A new study found that female-owned startups funded by female venture capitalists are two times less likely to get additional financing compared to those with male investors. Female founders who receive support from a woman were perceived as less competent and had their business ideas deemed less promising. In contrast, startups with b...
Experts advise against routine prostate cancer tests for asymptomatic men due to the test's limited ability to prevent deaths and potential for overdiagnosis. Instead, they recommend using a 'risk checker' tool to explore options with a doctor, emphasizing the need for evidence-based guidance on PSA testing.
A new Cornell University-led study found that low-income residents near new public transit stations in Medellin, Colombia experienced higher dengue fever rates. The researchers discovered that the proximity to these stations and socioeconomic status are significant factors in determining dengue incidence rates.
The US healthcare system faces a significant challenge in providing high-quality, personalized obesity care due to lack of insurance coverage for effective medications and societal stigma. Recent efforts aim to address this issue through framework development and policy changes, which may lead to improved patient outcomes and cost savi...
A team of researchers has developed a proof-of-concept for electrochemical polymerization without an external power supply, opening up new avenues for environmentally-friendly synthesis reactions. The innovation uses streaming potential-driven electrochemistry to achieve organic synthesis.
St. Jude researchers will present novel treatments for pediatric brain tumors, including a response rate of 86.8% for high-risk neuroblastoma patients. The hospital will also share findings on disparities in survival rates and improve childhood cancer outcomes worldwide through the World Health Organization Global Initiative.
Biologists at the University of Rochester have identified two key systems controlling gene expression related to longevity: circadian networks regulating negative lifespan genes and the pluripotency network controlling positive lifespan genes. This research provides new insights into understanding how longevity evolves and may lead to ...
A new UK study found that people dying from alcohol-related liver disease had an average of 25 hospital interactions prior to their death, highlighting missed opportunities for intervention. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent mortality from ARLD, which is a significant cause of deaths globally.
Researchers at Aalto University developed a method to produce colors using gold nanocylinders suspended in a gel, controlled by custom DNA molecules. The technique uses polarized light to transmit specific colors depending on the orientation of the nanoparticles.
A new AI-powered technique updates fuel inventories to better predict fire behavior and spread. The method, developed at NCAR, uses satellite imagery to account for pine beetle damage and was tested on the 2020 East Troublesome Fire in Colorado.
Researchers Bo Han and Songqing Chen will focus on authentication in the metaverse, proposing a privacy-preserving continuous and adaptive authentication scheme. Their goal is to address security and privacy challenges in future metaverse development.
A new poll found that most Gen Z youth want their healthcare providers to screen for and provide support for social determinants of health. Nearly 81% of respondents believe providers should ask about factors such as housing, food, education, safety, and discrimination.
A significant overestimation of arterial oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry was found in Asian, Black and Hispanic patients compared to non-Hispanic white patients. This discrepancy led to unrecognized and delayed recognition of COVID-19 treatment eligibility among these groups.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that three doses of the same vaccine or a combination of different vaccines work equally well in preventing COVID-19 infections. The research suggests that the number of vaccine doses is key to improving immunity, rather than the combination of vaccine types.
A new commentary emphasizes the importance of plant-based diets for six health conditions: weight loss, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and COVID-19. Physicians should have basic knowledge of diet's benefits to improve patient outcomes.
A decade-long effort to reduce medication risks for nursing home residents with dementia has shown some positive results, but also unintended consequences. Fewer people are receiving antipsychotic and anti-anxiety drugs, which can raise the risk of falling or dying, but more are receiving alternative behavior-changing medications with ...
Researchers analyzed urban magnetic fields to understand city health and provide insights for preventative studies. They discovered differences between Berkeley and Brooklyn, with Berkeley reaching near-zero magnetic activity at night.
West Virginia University researchers are exploring the symbiotic relationship between Miscanthus x giganteus and its microbes to improve the crop's resilience in unpredictable climates. The goal is to determine the best way to manage the plant on marginal soil, which could help restore damaged soils and mitigate climate change.
Research suggests that during deep sleep, neurons representing related items fire in close temporal order, triggering synaptic plasticity and forming strong connections. This process strengthens or creates new relational memories, which can be essential for learning connections between objects or people.
A new technique has been developed to upscale the production of perovskite solar cells, facilitating their commercialization. The self-assembled monolayer process enables large-area coating and promotes efficient device performance by eliminating interfacial voids.
