UPF researchers used the principles of the second law of thermodynamics to understand and model different brain states. By quantifying the hierarchy of brain function, they developed a robust biomarker that distinguishes between conscious and unconscious states.
A study found that overweight patients are more inclined to disagree with their healthcare providers on weight loss and lifestyle advice. Disagreement was particularly pronounced for advice given by doctors on weight and lifestyle issues, with overweight patients more likely to disagree.
A new DNA-based fluorescence technique using single-molecule electron-transfer kinetics can identify point mutations in mRNA, facilitating the diagnosis of gliomas and potentially treating the disease. This breakthrough may lead to real-time cancer diagnostics during surgical biopsies, reducing the need for multiple surgeries.
A Kennesaw State University assistant professor of biology is studying how urbanization affects heavy metal concentrations in starlings. Preliminary data suggests that starlings nesting at urban sites have higher lead concentrations, which could provide insights into the environmental impact of urbanization.
A review of 14 studies reveals that women who take on more unpaid labor experience increased depressive symptoms and psychological distress. The study highlights the need for greater attention to divide unpaid labor equally between men and women to improve mental health.
Researchers developed a main-group catalyst with atomically dispersed In sites to overcome the trade-off between conversion and selectivity in oxidative dehydrogenation. The novel catalyst achieved over 80% C2H4 selectivity, outperforming existing transition metal oxide catalysts.
Research confirms ethnicity as a key risk factor for kidney disease in people with Type 1 diabetes, particularly among African-Caribbean individuals. The study found nearly 60% greater risk of advanced kidney disease in this population.
Researchers have genetically engineered yeast to produce vindoline and catharanthine, the precursors to vinblastine, a widely used anti-cancer drug. This breakthrough may lead to new sources of these compounds and reduce dependence on plant farming and logistics challenges.
A study of 690 young children found that many had asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections, which did not correlate with viral load. The findings suggest that relying on symptom screening may not be enough to control outbreaks in this age group.
Researchers at Washington University have developed a hydrogel system that preserves biochemistry and mechanical environments of cultured podocyte cells. This allows researchers to identify new ways to control mechanisms used by cells to heal themselves, potentially leading to therapies for currently incurable diseases.
Researchers found a strong association between high ultra-processed food consumption and colorectal cancer risk in men, particularly those consuming processed meats. In contrast, no link was found for women, suggesting potential sex differences in the relationship between diet and cancer risk.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed a computer model to predict enzyme efficiency. This helps find efficient cell factories for producing biotech products like biofuels and medicines, and studies difficult diseases.
A large retrospective study found that visceral fat area from fully automated and normalized abdominal CT analysis predicts subsequent myocardial infarction or stroke in Black and White patients. The study suggests that body composition analysis using machine learning could be widely adopted to add prognostic utility to clinical practice.
A high-precision experiment reveals that protons and neutrons in small nuclei prefer to pair up with others of the same kind more often than expected. The study provides new details about short-distance interactions between particles and may impact results from experiments seeking to tease out further nuclear structure details.
Xiu Yang, a 2022 NSF CAREER award recipient, is working on an algorithmic approach to model and overcome hardware errors in quantum computing. He aims to enable the technology to achieve its promise of unparalleled speed in solving complex problems.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that low physical function after age 65 is associated with a greater risk of developing heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. The study used the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test to assess physical function in 5,570 adults over 75 years old.
Research by NUS led by Professor Zhang Cuilin found that maternal physical activity before pregnancy is associated with placental DNA methylation patterns affecting fetal growth. Additionally, optimal fatty acid intake in early pregnancy optimizes fetal growth throughout pregnancy.
A study by King's College London found that visiting canals and rivers has a positive association with mental wellbeing, feeling happy, and social inclusion. The combination of blue and green space with wildlife is believed to contribute to these benefits.
Researchers found that increasing active listening and empathy in a firm's response can evoke customer gratitude, even if the actual failure is not yet recovered. The study shows that these strategies can be easy-to-implement implications for companies handling complaints via social media.
Researchers at Washington State University developed a simple method to recycle polylactic acid (PLA) into high-quality resin for 3D printing. The process breaks down PLA into its basic building blocks, allowing it to be re-polymerized into stronger materials.
