A study published in PLOS One found that using hand signals, such as waving or raising a hand to show empathy, can improve communication and social connection in online meetings. The research team trained participants to use these gestures, which led to better interaction, increased feelings of closeness, and improved learning outcomes.
A 3D study of a massive electrical discharge in an Oklahoma thunderstorm has provided new information about gigantic jets. The discharge carried 100 times as much electrical charge as typical lightning bolts, and included relatively cool plasma streamers and hot leader structures.
The 2022 Europlanet Science Congress will bring together planetary scientists to discuss life beyond Earth. Over 60 scientific sessions cover topics such as current and upcoming missions, astrobiology, and space weather.
Analysis of 2015-2018 data reveals that 23.3% of hospital admissions of detained immigrants in Louisiana and Texas relate to infectious diseases, while 16.6% arise through psychiatric illness. The study found a significant correlation between immigration detention and increased healthcare utilization.
A recent study investigated the relationship between passive muscle mechanical properties and dynamic performance in athletes. The research found a positive correlation between the shear modulus of the vastus lateralis muscle and performance outcomes during high-speed activities, suggesting that passive muscle properties are essential ...
A new study reveals that air pollution and maternal stress during pregnancy can lead to altered brain development and social behavior in male mice, exhibiting autism-like traits. In contrast, female mice are not affected by these environmental factors.
A recent study published in Nature Scientific Reports has found that women are better at taking over control of automated cars compared to men. The research involved 76 drivers who participated in a driving simulator study and showed that women exhibited faster reaction times and more stable operation of the steering wheel.
The study explores the relationship between cohesion and erosion, revealing a scaling law that can predict erosion thresholds for different grain sizes. This understanding could improve modeling of erosion in various applications, such as soil stability and dust removal from solar panels.
A new study by Tokyo University of Science researchers reveals that dendritic cell immunoreceptor (DCIR) plays a crucial role in the development of colorectal tumors. Blocking DCIR may prevent ulcerative colitis and colon cancer, offering a potential therapeutic target for treating these diseases.
A UMass Amherst team has engineered a biofilm capable of producing electricity from the energy in evaporation and converting it into a steady supply. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize wearable electronics by powering small devices and potentially entire electronic systems.
Researchers discovered that CAMSAP2 proteins utilize phase separation to form an 'aster' structure, which then organizes into a microtubule network. This process is crucial for the formation of specialized cell shapes, such as those found in heart muscle and nerve cells.
Rensselaer researchers propose a sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries by using calcium ions. The new technology has shown promising results in terms of performance and cost efficiency.
A new treatment has shown clinically meaningful effects on pain intensity and disability, with participants reporting improved quality of life and long-term benefits. The sensorimotor retraining approach alters how people think about their body in pain and normalizes communication between the back and brain.
A new study used satellite data to determine the effect of fuel regulations on sulfur pollution from cargo ships. The research team found significant changes in pollution after regulations went into effect, and their data can contribute to understanding how pollutants interact with clouds and affect global temperatures.
Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a novel method to measure oxygen concentration in high-temperature environments without physical contact. The method uses a phosphorescent material that varies its phosphorescence depending on the surrounding oxygen concentration.
A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that vaccine uptake was low among First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Toronto and London, Ontario. The rate for 2-dose vaccination among First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Toronto was 58%, compared to 79% for the overall population.
A pooled data analysis found that experience of race discrimination is associated with a heightened risk of premature birth and low birthweight. The study highlights the importance of addressing racism in healthcare to improve health outcomes for marginalized communities.
A new study from Penn State and Northwestern University finds that avoiding tap water is associated with a 20-30% increase in food insecurity among Americans. Tap water avoidance can divert funds meant for nutritious food, leading to higher reliance on prepackaged and restaurant food.
A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that sustained low wages during working years are associated with significantly faster memory decline in older age. Low-wage earners experienced approximately one excess year of cognitive aging per a 10-year period compared to those who never earned low wages.
A recent study has highlighted the need for regulation of flavor chemicals and synthetic coolants in Puff electronic cigarettes due to their high levels of toxicity. The researchers found that the chemicals in disposable Puff ECs are at high levels and cytotoxic, posing a risk to public health.