Researchers at the University of Houston have identified an alternative to lithium-based battery technology for grid-level energy storage systems. They developed a novel form of oxysulfide glass electrolyte that enables reversible sodium plating and stripping at high current densities, potentially solving the challenges associated with...
A study of nearly 4.5 million children found a potential association between prenatal exposure to antiseizure medications and increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. The research suggests that further investigation is needed to confirm these findings.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have made significant progress in developing blood tests for Alzheimer's diagnosis and treatment. The latest study, published in Nature Medicine, explores the utility of phosphorylated tau (P-tau) blood biomarkers to aid in early detection and improve disease management.
Nikolaos Daskalakis and his team will investigate how mitochondria communicate with the cell nucleus, which stores genetic information. The project aims to understand how disruptions in this communication affect brain function in mental health and disease.
A University of Kentucky study suggests that asymptomatic COVID-19 infection during pregnancy can trigger immune responses and inflammation in the placenta, potentially leading to adverse outcomes. Researchers analyzed immune cells in placental tissue and blood from pregnant mothers with or without SARS-CoV-2 infection.
A new artificial enzyme has successfully degraded lignin, a stubborn polymer in woody plants, offering hope for developing a new renewable energy source. The enzyme, developed by mimicking natural enzymes that break down lignin in nature, shows promise for producing valuable products from lignin.
Researchers analyzed data from 623,000 Asian individuals to find that being unmarried is associated with a higher risk of death. The study found the highest risk among men and younger people under 65 years old.
A cross-sectional survey of 23,000 adults in 23 countries found that 15% of healthcare providers reported vaccine hesitancy. Factors associated with hesitancy include lower income and younger age, but not efficacy concerns. Strategies to address hesitancy include training and clear information on vaccine safety and distribution.
Breathing difficulties following opioid use can be fatal. Electrical pulses to the back of the neck have been found to help patients regain respiratory control and breathe independently without the need for medication or mechanical assistance.
A WHO-supported series has collected 13,700 new database records on mosquito-borne diseases, providing valuable resource for studying and containing infectious diseases. The data can be used to train machine-learning models for vector detection and classification, improving global human health.
Researchers developed size-tunable PEG-grafted copolymers to target muscle tissues by exploiting the blood-muscle barrier. The optimal size range for extravasation was found to be between 11-32 nm, with accumulation in skeletal muscles of Duchenne muscular dystrophy model mice being significantly higher than in normal mice.
Researchers discovered that moonlight adjusts the reproductive cycle of marine bristle worms to specific hours during the night. The study reveals how light receptors decode sun- and moonlight to adjust the plastic daily clock, which is essential for species survival.
A new study reveals that girls' mental wellbeing increased by 28% during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic years, while boys showed no significant change. Gender differences were observed among all income groups, with more pronounced effects in lower-income families.
A naturalistic study using eye-tracking technology found that intensive care unit nurses experience a higher level of mental workload, especially during the start of shifts, with shorter fixation and more sporadic gaze behavior in stressed nurses.
Researchers from the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have identified a method to degrade tumor cell-surface PD-L1 using a small molecule activator of ITCH protein. This approach suppresses relapses of melanoma in animal models by reducing PD-L1 accumulation, allowing T-cells to target tumors more effectively.
A study of over 4 million pregnancies found that exposure to valproate and topiramate during pregnancy doubles the risk of autism and intellectual disability in children. The largest such study confirms previous findings and highlights the need for informed decision-making on treatment options.
A new study suggests that European cuttlefish employ a complex neural system to create body patterns for camouflage, combining specific visual features and background cues. The research found that the animals' skin displays a range of 30 different pattern components, which are selectively activated in response to environmental stimuli.
Researchers evaluated the toxicological effects of BaP on bay scallops, finding increased immune response-related parameters with time at higher concentrations. The study suggests that BaP dampens the immune response of scallops and decreases their capacity to respond to oxidative stress.
A new class of antibiotics has been discovered that is highly effective against drug-resistant tuberculosis, with low toxicity and a high level of safety. The new drugs, called PPs, are targeted at the PE_PGRS57 gene and show promise as an alternative to current treatments.
A survey study found that Americans are more willing to have surgery during a pandemic if they and hospital staff are vaccinated. Urgent or lifesaving surgeries were viewed as essential, while outpatient surgeries carried less risk of COVID-19 transmission.
