Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have found that the inflammatory molecule LIGHT leads to airway remodeling and long-term breathing issues in severe asthma. Therapeutics targeting LIGHT could reverse airway and lung damage, offering a potential long-term treatment for asthma.
This study evaluates the uncanny valley theory through human interactions with four human-like entities: a voice assistant, child-sized robot, virtual human, and life-sized humanoid robot. The results show that anthropomorphic robots are most liked, while the 'uncanny valley' effect is not observed.
RADepthNet separates depth-related features from irrelevant information and incorporates boundary features for better depth prediction results. The proposed method achieves state-of-the-art performance in monocular depth estimation on two datasets, including a newly built soccer video dataset.
Scientists have successfully created primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLSs) from induced pluripotent stem cells of the northern white rhino Nabire, paving the way to produce artificial gametes. This breakthrough aims to prevent the extinction of the northern white rhinoceros and increase genetic diversity.
Researchers found that Covid vaccines effectively protect HIV-positive individuals, particularly after a third booster shot. The study also revealed a surprisingly strong cellular immune response in HIV-positive people, similar to those in healthy individuals.
A researcher at Oregon State University has discovered a new species of cockroach encased in Dominican amber, with the male specimen displaying well-preserved yellow stripes and spines. The finding also marks the presence of fossilized roach sperm for the first time.
Seal pups possess an innate ability to change their voice pitch and volume, as well as recognize and respond to rhythmic sounds. This study suggests a possible evolutionary link between human-like language abilities and vocal plasticity in seals.
A recent study found that livestock systems are a significant source of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria and genes, which can spread to humans through contaminated manure. The researchers recommend ecosystem-wide surveillance and improved manure disposal practices to combat AMR on a global scale.
A team of researchers from the University of Rhode Island has discovered new details about the chemical reaction that occurs when ferrate is exposed to visible and ultraviolet light. The findings could help optimize the use of ferrate in water treatment applications, making it a promising option for smaller systems.
A new study by University at Buffalo researchers explores how spending time alone affects social interaction, finding that solitude may not be restorative for all individuals. Those who seek solitude due to fear or dislike of social interactions experience increased anxiety when interacting with others on days with increased alone time.
A new Lancet Viewpoint provides recommendations for providers and parents to detect and intervene in adolescent substance use. The study highlights the challenges of detecting substances with 'invisible symptoms' and emphasizes the importance of open communication and well-validated screening tools.
Research reveals stark racial and ethnic differences in swimming skills, with Black and Latine parents less confident in their abilities and fewer children taking swim lessons. Culturally tailored water-safety programs are crucial to eliminating these disparities and reducing child drownings.
Researchers at USTC developed a new strategy for synthesizing axially chiral allenic compounds, achieving high enantiopurity and stereoselectivity. The method involves nickel-catalyzed asymmetric propargyl substitution and Myers rearrangement reactions.
A new study emphasizes the critical importance of conserving deep reefs in the Western Indian Ocean, which are under threat from multiple stressors. The researchers urge policymakers to prioritize conservation efforts and consider the region's growing population and economic pressures.
Researchers have developed a comprehensive tool to predict prostate cancer risk, incorporating genetic and family history data. The algorithm aims to identify men at highest risk for targeted screening and diagnostic tests, reducing unnecessary tests for those at low risk.
MIT engineers create ultralight fabric solar cells that can generate 18 times more power-per-kilogram than conventional solar cells, making them ideal for wearable power fabrics or deployment in remote locations. The technology can be integrated into built environments with minimal installation needs.
Dr. Urbut's award-winning research explores a new framework to predict coronary artery disease throughout an individual's lifespan, incorporating genomic and nongenomic risk factors. The American Heart Association recognized her innovative work in improving cardiovascular disease prevention.
This study uses ultra-pH-sensitive polymeric fluorescent probes to image local pH changes in electrocatalytic processes with subsecond resolution. The technique allows for rapid imaging of proton concentration changes, enabling the study of heterogeneous reactions and mass transport in electrocatalysis.
Jamie Padgett, a Rice University professor, has been awarded a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation's BRITE Fellows program. With this funding, she will develop methods for infrastructure resilience modeling in response to uncertain, evolving conditions resulting from earthquakes, hurricanes, and other disasters.
Researchers used 69 confirmed binaries to test two origin stories of black holes, but found that the current catalog is not enough to reveal anything fundamental about their formation. The study suggests that the universe's spin and tilt can be 'spun' in different ways depending on the model used.
