Researchers discovered a novel interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and human Estrogen Receptor Alpha, which may contribute to severe coagulopathy in COVID-19 patients. The study suggests that modulating ER signaling could mitigate rare vaccine side effects.
A new study developed a traveling-wave amplifier based on a photonic integrated circuit operating in the continuous regime, providing 7 dB net gain on-chip and 2 dB net gain fiber-to-fiber. This achievement enables unlimited application areas for LiDAR and other optical sensing applications.
A low-cost prenatal intervention benefits mothers’ mental health up to eight years later. The eight-week class intervention supported healthier stress responses in their children, and cut their short-term risk of depression and diabetes.
Astronomers have discovered a mysterious bright flash emanating from a relativistic jet of matter streaking out from a supermassive black hole. The signal, AT 2022cmc, is the brightest TDE ever detected and originates from a black hole that suddenly began devouring a nearby star, releasing an enormous amount of energy.
The FDA ban on flavored e-cigarettes did not lead to a significant decrease in adult vaping rates. In fact, many users switched to other flavored e-cigs or tobacco products. The study suggests that policy loopholes and the availability of newer products contributed to the failure of the ban.
A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that severe undernutrition before and during TB treatment significantly increases the risk of death, treatment failure, and relapse. Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine followed nearly 3,000 persons with TB disease for two years and recorded data on demograph...
A recent study highlights the importance of addressing negative human histories in shaping conservation practices. The authors propose a three-step approach to overcome social-ecological landscapes of fear, which constrain research and hinder ecological inquiry. By recognizing past injustices and engaging with local communities, scient...
Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia identified several genetic variants associated with increased cancer risk in children with non-chromosomal birth defects. The study found that these variants were more commonly found in genes related to birth defects and cancer, suggesting a potential basis for early detection.
Researchers found that female rhesus macaques become increasingly selective in their social interactions as they get older, focusing on relatives and established friendships. This trend suggests that females play an active role in shaping their social networks, rather than being shunned by society.
Researchers at VCU Massey Cancer Center discovered the inactivation of NF1 as a potential genetic driver for pancreatic cancer. The study suggests that targeting NF1 could create vulnerabilities for therapeutic advantage in mutant KRAS-bearing tumors.
The Eurasian Ice Sheet sculpted Europe's landscape through extreme erosion over the last 100,000 years, with climate and geology playing key roles. The study reveals vast networks of subglacial rivers, promoting faster ice flow and sediment transport, with significant implications for marine carbon sinks and coastal communities.
A small study funded by NIH found that a simulated driving program can reduce crashes and near-crashes among teens with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by nearly 40%. The program, called FOCAL+, teaches teens to avoid long glances away from the roadway.
A team of Oregon State University scientists used biophysical techniques to study the malfunctioning motor protein dynein, which is associated with neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and Alzheimer's. The study sheds light on how dynein's transport machinery fails in these disorders, leading to the accumulation of misfolded proteins.
A new study reveals that microfibers in the Mediterranean Sea are home to over 2,600 bacterial species, including Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a potentially deadly bacterium. The presence of these bacteria poses a significant threat to human health and aquatic ecosystems.
Astronomers have made the first-ever discovery of a rare cosmic 'lunch' involving a black hole devouring a nearby star and releasing relativistic jets further out into the universe. The event, AT2022cmc, was detected using a novel data-crunching method that quickly identified it in ZTF survey data.
The Fannie and John Hertz Foundation has announced a new $5 million fellowship in honor of Dr. Nathan Myhrvold, a renowned inventor and entrepreneur. The fellowship program supports the doctoral education of students in applied physical and biological sciences, mathematics, or engineering.
A team of scientists has identified three new biomarkers for detecting the consumption of emerging synthetic cannabinoids like OXIZID. These biomarkers will facilitate work by drug enforcement agencies worldwide in monitoring OXIZID abuse, enabling more accurate identification of abusers and potentially preventing overdoses.
A new serological test, PepSeq, allows scientists to quickly test antibody binding against hundreds of thousands of protein targets, helping prepare for and respond to pandemics. The technology identifies specific antibodies that provide protection against infection, holding promise for developing effective vaccines and treatments.
A new study published in Drones found that drones emit more noise than visual impact, causing behavioral changes in large terrestrial mammals. The Asian elephant was particularly sensitive to low-frequency sounds, highlighting the need for drone safety regulations.
