Newborn screenings for cystic fibrosis are less effective for non-white babies, leading to delayed diagnosis and worse outcomes. Genetic panels used vary by state, excluding common mutations in non-white populations.
A new USC study found that air pollution and psychological stress during pregnancy can disrupt fetal growth, leading to lower birth weights. Mothers living in environmentally burdened neighborhoods with high levels of air pollution and stress face the greatest risk of having low-birth-weight babies.
A new study has found that soil moisture content is the main factor controlling how far and at what concentration natural gas spreads from a leaked pipeline underground. The research team looked at over 300 soil samples and found that methane gas leaking from a pipeline does not spread as far when the soil moisture content increases.
Research by Penn State found that lower-than-normal rainfall in Tanzania is associated with a 13-percentage-point increase in the risk of being food insecure for households. The study's findings suggest potential policy interventions to help agricultural households become more resilient against drought conditions.
Scientists developed a method to introduce carbonized polymer dots into quasi-2D perovskite photodetectors, improving their flexible stability without losing photo-response. The devices showed lower dark current and detectable light intensity, paving the way for high-performance flexible optoelectronic devices.
A data visualization tool, TrafficVis, assists law enforcement in identifying patterns in online escort advertisements that indicate illegal activity. The tool analyzes millions of ads to highlight common phrasing or duplication among them, helping analysts direct investigations and identify human traffickers and victims.
A new drug combination of cefepime and enmetazobactam has been found to be more effective in treating complicated urinary tract infections and acute pyelonephritis than a standard treatment. The study showed that the new combination was successful in treating 79% of patients, compared to 58.9% for the conventional treatment.
A multidisciplinary team will investigate how spatial patterns can prevent tipping points in ecosystems and promote resilience to climate change. The RESILIENCE project aims to identify novel directions to evade catastrophic ecosystem collapse.
Researchers found that liquid biopsies can detect clonal haematopoiesis, a condition placing patients at higher risk of developing myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukaemia. The study suggests that these patients should be referred for further evaluation to uncover actual risk and identify potential diagnostic pathways.
A new study by Concordia researchers finds that greenbelts are effective at slowing urban sprawl, particularly in larger cities. 90% of cities with greenbelts experienced decreases in sprawl, while just over a third without them did.
Researchers at UCF's COSMOS Lab developed a method to create strong bricks from lunar regolith using 3D printing and binder jet technology. The bricks can withstand extreme space environments and are suitable for constructing off-world structures, paving the way for sustainable space construction.
Research from UCLA Health Sciences found that telehealth consultations following an emergency department visit were associated with 28 more repeat ED encounters and nearly 11 more return hospital admissions per 1000 patients. The findings highlight the need for careful consideration of when to use telemedicine for post-ED follow-ups.
A new study reveals that people with strong emotions are more interested in interacting with cats, contrary to the common perception that cat interactions are less appealing. The research found that universities can benefit from including both dogs and cats in their animal-assisted interventions to reach a broader audience.
Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute developed a new method to study proteins released by cells, which could lead to tracking diseases like cancer. The Bio-Orthogonal Cell line-specific Tagging of Glycoproteins (BOCTAG) method identifies proteins uniquely made by diseased or cancerous cells, even in complex environments.
Researchers found that climate change is closing the daily temperature range, with increased cloud cover being a key factor. The study used high-resolution modeling to simulate clouds and their impact on diurnal temperature variation, shedding light on how this will affect society and the environment.
A study of 31,000 medical school graduates found significant disparities in publication rates among women, Black, and Hispanic students compared to men and white students. These inequities suggest that issues with the physician-scientist workforce began early in training, affecting career success.
Researchers found a significant association between NTM infection and increased mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease. Early diagnosis and treatment may improve survival. NTM can cause nonspecific symptoms like fever and weight loss, and patients with compromised immune systems are at higher risk.
Researchers at Chinese Academy of Sciences have discovered a full-metal hollow cage cluster Nb12+ niobespherene that resists CO attack. The study elucidated the superatomic stability of this cluster and unveiled its potential as a new material with novel d-orbital hybridization.
A new study tracks deuterium in raindrops to better understand the Earth's water cycle and its changes due to global warming. The researchers shed light on how regional climate conditions impact deuterium excess.
A team of scientists at PNNL created a new kind of micelle that detects SARS-CoV-2 in the air by bursting open upon contact with the virus, sending an immediate electronic signal. The detector has advantages over current technologies, requiring lower viral particle levels and producing fewer errors.
