A new $5 million center, MIXR, aims to develop, test and certify XR technologies in medicine and healthcare. The collaboration between academia, industry and government will improve medical training, patient management and health outcomes.
A new study at the European Congress on Obesity found that toddlers who were rewarded for trying vegetables ate more of them. The study, which involved 598 children aged 1-4, showed that regularly offering vegetables increased recognition and willingness to try different types.
A COVID vaccine designed for oral administration neutralizes the SARS-CoV-2 virus in mucosal tissues, limiting infections and airborne transmission. The study found vaccinated hamsters were less symptomatic and shed fewer viral particles after exposure.
A flying intervention team deployment was significantly associated with shorter time to endovascular thrombectomy, supporting consideration for some stroke systems of care. The findings may need further research to confirm long-term clinical outcomes and applicability in other geographic settings.
A study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that humour is an effective flirtation tactic for both sexes, especially for men seeking long-term relationships. Women who want a short-lived fling should signal their intentions clearly. The research also highlights the importance of smiling, eye contact, and showing pot...
A team of physicists and chemists at the University of Surrey used computer modeling to show that quantum mechanics can cause errors in DNA replication, leading to mutations. The researchers found that protons can tunnel through energy barriers, causing mistakes in the pairing of DNA bases.
The study analyzed over 40,000 words from English texts and found that monosyllabic Middle English words predominantly had long vowels, which were more easily processed by the brain. This suggests that our brains are wired to learn and prefer frequent sound patterns, leading to gradual language changes.
A meta-analysis of 11 randomised trials found that vegan diets for at least 12 weeks can lead to clinically meaningful weight loss and improved blood sugar control. However, vegan diets did not affect blood pressure or triglycerides compared to other diets.
Researchers at Texas A&M University used an Artificial Intelligence Materials Selection framework to discover a new shape memory alloy with the highest efficiency ever recorded. The alloy's narrow transformation temperature window and high cyclic stability make it ideal for thermal energy harvesting and storage.
A new study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that neighborhood poverty and crowding are associated with higher rates of COVID-19 in pregnancy. Researchers analyzed data from over 5,991 pregnant patients and found disparities in SARS-CoV-2 positivity among different racial and ethnic groups.
The study reveals that NPY peptides use different 'docking pathways' to interact with their receptors, leading to varying signals in the cell. The flexibility and mobility of the complexes play a crucial role in this process.
Researchers have identified over 2.4 million households in 49 countries as being below a certain economic threshold, based on the percentage of unlit settlements detected using nighttime light satellite images. The study found a clear association between increasing percentages of unlit communities and decreasing economic wellbeing levels.
Scientists develop new method to visualize and characterize topological edge states in photonic crystals beyond the optical diffraction limit. The research enables enhanced quantum efficiency or inhibited quantum emission by controlling radiation characteristics of these states.
Researchers from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a single-material, single-stimuli microstructure that can outmaneuver even living cilia. These programmable structures could be used for soft robotics, biocompatible medical devices, and dynamic information encryption.
Researchers have discovered a unique mechanism called 'momentum-dependent spin splitting' that allows for strong spin currents and efficient magnetic switching. This discovery could lead to advances in magnetic random-access memory technologies.
Annual increases in uterine cancer mortality rates from 2010 to 2017 were found to be significantly higher among Hispanic (6.7%) and Black (3.5%) women compared to White (1.5%) and Asian (3.4%) women. These disparities highlight the need for targeted interventions to address racial and ethnic inequalities in uterine cancer care.
A new study reveals that recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) may be caused by an imbalance in the gut microbiome, which can lead to chronic inflammation and increased risk of future UTIs. Antibiotics given to treat UTIs can disrupt the microbiome, making it easier for disease-causing bacteria to spread.
A new study found that naming legislation after a victim increases support for the law and its associated punishment, with notable benefits for laws named after African American women. The study used distracted driving as an example and surveyed a national sample of 1,000 U.S. adults.
Researchers from Harvard University and QuEra Computing have demonstrated a breakthrough application of neutral-atom quantum processors to solve practical optimization problems. The team achieved unprecedented quantum hardware power, showcasing a super-linear quantum speed-up compared to classical algorithms.
A recent study found that the US has a higher heart attack mortality rate compared to other high-income countries, including Taiwan. The study, published in The BMJ, analyzed data from six countries and found that the US had lower revascularization rates despite having advanced medical technology.
