Research by Swansea University found that an optional wellbeing science module significantly improved university students' feelings of wellbeing. The study demonstrated the beneficial impact of strategically designed modules on student wellbeing during challenging times, including the Covid pandemic.
A study published in Molecular Therapy — Methods & Clinical Development shows that delivering the protein EPS8 via gene therapy can rescue malfunctioning inner ear hair cells that transduce sound. In mice affected by recessive deafness, EPS8 increases stereocilia length and restores hair cell function.
Researchers found that a specific amino acid substitution in the VMAT1 gene alters amygdala-dependent behaviors associated with anxiety, providing insight into its role in cognitive and emotional functions. Humanized substitutions of Vmat1 in mice revealed decreased levels of anxiety-like behaviors, supporting previous human studies.
Penn State researchers developed an at-home saliva-based testing platform that detects COVID-19 with the same sensitivity as PCR tests. The platform uses RT-LAMP technology to provide rapid results in 45 minutes.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School found that high levels of homocysteine in the liver correlate with severity of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Supplementing vitamin B12 and folic acid reversed inflammation and fibrosis in preclinical models.
Researchers found that California's forest carbon buffer pool has depleted at least 95% of its contributions within the first 10 years due to wildfires and disease. The program's self-insurance mechanism is unable to guarantee that credited forest carbon remains out of the atmosphere for at least 100 years.
A team of UNLV-led researchers questions the hypothesis that modern humans experienced an evolutionary decrease in brain size during the transition to complex societies. They analyzed a dataset of early human fossil and museum specimens, finding no reduction in brain size over 30,000 years.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis have discovered a new pathway for cereals to capture nitrogen from the air, reducing the need for expensive fertilizers. The breakthrough could save farmers billions of dollars annually and benefit the environment by decreasing nitrogen pollution.
A digital support tool has been shown to be effective in reducing alcohol intake, with participants experiencing a 25% decrease in consumption after four months. The tool's personalized features and stigma-free approach may make it more appealing to those seeking help.
Grassland restoration requires long-term approaches and a deep understanding of ancient ecosystems to promote biodiversity and ecosystem services. The authors propose three considerations to guide restoration interventions, including re-establishing feedbacks among disturbance, vegetation, and belowground soil development.
A team of researchers from The Mount Sinai Hospital has made a groundbreaking discovery into the genetic and molecular mechanisms that predispose individuals to Alzheimer's disease. They identified 21 candidate risk genes, including SPI1, which regulates microglia and AD risk.
A Cornell University-led study confirms that heat-stressed dairy cows develop gut permeability, leading to reduced milk production. Feeding cows organic acids and pure botanicals can partially restore milk production and improve nitrogen efficiency.
A new study from the University of Washington and the National Park Service measured 38 years of change for glaciers in Kenai Fjords National Park. The study found that 13 of 19 glaciers have shown significant retreat, while two have advanced. Lake-terminating glaciers are retreating at a faster rate than other types.
Professor Gary Latham of the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management has been recognized with the Dave Ulrich Impact Award for his groundbreaking research on goal setting and its impact on human resource management. His work has significantly advanced the field, with hundreds of academic and practitioner articles published.
Researchers from the University of Bonn found that dwarf galaxies in one of Earth's nearest galaxy clusters show signs of disturbance without dark matter halos. The study's results contradict previous models, suggesting an alternative gravity theory might be more accurate.
A new hydrogel-based platform increases vaccine thermal stability, enabling distribution in diverse regions without strict temperature control. The technology has the potential to reduce economic costs and health risks associated with cold chain logistics.
Researchers developed a novel method to visualize proteins secreted by cells with high resolution, using plasmonic-fluor technology. The FluoroDOT assay is versatile, low-cost and adaptable, providing a more comprehensive look at these proteins.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University find that existing coal-fired plants can produce electricity at a cost comparable to renewables with energy storage. The study suggests modifications to current tax incentives to increase deployment of carbon-constrained fossil-fuel and negative emissions technologies.
A systematic review of 301 academic articles identified 227 unique linkages between cultural ecosystem services and human well-being, including 16 distinct underlying mechanisms. The study found that positive interactions through nature, such as recreation and aesthetic value, contribute to improved mental and physical health.
Researchers at NIH have developed a 3D structure of the twinkle protein, which helps identify mutations that cause mitochondrial diseases. The discovery could lead to targeted treatments for patients with conditions like progressive external ophthalmoplegia and Perrault syndrome.