A new study investigates the effects of desiccation and freezing on microbial ionizing radiation survivability on Mars. The researchers found that desiccated and frozen cells can survive extreme conditions, increasing the probability of finding evidence of past or present life on Mars.
Researchers used smartphone sensors to measure walking activity in 100,000 UK Biobank participants and developed predictive models of mortality risk. The study showed that just 6 minutes per day of steady walking measured by the sensor can accurately predict mortality risk, similar to physical measures.
A University of California, Davis study reveals that air temperature and cloud cover are influenced by the buoyancy effect of water vapor, which is currently neglected in some leading global climate models. This effect can lead to an error of up to 50% in low cloud cover predictions, impacting the planet's energy balance.
A recent US study of nearly 3,500 individuals aged 65+ found that 10% had dementia and 22% mild cognitive impairment (MCI), with disparities seen among racial and educational groups. The results highlight the disproportionate burden of dementia on older Black adults and MCI among Hispanic adults with lower education levels.
Research finds public perception of data use is shaped by social inequalities and concerns about potential harm or corporate profit. Experts highlight need for public sector review of data-driven systems to address these issues.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a procedure to quantify unintended changes that accompany on-target CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, potentially threatening the efficacy and safety of therapies. The new method uses single-molecule sequencing with unique molecular identifiers to detect large deletions, insertions, and chromosomal...
A large-scale analysis of VA medical centers found that facilities with lower yearly PSA screening rates had higher rates of metastatic prostate cancer in subsequent years. The study supports the benefits of prostate cancer screening in reducing metastatic prostate cancer risk, particularly for high-risk groups like Black patients.
The September 2022 nTIDE COVID Update shows a slight rise in unemployment for people with disabilities, consistent with an increase in individuals entering the labor force. This trend is linked to poverty and financial hardship among people with disabilities, highlighting the need for continued support.
A large clinical trial data analysis found that rates of locoregional recurrence are low regardless of regional node irradiation use. The study suggests a randomized clinical trial is required to answer the question of whether favorable-risk patients can safely skip RNI.
A phase II clinical trial has demonstrated the effectiveness of nivolumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, in treating advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. The study found a significant response rate of 58.3% among patients who received nivolumab, supporting its use as a standard therapy for this disease.
Researchers from the University of South Australia found that fairy tales are a valid resource for teaching primary students about social justice and emotional intelligence. Experienced teacher Glenn Saxby suggests presenting fairy tales in a critical and inclusive manner to help explain complex issues to children.
The NRG-HN004 trial found that radiotherapy with durvalumab did not improve progression-free survival or overall survival compared to cetuximab in patients with locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who have a contraindication to cisplatin. The study highlighted the need for further research in this population.
Researchers found that companies with high CSR ratings decreased charitable giving by 25% due to concerns about investor displeasure. The study's findings highlight the need for rating systems to consider societal values.
The study found that fine particulate concentration levels decreased by 2-4 micrograms per cubic meter in host countries with embassy monitors. This reduction led to a significant decrease in premature mortality, resulting in annual health benefits of $127 million for the median city with an embassy monitor.
A novel algorithm uses near-infrared spectroscopy to estimate intracranial pressure (ICP) based on hemoglobin levels. The research validates the accuracy of this method using invasive ICP data.
A new study has identified a specialized and distinctive type of microglia with enhanced antioxidant function in the ischemia/reperfusion injured brain, linked to stroke. The presence of Peroxiredoxin-1 protects against acute I/R injury, reducing microglial cell death and inflammatory responses.
Sharing real-time air quality readings can reduce fine particulate concentration levels by 2-4 micrograms per cubic metre each year, leading to significant health benefits. The research estimates annual health benefits of $171 million AUD for the median city.
Researchers developed a computational protocol called MACH that can quickly determine whether a given compound will form a crystal hydrate. The tool uses rules to systematically determine where water would likely be inserted into a crystal, providing essential knowledge for drug development and formulation.
Researchers from University of Warsaw create spiking neuron using photons to mimic biological brain's behavior. This achievement paves the way for photonic neural networks that process information faster and more efficiently than conventional systems.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) publishes special issues on the impact of anti-Black racism on patient health and healthcare professionals. Research by Black health scholars and practitioners sheds light on systemic inequities, including cancer care disparities and gaslighting in academic medicine.