A large longitudinal study found that weight-loss surgery significantly reduces urinary incontinence episode frequency in adults with severe obesity. After seven years, improvements persist despite some weight regain, offering a durable benefit to patients.
Research by Uppsala University and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences links atopic dermatitis in dogs to specific genome regions. The study identifies genes coinciding with human atopic eczema, including the filaggrin gene region.
Researchers found that a single psychedelic experience increased nonphysicalist beliefs and beliefs about consciousness, meaning and purpose. The magnitude of belief changes was associated with qualitative features of the experience. A significant increase in 'believers' was also observed after the experience.
Researchers have discovered the three-dimensional structure of phosphoinositide 3-kinase alpha (PI3Kα) and how it changes with cancer-associated mutations. This knowledge enables the design of targeted drugs that can specifically bind to mutated versions, potentially eliminating side effects associated with current PI3Kα inhibitors.
Researchers found that longer genes are linked to longer lifespans and shorter genes to shorter lifespans, with aging causing a shift towards short genes. This imbalance leads to subtle changes in thousands of genes across various tissues, suggesting systems-level changes contribute to aging.
Astronomers using Hubble Space Telescope data found a small but significant excess of light in the sky, equivalent to the glow of 10 fireflies. This residual glow could be caused by a tenuous sphere of dust from comets falling into the solar system, adding a new component to the known architecture of the solar system.
Researchers found that lncRNA MVIH is overexpressed in cervical cancer tumors and associated with younger age, lymph node metastasis, tumor invasion depth, and squamous cell type. This suggests its potential as a diagnostic biomarker for cervical cancer.
Researchers developed a customizable, strontium-loaded scaffold that promotes wound healing by stimulating gingival fibroblast activity. The scaffold increased cellular activity of isolated cells while showing minimal toxicity over four days.
A research team at NIMS successfully synthesized a two-dimensional silicon-integrated covalent organic framework film on a metal surface. The technique may be applied to develop new materials in a bottom-up manner, with potential applications in battery materials and catalysts.
Researchers at USTC found that aerating O2 into the semiconductor reaction system improves H2O2 utilization and converts methane to liquid-phase oxygenates. The adsorption of O2 inhibits H2O2 adsorption, suppressing side reactions.
Researchers at Aalto University have developed a new optical computing approach that uses circularly polarized light to operate logic gates, resulting in ultrafast processing speeds. The technology operates about one million times faster than existing technologies and can be integrated into a single device.
Researchers used a new model to predict the environmental effects of increased desalination and climate change in the Gulf region through 2050. They found that while salinity increases may occur, their impact on marine life is unlikely to be significant.
Patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis showed significant improvement in signs and symptoms while taking rocatinlimab, a novel monoclonal antibody therapy. The treatment has the potential to change the genetic makeup of the disease, leading to lasting results without continued use.
Patients with two or three sites of breast cancer in the same breast who underwent lumpectomy and radiation therapy had local recurrence rates comparable to those with a single tumor. Breast MRI was found to improve detection of additional disease sites, potentially allowing for more thorough resection.
Researchers have developed a low-cost way to extract gold and other valuable metals from electronic waste, which can be used as catalysts for reactions in pharmaceutical manufacture. The process has the potential to improve the sustainability of drug production by reducing dependence on environmentally damaging mining practices.
Four early galaxies have been confirmed by spectroscopic observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), with two of them being the most distant galaxies to date. The galaxies are estimated to be around 13.4 billion years old, dating back to less than 400 million years after the Big Bang.
Researchers developed a FRET-based biosensor SMART to visualize necroptosis in living mice, enabling monitoring of this form of regulated cell death in various pathological models. The study successfully characterized necroptosis in vivo using transgenic mice with the FRET biosensor.
Researchers confirmed cupric oxide's multiferroic state at room temperature under high pressure using neutron diffraction. Thin films of precisely distorted crystals may exhibit such properties at ambient pressure. This discovery enables the development of next-generation memory devices and energy-efficient optical modulators.
Heidelberg University researchers successfully simulated an entire family of curved universes using ultracold quantum gases. The experiment allowed them to investigate different cosmological scenarios and compare the results with a quantum field theoretical model.
Researchers from Tsinghua University reviewed methods to modulate properties of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) for biosensing applications. The team found that TMD-based sensors can detect a range of biomolecules, including neurotransmitters and proteins.