The Hubble Space Telescope has discovered a surviving companion star to SN 2013ge, providing crucial insight into the binary nature of massive stars. The finding sheds light on the puzzle of hydrogen loss pre-supernova and supports the theory that most massive stars are paired.
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a promising approach to treating pancreatic cancer, which has a low survival rate. The study found that a liposomal prodrug outperformed traditional treatments in cancer cell cultures and animal models.
Researchers found antibody levels in people with severe obesity are significantly lower than normal weight controls after receiving two doses of either the Pfizer/BioNTech or CoronaVac vaccine. The study suggests that individuals with severe obesity may generate a weaker immune response to COVID-19 vaccination.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science propose two new search strategies to reduce the computational cost of rebalancing in bicycle-sharing systems. The approaches focus on finding feasible solutions more efficiently and redefine the problem to minimize solving time.
A new method reduces computational complexity of traffic models, making them operate more efficiently. The modified algorithm breaks down complex forecasting questions into smaller problems that can be solved in parallel, significantly reducing run time. This approach also allows for a good enough solution within an error bar, rather t...
Scientists have developed a transparent device that produces a hidden image when light shines on it, using liquid crystals to recreate an ancient light trick. The technology has the potential to enable reconfigurable displays and stable 3D images.
Researchers discovered that moss cells can form mobile spindles during mitosis, moving like animal cells. This unusual process suggests a tug-of-war between microtubules and actin filaments to position the spindle, similar to animal cells.
A new study reveals that Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act has led to a significant decrease in diabetic foot amputations among racial and ethnic minority adults. The study found that this expansion has resulted in better healthcare outcomes for these underserved populations, reducing rates of diabetes-related major ampu...
A new study reveals that racial discrimination in medical settings can lead to low confidence in the health system and increased vaccine refusal among ethnic minority groups. The research found that nearly one in ten participants who refused a COVID-19 vaccine reported experiencing poorer service due to their race or ethnicity.
A RAND Corporation study found that strengthened school lunch standards were associated with less weight gain among free or reduced-price lunch participating school children. The findings suggest improving nutritional standards can help reduce the trajectory toward obesity among low-income children.
A recent study reveals that approximately 48% of existing bird species worldwide are undergoing population declines, with only 6% showing increasing trends. The study identifies key threats including natural habitat loss, direct overexploitation and climate change.
A study of 72,000 pediatric encounters found that non-Hispanic Black children were more likely to be readmitted within a year due to diabetic ketoacidosis. Healthcare disparities persist among racial and ethnic groups in pediatric care, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.
A new method for generating polygenic risk scores (PRS) has been developed to predict disease risk across populations, reducing bias and improving accuracy. The PRS-CSx tool integrates data from multiple populations and accounts for genetic similarities and differences between them.
Researchers from Australian National University have discovered how malaria parasites evade treatment by transporting drugs to 'safe zones', which can lead to new and longer-lasting treatments. The discovery could also inform cancer treatment development.
Researchers found that copper-coated surfaces significantly reduced viral load after one hour, while silver-coated surfaces had no effect on infectivity. The team investigated the antiviral properties of various metal-based sacrificial anodes and discovered a clear antiviral effect of copper against Sars-Cov-2.
Researchers have made the first detection of groundwater beneath an Antarctic ice stream, providing new insights into the region's hydrology. The study confirms what scientists had previously suspected but couldn't verify until now, improving our understanding of how the Antarctic ice sheet might affect sea levels.
Researchers have developed graphene-empowered dynamic metasurfaces and metadevices that can actively tune their electromagnetic wave manipulation capabilities. The devices exploit the unique properties of graphene to manipulate visible, terahertz, and microwave frequencies.
A molecular switch, p57, enables stomach stem cells to change allegiance from normal digestion to injury response, potentially leading to new treatments for gastric pathologies. The study's findings suggest that p57 is a key regulator of reserve stem cell state in gastric chief cells.
Researchers discovered a novel way to control the optical properties of silicon nanoantennas using vectorial light fields. The technique enables high-contrast reconfigurable optical scattering by switching structured polarization beams.
Researchers developed a new software tool, called 'meta-transcriptome detector,' that integrates genetic sequencing analysis of hosts and their microbiomes. The tool enables analysis of gene expression activity in both microbes and hosts simultaneously, allowing researchers to spot relationships between them.