A new American Heart Association statement highlights the need for specialized care in people who inject drugs, a population with a complex approach to manage potentially deadly heart infections. The standard treatment includes six weeks of intravenous antibiotics, but alternative regimens and oral antibiotics may help complete treatment.
Experts argue that flawed narratives and premature scientific conclusions led to ineffective public health measures, care home deaths, and lax vaccination policies. The UK's response fell short of its potential, with a death toll approaching 200,000, due to a lack of evidence-based decision-making.
Researchers have identified genetic signatures explaining ethnic differences in prostate cancer severity, particularly in African men. The study found a new prostate cancer taxonomy and cancer drivers that predict life-threatening cancers, providing a critical key to understanding the disease.
Scientists at the University of Freiburg have successfully characterized epigenetic modifications using nanopore analysis. The technique allows for rapid detection of protein fragments with varying levels of acetylation, enabling more accurate diagnosis and treatment of diseases like cancer.
A team of researchers at Harvard Medical School has made new strides in understanding the basic biology of internal organ sensing, revealing spatial maps of neurons in the brain stem responding to feedback from internal organs. The study found that inhibition within the brain plays a key role in selectively responding to organs.
Scientists modeled how different coronavirus shapes affect rotational diffusivity, impacting transmission and infective success. The study found that more elongated shapes result in slower rotation rates, potentially improving attachment to cells.
A study by HKU Dentistry found that 'positive stress' can induce good changes in tooth stem cells, making them more resistant to injury and disease. The research team developed a preconditioning protocol that modified the cells genetically to mimic low oxygen conditions, which activated protective mechanisms.
Researchers have identified a stream of messages between fat tissue and the brain, revealing a previously unknown pathway for adipose tissue to communicate with the brain. The discovery suggests that sensory neurons play a crucial role in regulating fat metabolism and may hold potential for treating obesity and metabolic diseases.
According to Penn Medicine experts, health systems can utilize several strategies to help Black communities build wealth, including promoting job opportunities and investing in local economies. Wealth building has also been shown to improve health outcomes, as it affords choice and stability in housing, education, and nutrition.
A recent study published in the World Leisure Journal found that neighborhood associations often lack diversity and inclusivity, serving primarily the interests of young, affluent families. Researchers argue that these groups should aim to foster a sense of belonging for all residents, not just a select subgroup.
Researchers found a negative correlation between age-standardized death rates and levels of decommodification in 21 OECD countries. Decreased labor market polarization and risk were associated with improved population health, particularly in men.
A study by PLOS analyzed Australian race yards and found no significant difference in performance between male and female jockeys. The research suggests that the sex of the jockey does not impact the physiology or performance of the racehorse.
Scientists studying particle collisions at RHIC observed signs of gluon saturation in heavier nuclei, with suppression of back-to-back pairs increasing with larger nucleus size. The results support theoretical models and provide insight into the behavior of gluons in dense nuclear matter.
An Italian study found that ultra-processed foods, even if labeled as 'nutritious', pose a significant mortality risk. Combining nutritional composition and degree of food processing provides the most accurate assessment.
A new experiment at Jefferson Lab found that proton-proton and neutron-neutron collisions were responsible for roughly 20% of all collisions, surprising previous measurements which showed a much smaller share. The discovery improves the precision of previous measurements by a factor of ten.
Research linked blood type to early-onset stroke risk in young adults under 60. People with blood type A had a 16% higher risk, while those with blood type O had a 12% lower risk of having an early stroke. The study suggests potential new ways to predict and prevent strokes in young adults.
Astronomers discovered that merging galaxies can rip away gas fueling new stars, providing a possible explanation for why large galaxies are dead. The team found a 'post-starburst' galaxy seven billion light years away with signs of available star-forming fuel, suggesting an extreme collision caused the gas to escape.
Two large studies found a link between high consumption of ultra-processed foods and increased risks of cardiovascular disease, bowel cancer, and death. The findings support policies limiting ultra-processed foods and promote eating unprocessed or minimally-processed foods for improved public health.
The ‘YES Oklahoma’ project seeks to address the underrepresentation of American Indian students in biomedical and cancer research. The program aims to provide research training opportunities for high school students, teachers, and graduate students from underrepresented communities, with a focus on improving community health outcomes.
A study published in NEJM found that individuals infected with previous SARS-CoV-2 variants have four times greater protection against the current Omicron BA.5 subvariant than those who were not infected. This hybrid immunity provides significant protection against future infections.