Researchers developed an approach to connect Spanish-speaking smokers with tobacco treatment delivered by state Quitlines, leading to improved treatment enrollment and smoking cessation outcomes. Patients who received treatment in Spanish completed more counseling calls and were more likely to report abstinence from smoking than those ...
The study found that the Erfurt Jewish community was more genetically diverse than modern-day Ashkenazi Jews, with at least two distinct groups. The research team discovered that the founder event, which makes all Ashkenazi Jews today descendants of a small population, happened before the 14th century.
The European Union's H2020 SHOWCASE project has launched an open access collection in the Research Ideas and Outcomes journal, providing a comprehensive overview of its work and development. The collection showcases the project's synergy between agriculture, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, highlighting its contributions to transp...
Researchers link fentanyl to sodium pockets in nerve cell receptors, blocking harmful side effects while reducing pain. The study offers promise for safer painkillers and potential improvements for addressing the nation's crisis of addiction and overdose.
A recent survey of adults found that several medical phrases are frequently misinterpreted, leading to incorrect treatment and care. The study highlights the need for clear communication between healthcare providers and patients to avoid misunderstandings.
Researchers have developed a hybrid plasma accelerator that combines two methods for electron acceleration, achieving better stability and higher particle density than single-accelerator systems. This innovation opens up new possibilities for precision X-ray generation and novel applications in fields like medical imaging and ultrafast...
Researchers have uncovered a new mechanism of antibiotic resistance in Group A Streptococcus bacteria, making antibiotics ineffective and potentially leading to poor outcomes. The discovery highlights the complexity of understanding AMR and emphasizes the need for rapid diagnostic tools and therapeutics.
A pilot study found that nearly half of patients treated with aflibercept could safely stop eye injections without vision loss, while only 17% of those on bevacizumab were able to do so. The findings suggest that matching patients with the right therapy may reduce the need for lifelong treatment.
Research on Fanconi anemia reveals its link to aggressive head-and-neck tumors due to gene-copy chaos, increasing the need for new treatments. The study also highlights a connection between smoking and drinking and elevated cancer risk.
Researchers found that buprenorphine use was associated with better outcomes for the baby, including lower risk of preterm birth, small size for gestational age, and low birth weight. The study suggests increasing access to buprenorphine treatment among pregnant individuals with opioid-use disorder.
A study published in Neurology found that people with higher scores for subjective cognitive decline were more likely to develop dementia. The study, which followed participants over five years, found that every additional point on the scale increased dementia risk by 8.5%.
Researchers identify POLQ's vital role in responding to DNA replication stress and its potential as a cancer target. Inhibiting POLQ may limit mutation diversity and cancer evolution, offering new hope for cancer treatment.
Researchers have enabled remote tuning of coupled Dirac plasmon excitations in graphene by designing an additional damping pathway through adjusting the Fermi energy level. The results provide fresh concepts for active control of other quasiparticle lifetimes and applications in nanophotonics.
Researchers at UC challenge current timeline for mammoth extinction, citing limitations in dating environmental DNA. The team suggests that the slow decomposition of animals in arctic regions could explain how mammoth DNA is showing up thousands of years later than expected.
The UMass Lowell-led team aims to understand how proteins affect biting function in animals, with potential applications in treating diseases like muscular dystrophy. The research will involve studying molecular properties of myosin, a fibrous motor protein, and its impact on muscle force and velocity.
A study published in Nature Communications suggests that small asteroids are probably young because of their loose internal structure and low cohesion. This finding has important implications for understanding the geological development of asteroids.
The new monochromator optics increase photon flux in the tender X-ray range by a factor of 100, allowing highly sensitive spectromicroscopic measurements with high resolutions. This enables data collection on nanoscale materials, such as catalytically active nanoparticles and modern microchip structures, for the first time.
Researchers analyzed observational data from a major field campaign in 2020 and found that trade-wind clouds' contribution to climate warming has been overestimated. The study shows that the clouds are more resilient to global warming than previously thought, which can improve the accuracy of future climate projections.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that internet-delivered anonymous cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) significantly reduced the viewing of child sexual abuse material. The study, published in Internet Interventions, shows promise for a feasible and effective treatment approach.
The study examines the role of halide ions in enhancing CO2 conversion efficiency and highlights three areas for further research: designing model systems, developing advanced in-situ characterization tools, and exploring new halide-based catalyst architectures.