Researchers at the Max Delbrück Center have successfully generated primordial germ cells from stem cells, a world's first for a large mammalian species. This milestone aims to save the northern white rhino subspecies from extinction through lab-grown egg and sperm cells.
The EU project SHOWCASE has issued its first policy brief providing concrete research-based recommendations on how to trigger an uptake of nature-positive farming systems that reinforce biodiversity. Policymakers can take five specific actions to support agricultural products from biodiversity-enhancing farming systems with subsidies.
Scientists at Chiba University create a durable material that can efficiently remove nitrate ions from water, with an adsorption capacity of 0.5 mmol/g. The new PAN-ACF material is stable under various storage conditions and can withstand treatments with boiling water, strong acidic and basic solutions.
A new study suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein contributes to vascular leak, a dangerous release of fluids from blood vessels leading to respiratory failure. Researchers believe blocking this pathway could help prevent severe COVID-19 symptoms and shed light on other emerging infectious diseases.
Researchers developed a 20-minute-long CBT program to reduce anxiety among school children in Japan. The program was effective in reducing anxiety-based symptoms and behavioral problems, making it a promising solution for schools with busy schedules.
Scientists at German Cancer Research Center have discovered an epigenetic switch in blood stem cells that improves defense against infections. The switch triggers the immune system's emergency response, increasing the production of immune cells and enhancing its ability to clear infections.
A survey of over 1,300 parents found significant racial and ethnic differences in swimming skills, with White parents reporting higher comfort levels and more children receiving swim lessons. Culturally tailored programs to address these disparities may help reduce drowning rates among Black and Latine communities.
Researchers genetically engineered a microbial community that can convert CO2 into sugar and produce useful chemicals, effectively acting as a living carbon sink. The community, consisting of bacteria and cyanobacteria, produces chemicals with a negative carbon balance.
Researchers found a close correspondence between bat species' wing shapes and their echolocation vocalizations, with both linked to foraging ecology. The study reveals distinct 'foraging syndromes' that have evolved repeatedly in each family, matching optimal evolutionary solutions for different habitats.
A quarter-mile segment of the Klamath Geo Trail was successfully resurfaced using volcanic ash from Mount Mazama, demonstrating its potential as a more sustainable and locally sourced pozzolan. The surface treatment improved firmness and stability, making it accessible to people with mobility devices.
A UConn researcher has compiled a comprehensive database of invasive plant species in Central America, revealing that over 60% have been introduced for ornamental purposes. The study highlights the urgent need for action against tropical invasions, which threaten biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health.
Scientists have identified genes that enable proprioception, a crucial sense for coordinated movement and balance. The discovery could lead to better understanding of neurological disorders such as spinal cord injuries, scoliosis, and hip dysplasia, ultimately enabling the development of novel therapies.
A genetic signature called POLAR identified patients with low scores who had similar local recurrence rates with or without radiation therapy. Patients with high POLAR scores showed reduced risk of local recurrence with adjuvant radiation, while those with low scores did not.
Current tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems use associated with increased risk of bleeding after brushing or flossing. Longitudinal studies highlight the importance of tobacco cessation counseling in clinical practice.
A team of researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University has designed and synthesized novel compounds that have the potential to be effective drugs against COVID-19. The compounds target the main protease enzyme of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is essential for viral replication.
Fauci emphasizes the importance of pushing back against false information and promoting scientific communication as a process. He plans to use his experience to support two initiatives going forward.
Florida Atlantic University has received a $1 million NSF grant to implement initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in STEM faculty. The project aims to mitigate STEM workforce shortages, particularly in biotechnology, aerospace, and healthcare industries.
The SERENA-2 trial found camizestrant significantly improves progression-free survival versus fulvestrant in patients with estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. Camizestrant demonstrates efficacy across various patient populations, including those with ESR1 mutations and prior CDK4/6 inhibitor treatment.
Researchers have discovered a way to promote hair cell regeneration in mature animals using cell reprogramming with transcription factors ATOH1, GFI1, and POU4F3. This approach has shown promise for advancing the treatment of long-term hearing loss.
A joint research team reconstructed the mid-range paleoelevation sequences of the northeastern Tibet Plateau since the middle Miocene. The study reveals that the region underwent strong uplift about 11 to 7 Ma, exerting significant environmental effects. This uplift had a profound impact on climate and biodiversity in the region.