A study using child-sized humanoid robots found that they can assess mental wellbeing in children more effectively than parent-reported or self-reported testing. The robots were able to encourage children to share their thoughts and feelings, leading to more accurate assessments of their mental health.
A new clinical practice guideline provides guidance on delivering women-focused cardiac rehabilitation programs to increase participation and improve outcomes. The guideline presents 15 recommendations to address inequities in cardiovascular disease care for women.
Researchers at Princeton University have discovered a new method to correct errors in quantum computers, potentially clearing a major obstacle. The technique increases the acceptable error rate four-fold, making it practical for current quantum systems.
Diabetes-resistant mice develop a protective beta cell cluster with reduced glucose uptake and increased beta cell division, while diabetic-prone mice experience metabolic stress and beta cell failure. This study reveals the key role of adaptive gene expression in protecting against type 2 diabetes.
Researchers discovered that combining a new target with an old chemotherapy drug can reduce resistance and potentially improve treatment outcomes for small cell lung cancer. The study used mouse models to show that inhibiting a protein called SMYD3, along with cyclophosphamide, stopped tumors in their tracks.
A meta-analysis of 64 longitudinal studies found that mental health problems remained elevated globally during the pandemic, with North Americans suffering from increased anxiety and depression. In contrast, Latin America and Europe experienced higher rates of insomnia.
Research suggests that super recognizers divide new faces into parts, storing them in the brain as composite images. This allows them to recognize faces better than others even when only seeing smaller regions at a time.
Researchers found that open ocean oxygen-deficient zones shrank during past warm periods due to reduced denitrification rates and changes in tropical Pacific Ocean oxygen content. This suggests a possible link between climate change and ocean oxygen levels.
Researchers found that impressions formed during small talk influenced behavior in strategic games. Participants who believed their partner was an extrovert behaved more cooperatively, while shared personality traits made it harder to out-guess opponents. This study highlights the importance of regular small talk communication.
A study of NASA astronauts found DNA mutations associated with spaceflight, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and blood cancer. Regular screening is recommended to monitor astronaut health.
Researchers at George Washington University found that people perceive objects differently based on their prior knowledge and experience, with manipulable objects perceived faster but with less detail, while non-manipulable objects are perceived slower but with higher detail.
A study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers found that dolutegravir-based regimens are more effective in treating HIV-1 during pregnancy than other commonly used ART regimens. The study showed high viral suppression rates for pregnant people taking dolutegravir, with no observed differences in adverse birth out...
A study published in PLOS ONE found that combining blue and green spaces at former industrial canals improves mental well-being. The research, which utilized ecological momentary assessment, revealed the benefits of these environments on boosting mood and promoting relaxation.
Researchers developed a bionic swimming robot using cultured skeletal muscle tissue and circular distributed multiple electrodes, achieving stable controllability. The robot can be efficiently propelled by only one muscle tissue, making it suitable for various applications.
New polymer nanomembranes with aligned supramolecular macrocycles exhibit superior filtration properties, exceeding conventional membranes. They enable precise tuning of pore size for accurate molecular separations in industries such as pharmaceuticals.
A new method for monitoring coral size and growth has been developed using dental scanning technology, reducing surveying time by 99%. This non-destructive approach allows scientists to measure thousands of tiny corals quickly and accurately without harming them, with the potential to expand large-scale monitoring of ocean health.
A new study published in Frontiers found that excessive blue light exposure can alter cellular functions in fruit flies, potentially leading to accelerated aging. The researchers discovered changes in metabolites essential for cell function and communication between neurons.
A Charité study found that SARS-CoV-2 can trigger chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) in patients. Approximately half of post-COVID patients met the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS, with distinct differences in laboratory results and disease progression between groups.
The study identifies wüstite FeO nanoparticles in lunar soil, suggesting an intermediate state in the thermal decomposition process of olivine. The findings imply that severe space weathering may not have occurred on the lunar surface, warranting further investigation into the incipient formation mechanism of rim structures.
The joint observations of EMM and MAVEN reveal fine-scale structures in proton aurora spanning the full day side of Mars, indicating a chaotic solar wind interaction. This phenomenon is caused by turbulent conditions around Mars allowing charged particles to flood directly into the atmosphere, forming patchy proton aurora.