A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that gastric bypass surgery is the most effective treatment option for patients with severe obesity and type 2 diabetes, leading to greater weight loss and a higher rate of remission. The study found that gastric bypass produces better results regardless of diabetes severity.
A new study found that almost half of all publicly available human microbiome samples come from the US, despite it representing only 4.3% of global population. This raises concerns about the applicability of future microbiome-based medical treatments to countries with limited resources.
Research led by Oregon State University contradicts the common narrative of wildfires igniting on remote public land before spreading to communities. The study found that fires crossing jurisdictional boundaries are primarily caused by people on private property, accounting for more than 60% of ignitions.
Researchers developed a new cell model of the olfactory mucosa, which is impaired in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The study provides new insights into the disease pathophysiology, including the potential role of viral infections and air pollutants in brain function.
Researchers developed patient surrogates to evaluate potential prostate cancer treatments, identifying genes that could be targeted with drugs. The models predicted synergistic effects of treatments and identified promising drug combinations.
The Inka empire's khipu system, a tactile fiber medium, recorded quantitative and qualitative data through encoding systems that still need to be fully grasped. This technology allowed for the expansion of the empire and implies a broad understanding of the language of khipus.
Scientists have discovered a new type of skyrmion with half-integer topological numbers in a ferromagnetic superfluid, challenging the current understanding of these phase defects. This discovery could lead to a major breakthrough in skyrmion research and its applications in particle physics and spintronics.
A University of Minnesota-led study found that COVID-19 boosters significantly reduce infections and hospitalizations. The research showed that booster doses are particularly effective in reducing hospitalizations among the elderly and those with comorbidities.
A new study found that individuals with higher intelligence scores have brains that are better adapted to switch between different cognitive states. The researchers used fMRI scans to monitor brain activity in over 800 adults while they completed various tasks, and found that the brains of highly intelligent people required fewer adjus...
Scientists found a protective gene that counters a deleterious mutation causing atrial septal defects, allowing some people with the mutation to thrive. The discovery provides valuable clinical information for families affected by congenital heart disease.
A new study finds that COVID-19 vaccination is associated with statistically significant declines in multiple psychological distress factors. Vaccination was linked to reductions in perceived risks of infection, hospitalization, and death, as well as improvements in mental health and quality of life.
SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 15, 2022
Research reveals YME1L protein balances cellular proliferation and quiescence in neural stem cells. Defects lead to premature conversion of stem cells into neurons, impairing long-term neural regeneration.
A machine-learning algorithm named MAD3 can predict mechanical properties of metals without performing physical tests, cutting testing time by 1,000 times. The algorithm replaces traditional simulation software, enabling faster research and development with minimal resources.
A new study suggests that incomplete lung cell repair may contribute to the development of chronic fibrotic lung disease in COVID-19 and non-COVID patients. The research proposes novel therapies to promote healthy regeneration and prevent scarring.
A new study found that 10% of those who died by suicide had evidence of elevated autistic traits, indicating likely undiagnosed autism. The research highlights the urgent need for earlier diagnosis and tailored support for suicide prevention.
A new study found that statin intolerance is over-estimated, affecting only 6-10% of patients worldwide. Researchers identified risk factors for statin intolerance, including age, sex, ethnicity, and medical conditions.
A new study published in Radiology found that COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis tends to be less severe and resolve quickly compared to other causes of myocarditis. The study analyzed data from 92 patients with cardiac MRI abnormalities and found that those with vaccine-associated myocarditis had less functional impairment and le...
Researchers identified that 10% of students were recognized as relationally aggressive by peers but not teachers. Students with higher levels of academic competence and female students were more likely to be recognized by both groups. The study suggests that better identification of these students is crucial for effective interventions.
A study published in eLife suggests that repressing hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) may help reduce oxidative stress and tissue damage in diabetes. Researchers found that high glucose levels suppress HIF-1 activity, leading to increased reactive oxygen species production.
The REACH study found that nearly all adolescent girls and young women accepted the option of using a monthly dapivirine vaginal ring or daily oral PrEP. Most preferred the ring, but most were able to use their chosen product some or most of the time. The study suggests that choice is crucial for adherence in HIV prevention.