Researchers discovered how coronaviruses use caspase-6 to cleave and neutralize the host's interferon response, facilitating viral replication. By inhibiting or overexpressing caspase-6, researchers reduced coronavirus replication in various models, suggesting a potential target for antiviral treatment.
Researchers at Goethe University discovered a feedback loop that readies the auditory cortex for incoming acoustic signals in bats. This finding challenges previous views on information flow and highlights the significance of feedback loops in the brain.
A new study has shown that the TB vaccine can produce a long-lasting 'trained immunity response' in infants, lasting more than 14 months after vaccination. The research found that the BCG vaccine's off-target effects on the immune system can lead to reprogramming of genes in a specific blood cell type, known as monocytes.
The New York State military forces contributed significantly to the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 13,000 personnel were deployed to support vaccination efforts, provide medical care, and facilitate logistics. The study highlights the critical role of military forces in combating this global health crisis.
Researchers analyzed over 140,000 class meetings and found no evidence of in-class transmission of SARS-CoV-2 despite full-occupancy and masking. The study provides solid evidence that BU's disease mitigation events limited transmission in the classroom.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that the in-class transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was extremely low at a large urban university with strict health measures in place. The analysis of 140,000 class meetings revealed negligible cases, indicating effective control of the virus.
Researchers at Yale University discovered that purslane, a common weed, can thrive in drought conditions due to its integrated C4+CAM photosynthesis system. This novel metabolic pathway enables the plant to efficiently use resources and protect itself from water stress.
A new set of guidelines aims to increase patient diversity in lung cancer clinical trials by relaxing eligibility requirements. The recommendations, published in JAMA Oncology, suggest that patients with prior or concurrent cancers, brain metastases, and mild liver impairment can be included in trials.
A new study finds that mild smog exposure during pregnancy is linked to higher risks of low birth weight, high blood pressure, and early water breaks. The research highlights the need for environmental protection measures to reduce air pollution's impact on pregnant women and their unborn children.
A clinical trial found that three smoking cessation treatments could also reduce alcohol consumption and found high rates of behavior change for both. Nicotine replacement therapy performed as well as prescription drugs in reducing alcohol intake.
A recent clinical trial led by Massachusetts General Hospital validated a strategy for increasing shared decision-making about colorectal cancer screening in older patients. Brief physician training plus reminders resulted in patients reporting higher quality conversations, with more discussing their preferences and having more options...
Employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities decreased from 34.9% in June 2022 to 34.4% in July 2022. Labor force participation rate also decreased, but remains above pre-COVID levels and historic high of 2008.
A new study challenges a popular scenario explaining the origin of eukaryotes, suggesting that cells can grow to considerable volume without acquiring mitochondria. Researchers explore energy requirements and genome arrangement in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, revealing overlap between cell types rather than a hard boundary line.
Children are at risk of heat-related health problems due to obesity and physical inactivity. Fitter adults can better tolerate high temperatures, but research suggests children need daily physical activity to build fitness.
Researchers found that endothelial cells in blood vessels drive the body's metabolism and produce nitrous oxide to regulate brown fat production. This discovery reverses long-held ideas about the relationship between diabetes, fat and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital found that wrist-worn devices are more cost-effective than traditional electrocardiograms and pulse palpation for screening individuals with atrial fibrillation. The use of these devices was also associated with a reduction in stroke incidence.
A new study by neuroscientists at MIT's Picower Institute finds that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and motor cortex collaborate to update understanding and behavior when a task requires more steps. The ACC helps M2 adjust to new rules, but reduced activity leads to increased negative outcome encoding cells' activity in M2.
Researchers used wearable devices to screen for atrial fibrillation and found them cost-effective. The study suggests that wearable devices can be a valuable tool in atrial fibrillation detection, particularly in high-risk populations.
A Singapore-based research team has created a systematic engineering approach for optimizing the production of 3D printed food inks with alternative proteins. The method uses Response Surface Methodology to minimize time and resources, resulting in visually appealing, flavorful, and nutritionally adequate foods enhanced with sustainabl...
Researchers used machine learning algorithms and k-D tree data structure to identify 11 previously undetected space anomalies, seven of which are supernova candidates. The team analyzed digital images of the Northern sky taken in 2018 using a k-D tree to detect anomalies through the 'nearest neighbour' method.
