be safe and effective in a pilot study, with patients regaining perfect vision after two years.
Scientists aim to improve vein health for patients undergoing heart bypass surgery and dialysis. They discovered that two genes play a crucial role in smooth muscle cell differentiation, enabling veins to mature and function like arteries.
A new study from the University of Missouri-Columbia found that American military veterans are less willing to seek treatment for sleep and alcohol use problems compared to physical health issues. Discrimination experiences also play a significant role in reducing treatment-seeking among veterans of color.
Undergraduate students at Ohio University applied kinetic techniques learned in physical chemistry to analyze the COVID-19 spread data from the CDC. They developed a model that considers the effect of vaccination and made predictions for the following months, correctly predicting the surge in cases in Ohio.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have found that combining sound with electrical body stimulation activates the brain's somatosensory cortex, increasing its potential to treat chronic pain. This non-invasive technique has been tested on animals and is planned for human clinical trials in the near future.
A research team led by Lim Sang-kyoo developed a piezoelectric polymer/ceramic composite fiber with controlled cross-sectional form to recycle wasted or consumed energy. The fiber's shape is inspired by flowers and stems, improving its piezoelectric performance.
A new mobile-phone-based therapy has shown clinically significant improvements in patients with tinnitus, offering a promising alternative to existing treatments. The therapy involves a personalized approach combining digital tools and audiologist assessment, with 65% of participants reporting an improvement in just 12 weeks.
A recent study found that social media platforms like Twitter do not accurately reflect the most pressing threats to wild elephant populations, such as habitat loss and human-elephant conflict. Local communities that live with elephants often face resentment due to their safety and livelihoods being at risk.
Researchers have developed new methods to prepare state-of-the-art zeolites with nano-sized dimensions and hierarchical structures, critical for industrial applications. The findings emphasize the importance of smaller size and structure in determining performance.
Research reveals urban bat species have lower echolocation call frequencies, small bodies, and flexible roosting habits compared to rural bats. These traits may make them more adaptable to city life, whereas larger species with high calling frequencies tend to thrive in rural areas.
Researchers radio-tracked migrating hawkmoths for up to 80 kilometers, employing sophisticated flight strategies to counter unfavorable wind conditions. The study confirms that insects can accurately maintain straight trajectories over long distances using internal compasses.
Researchers developed a new enzyme that can degrade poly(ethylene) terephthalate (PET), a common plastic used in bottles. The enzyme, HotPETase, is thermostable and selectively breaks down PET, offering a potential solution to the global plastic waste challenge.
A new AI model has improved the efficiency of cancer diagnosis by reducing costs and time while increasing accuracy. The model uses pathological image compression technology to effectively extract features from images, enabling it to accurately detect cancer sites.
Scientists have developed a smart contact lens that can capture and detect exosomes, nanometer-sized vesicles found in bodily secretions, which hold promise for cancer diagnostics. The lens was designed to bind to antibodies capturing exosomes found in tears, offering a potential platform for non-invasive cancer screening.
Betelgeuse, a bright red supergiant star, experienced a catastrophic Surface Mass Ejection (SME) in 2019, losing a substantial part of its visible surface. The star is now slowly recovering from this event, with astronomers using Hubble data to study the phenomenon and its effects on stellar evolution.
Researchers at MIT develop a new flow model that optimizes individual turbine control to maximize wind farm energy production. The algorithm increases energy output by up to 32% in real-world experiments, with potential gains of over $1 billion per year.
Scientists have found that Anastatus japonicus can be efficiently produced for biological control of the brown marmorated stink bug on kiwifruit crops. The study suggests that large-scale rearing and field release testing are needed to evaluate efficacy and non-target effects.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a synthetic polymer that can remove certain dyes from water, and the polymer can be recovered and reused. The study found that the polymer's ability to remove dyes was dependent on solution pH and topological polar surface area of the dyes.
A new USDA Forest Service study projects that residential structures will continue to increase carbon storage through 2070 and beyond. The research examines how population growth and income can be combined to project rates of new housing construction and its impact on carbon storage in wood products.
Researchers at DGIST and Korea Institute of Industrial Technology developed the world's first eco-friendly microplastic removal technology. The new porous structure-based triboelectric nanogenerator showed a high removal rate of micro-sized microplastics, posing a threat to humans.
Associate Professor Angelina Anani has won a $300,000 career development grant from the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration to support her research on mine planning and operations. She plans to use virtual and augmented reality technologies to optimize industry decisions and minimize risks.
Large carnivorous dinosaurs, such as Tyrannosaurus rex, developed elliptical or oval eye sockets to absorb impact during high-speed bites. Researchers analyzed 500 dinosaur species and found these unique shapes only in large predators with skull lengths over 1m.
Researchers found that bioturbation by fiddler crabs increases soil pH and reduces salinity, creating a more hospitable environment for beneficial bacteria. These bacteria produce essential chemicals for iron trapping, improving mangrove plant growth.
A collaborative university/community model evaluates the impact of disasters on local business owners and identifies actions to increase resiliency. The study found that most businesses took few concrete actions in terms of mitigation and preparedness, highlighting the need for increased awareness and confidence in disaster planning.