A UCLA researcher presented a groundbreaking case of an HIV-1 patient in remission after specialized stem cell transplantation for leukemia. The patient has been in remission for 4.5 years and has not experienced any HIV rebound since stopping antiretroviral therapy.
Using ancient and historical DNA can assess population genetic patterns and inform conservation actions. The study reveals that a/hDNA can be compared with contemporary data to set baselines for intra-species genetic diversity and estimate changes in effective population size.
The University of Texas at El Paso Aerospace Center will engage in nuclear materials technology research with a five-year, $5 million grant from the US Department of Energy. This partnership aims to transform national nuclear security through nuclear material science applications and provide opportunities for underrepresented students.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital discovered a new function of miR-10b, interacting with U6 snRNA to alter global splicing in glioma cells. This study highlights the potential for miRNA-based treatments in cancer therapy.
A Swedish research team developed a simple hydrocarbon molecule that changes form and becomes conductive when exposed to electric potential. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of miniature transistors and new mechanical systems at the single-molecule level.
Scientists at Tufts University create nanoparticles that carry genetic instructions to specifically target the lungs, reducing tumors in a preclinical model of a rare genetic lung disease. The breakthrough could lead to improved treatment options for patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis.
A new poll of people aged 50 and older found that nearly 1 in 3 had a COVID-related delay for healthcare appointments in 2021. Many unvaccinated individuals still haven't rescheduled their appointments, posing concerns about preventive care, chronic condition management, and operations.
Researchers from RIKEN created Nikola, an android child that can convey six basic emotions through facial expressions. The study tested the quality of these expressions and found that humans can recognize them with varying accuracy.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that the COVID-19 pandemic led to fewer early-stage and more late-stage breast cancer diagnoses. Researchers at UC San Diego Health surveyed patients with breast and colorectal cancers in 2019 and 2020, finding a significant increase in stage IV diagnoses.
A study tracking 425 patients post-COVID-19 found high prevalence of cognitive deficits, psychiatric impairments, and significant memory decline. Researchers observed no correlation between the severity of the disease or socio-economic factors with psychiatric alterations, suggesting a possible link to delayed inflammatory processes.
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected biomedical research, with a significant shift in priorities towards COVID-19-related studies. Publications and clinical trials in non-COVID fields decreased by up to 25%, while COVID-19-related research saw a surge in publications and grants.
Researchers have developed a new electrode material using a truncated-octahedral LiMn2O4 design to improve lithium adsorption capacity and cycle stability in low-energy conditions. This technology has the potential to address the global challenge of extracting sufficient lithium from brine sources.
A UMass Amherst researcher has received a $3 million grant to study the complex interplay of risk factors for autism, including early life exposure to environmental pollutants and genetic susceptibility. The study aims to better understand how multiple pollutants and the folate system are associated with autistic traits.
A study suggests using Atlas cedar as an alternative to adapt to climate change in Iberian Peninsula forests. The species, native to North Africa, shows similar adaptation patterns to other mountain conifers.
A Texas A&M research team is using dietary supplements of arginine and creatine to improve the overall litter weight and health of individual pig babies. The study's findings also have implications for human fetal development, as arginine plays a key role in pregnancy by promoting blood vessel growth and supporting fetal-placental growth.
A new study found that algae in common lichens can't adapt to temperature changes as fast as the Earth is warming, putting them at risk of extinction. The researchers' analysis suggests it could take hundreds of thousands or millions of years for these algae to evolve and adapt to modern climate change.
A recent ecosystem modeling study by Iowa State University scientists shows that US crop production has led to a tripling of soil nitrous oxide emissions since 1900. The study found that agricultural soils, particularly those devoted to corn and soybean production, are the primary source of these emissions.
Experts warn of the risk of industry funding compromising gambling addiction research, highlighting the need for independent funding to address the pervasive problem. They propose a 1% statutory levy on the gambling industry to support research and treatment provision.
A new study by University of Houston sociologist Kathryn Freeman Anderson reveals significant disparities in the initial COVID-19 vaccine rollout in five urban Texas counties. The research found that Black and Latino neighborhoods were less likely to receive vaccines due to existing healthcare resource shortages.
The Texas A&M AgriLife team will develop a data management system to process, analyze and deliver high-throughput phenotyping data gathered by drones and sensors. This centralized hub will enhance understanding of growth dynamics and genotype x environment interactions for wheat breeders.