A new study found that microgravity analog culture profoundly affects the microbial infection process in 3-D human tissue models. This is critical for ensuring astronaut health on extended space missions and sheds light on mysterious processes of infection on Earth.
Researchers have developed a new method to include cloud physics in global climate models, which could lead to more accurate predictions. The approach involves breaking down the modeling problem into smaller, independent simulations that can capture finer-scale turbulent eddies and realistic shallow cloud formation.
Wind-dominant electric grids face challenges in recovering from blackouts. Researchers at Iowa State University have developed grid-forming controllers and stall-prevention systems to enable certain wind turbines to blackstart a power grid. This critical step enhances the resilience of wind farms to blackouts.
A new study from Michigan Medicine reveals that dementia diagnoses are often accompanied by significant increases in healthcare costs. The research found that the average Medicare spending jumped by 150% after a formal diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have made a breakthrough in understanding how the RNAi process keeps cells healthy. They discovered that the workhorse protein Argonaute (Ago) uses phosphorylation to break its grip on mRNA targets, allowing it to repress other proteins.
A new large-scale study led by the American Cancer Society shows a decline in suicide risk among cancer patients in the US over the past two decades. However, this risk remains significantly higher than in the general population, with certain factors such as age, race, and socioeconomic status contributing to the increased risk.
A SUTD study has uncovered the reservoir filling strategies and operating rules of China's big hydropower dams on the Lancang-Mekong river. The data shows that dam operations remained steady during a severe drought, indicating no need for emergency releases to mitigate its impact.
Researchers used zinc isotopes to investigate megalodon's diet and find that great white sharks likely competed with it for prey. The study provides a unique window into the past, allowing scientists to analyze extinct animals' diets over millions of years.
Leading ethicists argue that mandatory flu vaccination for healthcare staff is ethically justified due to the risks of nosocomial infections and staff shortages. In contrast, a COVID-19 vaccine mandate is considered unethical due to the low risk of serious illness among younger staff and concerns over coercion.
Kessler Foundation researchers use signal detection theory to characterize cognitive fatigue in multiple sclerosis. The study reveals an association between subjective 'state' fatigue, response bias, and brain activation patterns in both MS and control groups. This finding supports the use of signal detection metrics as an objective me...
Researchers in China and the US developed a computer simulation model addressing solar power's intermittency by adding biomass to advance a reliable, affordable heating solution. The proposed solar-biomass hybrid system provides cleaner energy than fossil fuel for single-family homes.
A survey of 18,500 medical students revealed a strong association between reported mistreatment and discrimination in the first two years of medical school and subsequent medical school attrition. The study highlights the need for increased support and protection for students facing mistreatment and discrimination in medical education.
Researchers found that 80% of infections at superspreading events came from just 4% of infected individuals, known as index cases, who carried high viral loads. The study also identified the occupancy and ventilation in social contact settings as key factors driving variability in superspreader events.
Researchers administered epidural electrical stimulation (EES) to patients with degenerative spine diseases undergoing surgery, improving respiratory control and depth of breathing. The study provides proof of principle for using EES as an alternative treatment to combat opioid-induced respiratory depression.
Researchers studied fossil plants to understand life on earth in a warmer, wetter climate. They found that the Eocene epoch required a steady supply of precipitation and high CO2 levels to sustain lush green landscapes.
A new study reveals an 'expanding hole' illusion that deceives the brain, prompting a dilation reflex in the pupils and making us perceive more light. The illusion is perceived by approximately 86% of people and affects how our visual system anticipates and makes sense of the visual world.
Scientists at TU Wien have developed a new photocatalyst design that can split water into hydrogen and oxygen using sunlight. This process, called photocatalytic water splitting, has the potential to produce environmentally friendly 'green hydrogen' with higher efficiency than traditional electrolysis methods.
A global black market for COVID-19 antiviral drugs is emerging, putting patients' health in jeopardy due to unequal distribution and substandard products. The investigation found that patients are buying pills online without medical supervision, increasing the risk of birth defects and viral resistance.
The number of violent incidents recorded by police forces at UK general practices has almost doubled in the past five years, with 182 reported assaults resulting in injury last year. Malicious communications and stalking have also increased significantly, highlighting a growing issue of abuse against GPs and their staff.
Researchers found that the effectiveness of exercise depends on the time of day, with morning exercise reducing belly fat and blood pressure in women, while evening exercise increasing muscular performance. For men, evening exercise lowers blood pressure, burns more fat, and improves heart disease risk.