Researchers have discovered that nanodiamonds can emit solvated electrons in water when exposed to visible light, a crucial step towards using them as photocatalysts. This discovery could lead to the development of inexpensive and metal-free processes for converting CO2 into valuable hydrocarbons or converting N2 into ammonia.
Research highlights the need for high-quality studies on tropical cyclones in low- and middle-income countries to understand long-term consequences. The public health impact extends beyond injuries and cardiovascular diseases, affecting neuropsychiatric conditions and infectious diseases.
A new EU-funded research project aims to improve understanding of mental health by combining biological and social factors, focusing on four critical life stages: early life, puberty, peripartum, and old age. The project seeks to develop personalized preventive and therapeutic measures and reduce stigma associated with mental illness.
Researchers used AI to design and test thousands of functional group patterns on a carbon nanotube pore, finding optimal arrangements that can filter out contaminants. The study demonstrates AI's potential in developing new types of water purification membranes.
Researchers from Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have developed a sustainable, eco-friendly compound to stabilize high-energy density lithium-ion batteries. The microbially synthesized pyrazine diamine compound significantly improves battery performance, reducing degradation and increasing operating potential.
A new study found that around a third of genetic variants associated with autoimmune and allergic disorders were under natural selection, indicating their importance for human adaptation. The research suggests that these genes may have been selected to combat pathogens but now contribute to disease pathology.
Researchers found that stimulating estrogen receptor beta alters dozens of cancer-related genes, slowing the growth and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancers. Higher levels of ER beta expression are associated with longer survival rates in TNBC patients.
A recent human study published in Antioxidants found that consuming grapes protected against ultraviolet (UV) damage to the skin. The study showed increased resistance to sunburn and unique microbiomic and metabolomic profiles in subjects who consumed whole grape powder, suggesting a correlation between the gut and skin.
A study found that Antarctic ice-free areas will create new habitats for some species, but also increase competition and risk of invasion by non-native species. The research highlights the need to address key questions about the impacts of these changes on biodiversity.
Researchers from Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) have developed a machine learning-based method to discover non-intuitive pulse sequences that can cool mechanical objects to ultracold temperatures faster than traditional methods. This breakthrough showcases the utility of artificial intelligence in quantum technologies.
A new visual scale called Matches Measure can quickly assess job burnout, reducing participant fatigue and increasing understanding. The scale is comparable to existing burnout measures and relates to known predictors and consequences of job burnout.
Researchers have developed a quantum experiment that allows them to probe connections between theoretical wormholes and quantum physics. The study demonstrates the equivalence of wormholes with quantum teleportation, a process experimentally demonstrated over long distances.
A new study found that when there are more females than males in colonies of orb-weaving spiders, males fight less with each other and females exhibit less aggression. The researchers also observed cooperation among spiders in constructing their webs and wrapping prey in silk.
A minimally invasive treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome provides complete and long-term relief to patients. Ultrasound-guided hydrodissection effectively treats nerve entrapments without surgery or corticosteroids.
The UNC School of Medicine lab, led by Bryan L. Roth, MD, PhD, solved the high-resolution structures of drug-like compounds bound to designer brain cell receptors, paving the way for more effective therapeutics for neuropsychiatric illnesses.
A team led by University of Maryland astronomer Igor Andreoni discovered a bright optical flare caused by a dying star's encounter with a supermassive black hole. The event, AT2022cmc, is extremely rare and was found using a novel data pipeline that analyzed the Zwicky Transient Facility survey.
A study funded by the American Academy of Neurology found that only a small percentage of people with neurologic conditions are being treated with new medications, despite their higher costs. The study also revealed that out-of-pocket costs for new drugs are highly variable and unpredictable compared to existing medications.
Researchers found that antibiotic treatment led to significant changes in Candida albicans populations, varying by individual's microbiota. The degree of fungal overgrowth depended on the activity of beta-lactamase enzyme produced by endogenous bacteria.
A new gene therapy approach has been developed to boost the expression of the beta-3 adrenergic receptor in heart cells, improving mitochondrial function and preventing or reversing heart failure in a mouse model of aortic stenosis. This could potentially provide new therapeutic options for patients with this condition.
Researchers created a stretchable film that can distinguish between different types of sugar using fluorescent signals. The film changes color when stretched, producing a kaleidoscope effect and enhancing the unique shifts in fluorescence intensity of sugars tagged with a dye.
Researchers found a way to use phthalates in plasticizers as mediator for chemical reaction, allowing for electrochemical recycling without heat. The process reduces hydrochloric acid release and improves efficiency.