Amino acid GABA shows promise in reducing disease severity, viral load and death rates in SARS-CoV-2-infected mice. GABA administration inhibits inflammatory actions of immune cells, potentially providing a generalizable therapy to treat COVID-19 and future novel coronaviruses.
A new study published in iScience found that humans tend to follow a two-step process when in a crowd, with an initial reflexive imitation followed by a more deliberate strategic decision. The research suggests this influence affects not only social norms but also immediate actions and underlies behaviors such as rioting and mass panic.
Researchers at Sandia Labs have successfully built a compact, rugged quantum inertial sensor that can guide vehicles without satellites. The device uses advanced materials and integrated photonic technologies to achieve high accuracy and miniaturization.
Researchers created a 3D brain atlas to study neuronal differentiation and growth in vertebrates. The atlas allows visualization and quantification of parameters that couldn't be seen before, revealing the relationship between birth time and place and neuron position in the tissue.
A new study in Cell Systems explores the benefits of using multiple data types in drug discovery. Gene expression and cell morphology provide complementary information for drug prioritization, advancing drug discovery, functional genomics, and precision medicine.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have made a breakthrough in understanding schizophrenia by analyzing individual brain cells. The study identified specific neurons and networks affected by the disease, suggesting that targeting these areas could lead to new treatment options.
George Mason University researcher Kenneth Dere has received funding from NASA to revise ionization rates and develop software for the CHIANTI database. He will integrate measured cross-sections into the database, calculate a new ionization equilibrium, and write a scientific paper detailing his findings.
Researchers have uncovered the neural mechanisms behind sound perception, finding that the brain predicts expected sounds and responds to unexpected ones. The study provides insights into how the healthy brain learns complex skills and may offer clues for understanding neural disorders like schizophrenia.
A plant-based diet significantly reduced advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) by 79%, associated with weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity. The reduction in AGEs was largely attributed to decreased meat and dairy consumption, leading to a 14-pound weight loss.
A randomized phase III trial found that hypofractionated whole-breast radiation with concurrent boost is comparable to six weeks of treatment for patients with higher-risk disease, reducing tumor recurrence by 20-30%. The three-week course was non-inferior to the longer treatment in terms of tumor recurrence and cosmetic outcomes.
Researchers identified specific transcription factors involved in RA's heterogeneity and stratified cell lines into subtypes with distinct predicted activated pathways. This could help pave the way for personalized treatments tailored to individual patients' needs.
A study from Boston University School of Medicine has identified a receptor called CD169 that plays a key role in the hyper-inflammatory response of macrophages upon infection with SARS-CoV-2. This finding may provide an explanation for how the virus promotes inflammatory responses in COVID-19 patients.
Researchers found that high nutrient inputs result in a decline of plant species, with more species getting lost and fewer new species arriving. This study provides valuable information for practical nature conservation by understanding the effects of unnatural nutrient inputs on biodiversity.
Lei Yang is conducting research on developing fair AI-assisted mobile dermatology diagnosis technology using unsupervised federated learning. The goal is to ensure participation from all socioeconomic populations and find the best network while considering hardware constraints.
Research reveals that α-Ketoglutarate (AKG) supplementation promotes skeletal muscle mass, improves exercise endurance, and increases blood flow, making it a potential nutritional supplement for enhancing health and exercise performance. AKG also relaxes vascular smooth muscle, allowing tissues to receive abundant oxygen and nutrients.
Researchers from Hokkaido University have identified a link between succinyl-CoA levels and energy metabolism in heart cells affected by chronic heart failure. Supplementation with 5-aminolevulinate acid improved heart function and oxidative phosphorylation capacity in mice with surgically blocked blood supply.
A new study found that gestational exposure to the flame retardant FM 550 resulted in altered brain development in newborn rats, with effects more pronounced in male offspring. The study also showed evidence of mitochondrial disruption and dysregulated choline and triglyceride levels in brain tissue.
Researchers analyzed three intervention strategies to mitigate mercury use and emissions in artisanal gold mining, finding that while some methods reduce emissions, others create new environmental problems. The study suggests a need for more comprehensive approaches to address the complex issues surrounding mercury use.
Researchers have developed an intranasal COVID-19 vaccine that works against the original virus and two variants, including omicron, in hamsters. The vaccine stimulates a strong immune response both systemically and in the respiratory tract.
A qualitative study reveals that low-income Black pregnant people face suboptimal prenatal care, emphasizing the importance of integrated services addressing social needs and preferences. Healthcare workers also report challenges in meeting patients' needs, underscoring the need for improved care delivery models.