A team of researchers used sophisticated imaging algorithms to reveal a thin, bright ring of light created by photons flung around the back of a supermassive black hole. The photon ring, comprising increasingly sharp sub-rings, confirms theoretical predictions and offers new ways to explore these mysterious objects.
A new study published in Development Cell shows that microglial cells develop in a unique wave-like pattern throughout human brain development. The research, led by Professor Diego Gomez-Nicola, used post-mortem human brain samples to create the largest-ever study on microglial development across the human lifespan.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover a molecule called CGRP that enables neurons to bundle threatening sensory cues into a unified signal, conveying it to the amygdala. The study may lead to new therapies for fear-related disorders such as PTSD and autism.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered piezoelectricity in two-dimensional materials across phase boundaries. The discovery enables the creation of ultra-sensitive temperature or pressure sensors and tiny actuators, revolutionizing electronic applications.
New research reveals that fossil fuel companies' decarbonisation scenarios are incompatible with Paris Agreement goals, with most projecting high levels of warming and exceeding the 1.5°C limit. The study provides a critical assessment of scenarios published by public, commercial, and academic institutions.
A new study published in the Journal of Food Engineering found that pulsed light technology can eliminate multiple harmful pathogens from food, including E. coli and Salmonella. The technique has strong potential to help make food safer to consume and could be applied more generally in sanitized environments.
A special section in BioScience synthesizes insights from 40 years of long-term ecological research, highlighting the diversity of ecosystem responses to climate change. The study demonstrates that regional drivers, human activities, and interactions between climate drivers shape these responses.
A nationwide survey in El Salvador identified areas with high Chagas disease transmission, highlighting the need for targeted vector control measures. The study suggests that continued efforts are necessary to combat this neglected tropical disease.
Researchers confirmed a key aspect of Professor Steen's theory on how liquids interact with surfaces, showing that water droplet mobility can be controlled by vibration frequencies. The study, conducted on the International Space Station, used microgravity to demonstrate the impact of surface roughness on contact line movement.
A UCLA team has made a significant breakthrough in developing hydrogen fuel cell technology that uses tiny graphene pockets to increase efficiency and reduce platinum usage. The new approach enables the creation of smaller particles with more surface area, allowing for better catalytic activity and increased durability.
A new study suggests that the true figure of undiagnosed diabetes in the US is significantly lower than current government estimates, with a prevalence rate of around 9.5% of the total diabetes burden. Disparities in access to healthcare and screening contribute to higher rates in older adults, racial/ethnic minorities, and those witho...
Growing up in harsh conditions has a lasting impact on hyenas' performance and social relationships. Early-life adversity affects their ability to thrive in the wild.
A new study reveals that boomerangs were used to shape the edges of stone tools by Australian Indigenous communities. The research demonstrates comparable use-wear impacts on boomerangs as those observed on Paleolithic bone retouching tools, over 200,000 years ago.
A new method, XTEC, uses machine learning to analyze large volumes of X-ray data, revealing previously hidden structural changes in materials. This accelerates materials discoveries and unlocks new properties of temperature-sensitive devices.
A study by CNIC scientists has identified a key role for the MKK3/6–p38γ/δ signaling pathway in cardiac hypertrophy. Inhibition of p38α promotes an unexpected activation of the other branch of the pathway, consisting of the proteins MKK3, p38γ, and p38δ. This activation induces another key pathway in cardiac hypertrophy, the mTOR pathway.
Researchers found gout is more prevalent among Black adults in the US compared to White adults, with differences attributed to factors like poverty and body mass index. The study used nationally representative data from 2007-2016 and suggests that culturally sensitive efforts could help reduce disparities.
Researchers found that a five-day delay in identifying cases and isolating contacts hindered contact tracing programs' effectiveness. Reducing this delay can prevent 26.6% more infections under certain conditions.
Researchers discovered 13 cases of asymptomatic MSM with positive monkeypox virus PCR results in anal samples, raising concerns about the outbreak's transmission dynamics. The findings suggest that vaccination may not be an effective strategy for preventing infection, highlighting the need for expanded public health interventions.
Researchers have found that small mammal diversity decreased with increasing human modification and that modern communities are fundamentally distinct from past ones. Even protected spaces can conserve native small mammal communities, highlighting their importance in urban conservation projects.
A Texas A&M study sheds light on a major health concern for people with Down syndrome, who may not heal from bone fractures. The researchers found that the glue-like cartilage that helps bones heal doesn't form properly in individuals with DS, leading to devastating health impacts.