Researchers at KAUST have found that molybdenum plays a central role in electrochemical hydride transfer, a process for producing valuable chemicals or carbon-free fuels. The discovery could enable more sustainable production of sustainable fuels and chemicals.
A large multicenter study found that smaller airways in women, independent of smoking status, are associated with a higher risk of COPD. Women's airways were found to be narrower and less efficient than men's airways, leading to poorer lung function and increased symptoms.
University of Cincinnati researchers have discovered a technique using light-activated proteins to normalize dysfunctional mitochondria in cells. This method has the potential to treat certain diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
The $205 million investment from international partners will accelerate the telescope's construction, enabling groundbreaking studies on dark matter, dark energy, and the formation of the Universe. The Giant Magellan Telescope will boast unprecedented light-collecting capacity and spatial resolution.
A new study found that COVID-19 health risks spurred more smokers to quit, with cigarette purchases declining by 20-30% and quitting rates increasing by 10 percentage points. The decline was sustained for at least a year and may lead to longer-term benefits on population health and life expectancy.
A new study by Edith Cowan University identified the most common injury types and body regions affected among police recruits, with knee injuries having the greatest impact. The study also found that men under 30 had a substantially reduced injury risk, highlighting the importance of tailored training programs to reduce injury rates.
A new vaccine formulation has protected newborn mice against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and evoked strong responses in human immune cells. The vaccine uses an adjuvant combination that stimulates type 1 T-helper responses, which are hard to stimulate in newborns but are needed for a strong defense against viral pathogens.
A novel T cell bispecific antibody targeting EGFRvIII mutant glioblastoma has demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity in preclinical models. The therapy harnesses the power of the immune system to selectively target and destroy cancer cells, offering a safer treatment option for patients.
Researchers discovered that liver cancer cells modify their metabolism to leave them susceptible to disruptions in arginine supply, a key molecule. A three-pronged approach targeting tumor metabolism, blocking survival-promoting responses, and starving tumors of arginine can induce senescence, making cancer cells killable.
Researchers have discovered the mechanism behind enzyme Polα-primase and protein CST's interaction at the ends of chromosomes. The findings reveal an unprecedented role for CST in facilitating Polα-primase activity, shedding light on telomere replication and cell division.
A study of environmental students from 41 countries found that SDGs are highly accepted globally, with significant differences in pillar ratings between countries. Lower-income nations rated the SDGs as more important than higher-income nations.
A new gene therapy approach using the neuroprotective protein SynCav1 has shown promising results in slowing down ALS disease progression and increasing life span in rodent models. The treatment preserved spinal cord motor neurons and extended longevity in mice, with similar effects observed in a rat model of ALS.
Middle-aged women are at increased risk of serious health outcomes due to weight gain. New guidelines recommend counseling healthy weight management for all middle-aged women.
A study of 29,000 Israeli healthcare workers found that recipients of a fourth Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine dose had a significantly lower risk of acquiring COVID-19 during the Omicron variant wave. The research suggests that a booster dose may offer enhanced protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Researchers extracted DNA from archival leafhopper specimens and used molecular approaches to detect and identify phytoplasmas. The study identified new phytoplasma strains and found associations between leafhoppers and bacteria that cause crop diseases, shedding light on the role of insects in spreading plant pathogens.
A Canadian study reveals that international travel restrictions were key to reducing the spread of new COVID-19 variants. By limiting virus importations, governments gained time to ramp up testing, tracing, and healthcare interventions.
A new light-based sensor harnesses the light-guiding properties of spider silk to detect and measure small changes in the refractive index of a biological solution, including glucose and other types of sugar solutions. The sensor is practical, compact, biocompatible, cost-effective, and highly sensitive.
Chemists at the University of Münster developed a novel method for synthesizing complex organic molecules using visible light. The method produces biologically valuable β-amino acids, including a bifunctional oxime oxalate ester with both amine and ester functionalities.
Researchers at Jefferson Lab have extracted the strength of the strong force, a quantity that supports theories accounting for 99% of ordinary mass. They found that strong force coupling grows quickly before leveling off and becoming constant with increasing distance between affected bodies.
A new study by CU Anschutz researchers found that over 70% of breast cancer patients experience changes in their sexual health during and after treatment. Patients desire early education and counseling from medical teams to address these issues, which are often overlooked.