A study by Kobe University researchers has illuminated the characteristics of Myeloid immune cells in coronary plaque, a major contributor to acute coronary syndrome. The findings suggest that macrophages and monocytes accumulate in the plaques of patients with acute coronary syndrome, leading to increased inflammation.
The CRISPR/Cas system is being utilized for the treatment and diagnosis of infectious diseases using biosafety materials, highlighting its design principle and efficacy. Advanced biosafety materials are used to detect viral nucleic acids and inhibit viral replication.
Initiation of lower gastrointestinal endoscopy before age 50 among women is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer. Guidelines now recommend that women initiate colorectal cancer screening before age 50 to reduce the risk, including cases diagnosed before age 55.
A study found that higher levels of active brown adipose tissue are associated with early metabolic dysfunction and pre-cooling glucose, insulin, thyroid stimulating hormone, and triglyceride levels. Activated brown fat was recruited to counteract 'pre-prediabetic' states, potentially serving as a first-line protective mechanism.
A new study from Boston University School of Medicine highlights disparities in leadership roles and academic rank among women and underrepresented groups. Women are less likely to be promoted to professor or in leadership positions, with educational roles being undervalued.
The Ustilago maydis effector Rip1 targets and binds Zmlox3, a maize gene from the lipoxygenase family, to suppress PTI and reduce susceptibility to fungal infection. This action leads to reduced ROS-burst formation in infected plant cells, highlighting the complex co-evolutionary forces between host and pathogen.
A flexible sensor embedded in a diaper measures multiple components in urine, sharing results over Bluetooth for fast bedside analyses. The technology has potential to provide quick and painless urinalysis for incontinent, elderly or infant patients.
Researchers find that oxybenzone sunscreen is converted into a phototoxin inside cells of anemone and coral, making them more susceptible to damage. This conversion may help explain why oxybenzone-based sunscreens are harmful to bleached coral reefs.
A study found that vaccines induce immune responses beyond neutralizing antibodies, involving T cells and the Fc receptor, to control viral replication and prevent severe disease. The researchers observed dose-dependent effects on these immune mechanisms, providing insights for future vaccine design and boosting.
Current mining practices can be improved through effective policies and stakeholder involvement. A more sustainable extractive industry can supply key raw materials for renewable energy technologies and support the UN Sustainable Development Goals. To achieve this, diverse stakeholders must participate in governance at different levels.
Researchers have discovered that lunar soil can convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and fuels, paving the way for sustainable space exploration. The team proposes an 'extraterrestrial photosynthesis' strategy using lunar soil to electrolyze water and produce desired products.
A study of 1,365 deaths in Brazil found that up to 18% of COVID-19 cases were misclassified as other causes on death certificates. This undercounting could significantly impact Brazil's vital statistics and COVID-19 mortality rates.
Scientists at Stockholm University have successfully studied the surface of a copper-zinc catalyst during CO2 reduction to methanol, revealing that zinc is alloyed with copper at the surface. This discovery opens up possibilities for more efficient materials and a green transition in the chemical industry.
Researchers analyzed 364 social media posts by six German-speaking influencers and found that 75% of the featured food and drinks were high in salt, fat, or sugar, exceeding World Health Organization advertising standards for children. Chocolate and sweets were the most commonly posted about products.
A new study from Massachusetts General Hospital found that starting endoscopic screening at age 45 can significantly reduce the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in women. The study included 111,801 women and showed a 50-60% lower risk of CRC among those who started screening at this age.
A recent study published in Ecology found that climate change and biological invasions are altering the predator-prey landscape in California's coastal estuaries. This interaction increases stress on native species, making them more vulnerable to invasive predators.
The study proposes four types of firms: craft specialists, craft generalists, commercial specialists, and commercial generalists. Craft specialists focus on aesthetic perfection, while commercial firms prioritize profit maximization. The article highlights the intersection of these goals in various industries, including coffee.
Four rapid antigen tests were found to be less sensitive to the Delta variant than the Omicron strain. The study suggests that continuous assessment and updating are needed for these tests to remain effective in detecting COVID-19 infections. Continuous improvement is necessary to ensure they meet public health testing goals.
Researchers developed a soft robotic sleeve controlled with a microfluidic chip that reduces treatment cost, weight, and power consumption for lymphedema treatment. The device promotes fluid flow in the lymphatic system by sequentially inflating balloons and pushing fluid upwards.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham call for more diverse patient groups in clinical trials and practice to ensure representative data collection. The team identifies barriers such as access to technology, disability, language, and cultural requirements that hinder participation.