A recent study by University of Waterloo researchers found that tangible rewards outperform cash rewards in motivating employees. The key to success lies in offering rewards with distinct and pleasurable qualities, such as ease of use, hedonic nature, novelty, and presentation.
Visitors to the Illinois Holocaust Museum reported feeling empowered and motivated to address injustice after experiencing exhibits on human rights and anti-racism. The study found that negative emotions triggered by the exhibits can lead to collective positive emotions, inspiring visitors to engage in social activism.
A team of scientists investigated the Cl-initiated oxidation of methacrolein (MACR) under NOx-free conditions, revealing key species and reaction pathways. The study found that MACR reacts with Cl atoms to form C4H5O and C4H6OCl radicals, which then react with O2 to produce peroxy radicals.
A recent study found that healthcare workers are at a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection when exposed to patients with COVID-19 and wear inadequate masks. The study analyzed the risk of infection among 2900 healthcare workers based on their preferred mask type and level of exposure to patients with COVID-19.
A new study found that 'gaps' within DNA protein and sequence alignments can provide valuable information about nucleotide and amino acid substitutions. The finding is particularly relevant for studying distantly related species.
A new study projects significant declines in freshwater storage in parts of Asia, including a near-total collapse for Northern India and Pakistan, due to climate change. The Tibetan Plateau, a critical water source for nearly 2 billion people, is expected to lose nearly 100% of its water availability under a 'business as usual' scenario.
A novel method called On The Fly (OTF) accelerates Monte Carlo shielding simulation, making it applicable for complex fusion reactors. The OTF method achieved remarkable acceleration effects of 13 to 20 times compared to existing variance reduction methods.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a new chip that can detect cancer metastasis in blood samples with high precision and scalability. The Cluster-Well chip uses microfluidic technology to isolate circulating tumor cell clusters, allowing for earlier and more targeted treatment.
Two new-to-science scorpions, Paruroctonus soda and P. conclusus, are described by Bay Area high school students Harper Forbes and Prakrit Jain in collaboration with the California Academy of Sciences. The species are alkali sink specialists found only in playas from Central and Southern California.
A double-blind study found that 12.5% of placebo-treated individuals and 1% of BCG-treated individuals met criteria for confirmed COVID-19, indicating a 92% vaccine effectiveness. The BCG-vaccinated group also displayed protective effects against other infectious diseases, including fewer symptoms and reduced disease events.
A Rutgers-led study estimates that a full-scale US-Russia nuclear war would cause global crop production to decline by up to 90% and lead to widespread starvation. This could result in over 5 billion people dying of hunger, with severe disruptions in global food markets.
A hormone secreted by fat cells has been identified as a potential therapeutic target for liver cancer. The study found that neuregulin 4 suppresses the growth of liver tumors in mice with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, suggesting a new approach to treating hepatocellular carcinoma.
Researchers at Iowa State University found a 900-year cooling trend in the Gulf of Maine, reversing to rapid warming since the late 1800s. The study used clam shell data and climate simulations to link the change to increased greenhouse gas concentrations.
A team of researchers has identified a promising prognostic and therapeutic target for patients with metastatic breast cancer: integrins αv and β1. These proteins are highly expressed in extracellular vesicles from tumour cells and may help develop new ways to assess, monitor, and suppress cancer metastasis.
A study of nearly 3,200 individuals found that electric scooter riders were more likely to be young and intoxicated when injured. Implementing stricter helmet and alcohol policies, improving infrastructure, and awareness campaigns may help reduce injuries among electric scooter users.
A study of bird survey data reveals that iconic backyard birds are experiencing declines in prevalence in urban areas, while introduced species are on the decline. The findings highlight the importance of monitoring and conservation action in suburbs to protect biodiversity.
A new study reveals that methamphetamine use is widespread in rural America, driving overdoses and deaths. The research found that people using both methamphetamine and opioids had a significantly higher risk of nonfatal overdose, with 22% reporting an overdose in the past six months.
Research by University of Texas at Arlington expert Traci Freling shows that the magnitude of negative information effects depends on crisis characteristics and product type. Companies should detect trouble early, diagnose crisis traits, and take swift action to mitigate harm.
Researchers discovered that face centering, not saliency, plays a key role in guiding attention to faces in videos as people age. The findings have implications for children's television programming and the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
Researchers found that gifted word learners, a rare breed of dogs capable of learning multiple toy names, exhibit even higher levels of playfulness than typical border collies. The study suggests a correlation between playfulness and giftedness in learning object verbal labels.