Berkeley Lab researchers are working on a two-year project to develop a roadmap for Puerto Rico to meet its 100% renewable energy mandate. The study aims to analyze pathways, power system reliability, and generation planning. Meanwhile, a new fungal strain has been discovered in a spacecraft assembly facility named after Berkeley Lab m...
A study conducted in six sub-Saharan African countries found high mortality rates among hospitalized children and adolescents with COVID-19. The research highlights the need for targeted resources to fight the pandemic in Africa.
Harris Wang, a synthetic and systems biologist at Columbia University, received the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science for his development of tools to track and engineer microbes. His research aims to improve diagnostic and therapeutic applications using genomic technologies.
A research team from the University of Göttingen found that vanilla agroforestry systems have advantages for both humans and nature, particularly when planted on fallow land. However, price fluctuations pose a challenge to sustainable cultivation.
The Commission on the North American Opioid Crisis recommends banning direct marketing to prescribers and curbing industry influence on medical education. The group also suggests standardizing addiction care within health systems and improving access to medication-assisted treatment.
A new study has discovered that as brains mature, the precise ways in which two key memory regions communicate make us better at forming lasting memories. The findings also suggest how brains learn to multitask with age, with slower oscillations in older participants and faster oscillations in younger ones.
Scientists at University of Helsinki found that older mitochondria determine cell fate, controlling daughter cell differentiation and self-renewal. Studying cellular respiration, researchers identified key metabolic changes influencing stem cell identity.
A recent study found that temperature variation affects infection rates and disease outcomes in distinct ways, with different effects depending on the average background temperature. Temperature fluctuations such as heatwaves can reduce infectivity and spore burden of parasites, but may not impact disease outcomes.
A new study finds that men and women in same-sex couples are more likely to choose eco-friendly modes of transportation, such as walking or cycling, and less likely to drive. This 'sexual orientation gap' may be due to environmental preferences, with gay and bisexual individuals valuing the environment more.
Researchers studying acorn worms' regenerative abilities may have uncovered a key to understanding why vertebrates can't regenerate their bodies. The team found that the worms use reprogramming-based mechanisms to create complete body parts, which could lead to advances in reparative medicine for humans.
A new scoring system, MIAAH, accurately identifies patients at highest risk of death and those likely to survive from alcohol-associated hepatitis. The tool incorporates laboratory variables and demographic data, offering a valuable prognostic model for clinicians.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt recorded brain waves of bats to understand how they filter out essential signals from echolocation calls and communication signals. The study shows that rare sounds elicit stronger neuronal responses than frequent ones.
A study found that using two cannulas to place newborns in respiratory failure on life-sustaining ECMO increases mortality rates. The safest path is a single cannula in the right internal jugular, which can remove oxygen-poor blood and add oxygen before returning it to the baby.
A special issue in Botany journal explores relationships among plants, people, science, and medicine, promoting decolonial approaches to ethnobotanical research. The collection highlights the healing potential of plants and emphasizes Indigenous-led projects on medicinally useful plants.
Researchers at the University of Antwerp have discovered a way to alter the skin microbiome using lactobacilli, reducing inflammation and acne lesions. The study shows that topically applied probiotics can effectively target acne-causing bacteria and reduce symptoms.
The American Roentgen Ray Society recognizes Drs. Nguyen, Beheshtian, Harfouch, and Hashiba for their outstanding research and education contributions to the field of radiology. The awards honor the candidates' scientific merit and potential impact on imaging and allied sciences research.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new approach to modeling nonlinear dynamical systems using experimental data. By identifying key structures rather than detailed dynamics, the algorithm reduces calculation time from hours to just minutes.
A new study suggests that small respiratory particles can remain moist and airborne for a longer time and greater distance than previously recognized. The mucus shell surrounding these particles likely reduces evaporation rates, keeping viral particles infectious for up to 30 minutes and traveling distances of up to 200 feet.
Researchers tracked antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination and found that antibodies improve in quality for months after vaccination. Even low levels of antibodies provide some protection as long as the virus doesn't change.
A large meta-analysis suggests that reports of taste loss in COVID-19 patients are genuine and distinguishable from smell loss. The study found that age and sex influenced the prevalence of taste loss, with middle-aged individuals having the highest rate.