A UBC research team created a computer modelling program to predict coral reef impact and restoration plans. They found that more diverse communities are most resilient, with species having unique traits contributing to habitat quality.
Timothy Huang has been awarded $2.8 million by the National Institute on Aging to study the SORLA gene and its link to Alzheimer's disease. The project will use human stem cells transplanted into mice to determine how specific mutations impact microglia function.
Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology used AFM and finite element simulations to describe plant cell wall stiffness in relation to elasticity and turgor pressure. Their findings suggest that tension from turgor pressure regulates cell stiffness, providing a better understanding of how plants resist stress.
A new photoswitching fingerprint analysis overcomes the sub-10 nm resolution barrier in super-resolution microscopy, enabling the imaging of dynamic interactions with other molecules in cells. This breakthrough reveals molecular functions and architectures at the nanoscale, shedding light on cellular processes such as learning and memory.
Research found that breastfed premature infants have improved gut barrier function and nutrient absorption due to the presence of Bifidobacterium breve. This strain strengthens the intestinal wall, protecting against disease. The discovery could lead to promising clinical interventions to increase survival rates of vulnerable preemies.
Researchers investigated the effects of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, PD-L1, and mucin expression in rectal cancer patients. The study found that nCRT exposure was associated with higher mucin expression and a non-significant difference in PD-L1 expression, suggesting an immunosuppressive phenotype.
Researchers have developed a method to convert methane into methanol under ambient conditions, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and paving the way for alternative fuels. The process uses photocatalysts and has potential to mitigate climate change by utilizing methane reserves.
Patients who received early physical therapy had significantly lower incidence of health care resource use, including ER visits, in the first month and year after symptom onset. They also spent less money on lower back pain-related services in the first 30 days after symptom onset.
Jianhua Zhao's five-year, $2.4 million grant will focus on proteolysis, the process cells use to break down and recycle unused proteins, with implications for cancer treatment. Cryogenic electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) will be used to study protein recycling and its structures, opening new avenues for cancer research.
A new study has found that mothers of twins are not more fertile than other women, but rather, their increased frequency of childbirth increases the likelihood of a twin birth. The researchers used pre-industrial data from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, and Switzerland to reach this conclusion.
Researchers at Radboud University found that using Phoslock can reduce methane emissions by up to 74% and dredging by approximately 52%. These methods target eutrophication, a key driver of methane production in lakes.
A new global dashboard tracks invasive mosquitoes carrying deadly diseases, combining data from three partner apps and utilizing AI-powered image recognition software. The platform has the potential to provide real-time data on disease vectors, enabling early detection and prevention of mosquito-borne diseases worldwide.
Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have successfully engineered a material that can conduct electricity with zero resistance, paving the way for revolutionary technologies. The breakthrough uses DNA to guide chemical reactions, overcoming a long-standing challenge in materials science.
Researchers investigate how foraging adaptations affect Arctic charr resilience to climate change. The team aims to develop a framework linking genetic and malleable components of feeding trait diversity to population demography, habitat, and eco-evolutionary potential.
Scientists found a full bacterial genome of Wolbachia transferred into the fruit fly Drosophila ananassae, expanding chromosome size by 20%. Long-read sequencing technology revealed functional RNA and edited sequences indicating that genetic material is active.
Researchers at NUS Medicine have successfully used a plant-derived nutrient supplement to shrink breast cancer tumors in preclinical models. The treatment, which uses nanotechnology to convert the natural component into chemotherapy only at the tumor site, shows promise for reducing side effects and increasing patient lifespan.
A long-term research project found creating wildlife habitats significantly increased local bird and butterfly populations without damaging food production. The study assessed the effectiveness of agri-environmental measures in reducing biodiversity losses caused by intensive farming practices.
Researchers found that rapid vegetation recovery in Fukushima reduced suspended sediment levels and turbidity effects. The study highlights the need for future remediation projects to include measures like revegetation to mitigate downstream environmental impacts.
Researchers have identified a novel gene FIBCD1 as likely causative of rare neurodevelopmental disorders. The study found that FIBCD1 is a receptor for ECM 'sugar' components and linked to diseases such as autism, ADHD, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's.
Research suggests that persistent viral infections within hosts can lead to long COVID or post-acute sequelae of COVID-19. The study found that systemic infection and compromised immunity are key factors enabling persistent infection.