Researchers have developed a method to create colorful solar panels by applying a thin layer of photonic glass, which reflects selective colors based on microscopic zinc sulfide spheres. The new technology results in energy efficiency improvements of up to 21.5% while maintaining color and durability.
Researchers found that astrocytes can transfer their mitochondria to damaged neurons after a brain hemorrhage, stimulating the production of an enzyme that neutralizes free radicals. This treatment showed improved neurological recovery in mice, but not if the mitochondria were without the protective enzyme Mn-SOD.
A new study published in Pediatric Transplantation found that pediatric kidney transplant patients have better long-term outcomes when their kidney comes from a living donor. The study analyzed data from the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network database and compared the rates of graft failure and death among children who received k...
A recent international study has shed light on the inner workings of the adaptive immune response, revealing how killer T cells recognize viral invaders using molecular road signs. The study highlights the crucial role of chaperones in ensuring the stability and longevity of these road signs, allowing for more effective detection and d...
Researchers created mouse models with gene mutations linked to a rare seizure disorder, finding that two types of changes increase electrical signals and lead to symptoms. The findings provide new insights into the disease mechanism and suggest potential treatment options, including stimulants.
A new study published in PNAS found that angiotensin-II, a blood pressure hormone, can enhance bacterial killing functions, increase bacterial clearance, and modulate systemic inflammatory responses in sepsis. The treatment improved immune function without increasing inflammatory injury.
A new study led by Marc Veldhoen found that tissue resident white blood cells use glucose as an energy source and have a faster metabolism than circulating lymphocytes. This discovery highlights the importance of having a balanced diet for a healthy immune response.
A recent study reveals racial and sex disparities in gout prevalence, with Black adults more commonly affected. Culturally informed efforts targeting diet and social determinants may help reduce these disparities.
Researchers developed a spectroscopic method to evaluate astaxanthin isomers' antioxidant activity against singlet oxygen. The study found that the 1O2 quenching capacity of cis-astaxanthin was significantly higher than all-trans astaxanthin, offering new insights into astaxanthin's practical application in the food industry.
Researchers at Drexel University have developed a new MXene material that can efficiently remove mercury from contaminated water. The carboxylated titanium carbide MXene has shown superior performance in removing mercury ions compared to existing adsorbents, with the ability to capture 95% of mercury ions within one minute.
A team of scientists used environmental DNA (eDNA) to document the breadth of high-alpine biodiversity on Mt. Everest, identifying organisms from 187 taxonomic orders. The study found surprising presence of domestic dogs and chickens, highlighting human impact on the landscape.
A team of researchers has successfully recovered muscle movements in paralyzed mice using organic artificial nerves. The study demonstrates a new approach to overcoming nerve damage using neuromorphic technology, paving the way for wearable neural prosthetics and improving quality of life for those with related diseases and disorders.
Researchers have found a new method to process formamidinium-based perovskite films, relieving limitations by using ammonia treatment. This approach enables the creation of highly uniform films with improved power conversion efficiency.
Recent research has found significant decreases in bias across explicit attitudes in the US over 14 years. Fear responses to imagined stimuli are also acquired and generalized, with no long-term change in implicit attitudes towards age, disability, or body weight. Gender differences in verbal fluency and memory have been identified, wi...
Researchers compiled their research results in a detailed review article to provide insight-driven material optimization for memristive memory cells. The article explains the physical principles and models behind these cells, which can function like artificial synapses in neuromorphic circuits.
A study of rural communities in the US found that people using both methamphetamine and opioids had the highest risk of nonfatal overdose. The study suggests that addressing methamphetamine use alongside opioid use is crucial for reducing overdose rates in these communities.
An international research team led by the University of Göttingen has discovered unexpected quantum effects in naturally occurring double-layer graphene. The study reveals a variety of complex quantum phases emerging at temperatures near absolute zero, including magnetic behavior without external influence.
A study found that biodiversity conservation in national parks is strongly associated with socioeconomic conditions, including the Human Development Index. National parks in countries with higher HDI values showed lower species abundance declines compared to those with lower HDI.
A study published in Patterns shows that five digital medicine companies share browsing data related to health topics with Facebook for lead generation and advertising purposes. The researchers found that two companies targeted ads consistent with their own privacy policies, while the other three did not comply with their policies.
Despite DeepMind's neural network claiming superiority, scientists question its performance on predicting electron interactions in chemical systems. The BBB test set shows limited understanding of fractional-electron systems, raising concerns about the AI's ability to generalize.