A team of MIT engineers and collaborators have devised a way to overcome the foreign body response, forming a thick layer of scar tissue that blocks insulin release. The device is repeatedly inflated and deflated for five minutes every 12 hours, preventing immune cells from accumulating around it.
Researchers will design and distribute two new types of miniscopes, enabling deeper brain observations. The devices will be light enough for rodents, unlocking insights into neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered that even terminally exhausted T cells retain some capacity to function again. They identified approaches to overcome exhaustion by targeting co-stimulation pathways and reprogramming T cells to be resistant to hypoxia, a common tumor microenvironmental signal.
A new dual-plasmid editing system improves DNA digital storage potential by accurately rewriting digital information encoded in DNA sequences. The system, developed by Prof. LIU Kai and colleagues, uses a rationally designed coding algorithm and an information editing tool to store, read and rewrite various types of information.
A study of 482,000 children and adolescents found no link between state laws limiting opioid prescriptions and the receipt of these prescriptions. Alternative strategies, such as youth-specific guidelines, are needed to address this public health concern.
A Rutgers study found that participants with severe insomnia and high rates of alcohol use had lower blackout frequencies than those with low insulinemia, suggesting a potential link between circadian misalignment and altered alcohol metabolism.
An international team has uncovered that eukaryotes have made hundreds of big leaps from sea to soil and freshwater habitats during their evolution. This reveals that adapting to a different salinity is difficult, even for microbes, but still allows them to occupy vacant ecological niches.
A new study found that rural Americans with early-onset Alzheimer's are less likely to be seen by specialists and receive essential tests, which can impact diagnosis, symptom management, and disease progression. This disparity puts rural patients at a disadvantage and overburdens primary care providers.
Pollen from ragweed plants in different regions exhibits varying levels of aggression, influencing allergic reactions. Climate change is projected to increase ragweed allergy cases to 77 million by 2060.
A recent study has revealed that the great current diversity of eukaryotes is largely due to the large number of habitat transitions between sea and land over millions of years. Microbial eukaryotes have made hundreds of leaps from one habitat to another, allowing them to occupy vacant ecological niches.
A nationwide study is investigating the effects of COVID-19 on patients in the US, with a focus on understanding and preventing lingering symptoms. The four-year study, RECOVER Initiative, will enroll up to 20,000 participants and explore factors that put individuals at risk for long-COVID.
A new biosynthesis method has been developed to produce antibiotics from natural substances with added fluorine, which can strengthen bonding and improve accessibility. This technology has huge potential for optimizing polyketides, a gigantic substance class used in various medicines.
Experts argue that seagrasses are crucial for achieving the UN Sustainable Development goals due to their carbon absorption and biodiversity benefits. The conservation and restoration of seagrass meadows can help tackle climate change and promote biodiversity recovery, making them a nature-based solution for the planet's future.
The New York State Operation COVID-19 mobilized over 7,000 service members across 200 sites, administering vaccines, testing kits, and meals, while providing critical services during the pandemic. The mobilization helped prevent tens of thousands of deaths and saved lives through rapid vaccine rollout and testing support.
A new study provides critical insights into the pGC-A membrane receptor, a vital component of cardiovascular regulation. The research offers a clearer understanding of this complex receptor and its signaling mechanisms, paving the way for new anti-hypertensive drugs.
New, high-performance carbon microlattice electrodes made via micro-architected 3D printing could reduce battery manufacturing costs by increasing active materials and minimizing inactive binders. The approach was developed by Tohoku University researchers to unlock the potential of sodium ions for powering batteries.
A study published in the Journal of Child Neurology found that stress, decreased physical activity, and increased screen time during the pandemic worsened headaches and mental health in children. The study, which analyzed data from 107 pediatric patients, highlights the impact of disruptions to daily life on kids with headache disorders.
A Kessler Foundation neuroimaging study found that older individuals reported less state fatigue and showed greater brain activation to combat fatigue. The study also revealed women show greater resilience when faced with a fatiguing task, highlighting age and gender differences in fatigue responses.
A study by the University of the Basque Country detected Arcobacter species in 22.3% of analyzed food samples, with A. butzleri being the most abundant. The bacteria were found to possess virulence genes and could cause gastrointestinal disorders. Biofilm formation on food contact surfaces was also observed.