Researchers at West Virginia University have created a simple microwave catalytic process to upcycle single-use plastics into high-value benzene, toluene, and xylene. This technology aims to increase the recycling rate of plastic waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing an alternative source of petrochemical materials.
A new model recommends a staged testing strategy that tracks changing risks as variants emerge and subside. The approach balances costs with benefits of preventing hospitalizations and deaths, while preparing for future pandemics.
An international research team found that the use of digital sequence information is more complex than a one-way street, with many countries providing access to genetic resources and benefiting from data sharing
CERC-002, a cytokine neutralizer, has been shown to improve survival rates by 83.9% among hospitalized COVID patients compared to 64.5% with placebo. The treatment targets the immune response early on, preventing disease progression.
According to a new study, climate change will force 45% of transboundary fish stocks to shift significantly by 2100, raising tensions and potential conflicts over resource management. This shift will disproportionately affect tropical countries and potentially collapse international agreements.
A pooled data analysis of 8 commonly used COVID-19 lateral flow tests found they fell short of minimum criteria set by WHO and US/UK regulators. The tests' accuracy varied between children with and without symptoms, raising concerns about their use in schools.
Researchers found that adolescent arterial stiffness may be a causal risk factor for hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance in young adulthood. Arterial stiffness also temporally precedes low HDL-cholesterol in young adults, with a positive association with triglyceride levels.
The study found significant differences in ambulatory care usage rates among different insurance types during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers examined whether there were differences by insurance type in the return to expected rates of use of ambulatory care services.
Researchers found that a third of patients with wet age-related macular degeneration can safely stop eye injection therapy without further vision loss. Patients who stopped treatment showed better visual acuity, gain of vision, and less fluid in their retina compared to those requiring continued injections.
New research reveals that youth with ADHD are more likely to experience COVID-19 symptoms, sleep problems, and anxiety related to infection risk. The study found that these individuals are less responsive to factors like parental monitoring and school engagement that may mitigate the impact of pandemic school closures.
A new study from the University of Otago found that children are exposed to 554 brands per 10-hour day, or nearly a brand a minute. The majority of these exposures occurred in school, at home, and in-store, with most coming from brand labels, product packaging, and commercial signage.
A study published in Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery found that eye-tracking systems can enable critically ill, non-verbal patients to communicate their pain levels, mood, quality of life, and self-esteem. The results showed that many patients experienced negative emotions despite adequate treatment.
The Massachusetts General Hospital team implemented three strategies to increase access and address concerns of immigrant patients, including offering patient education in multiple languages and integrating medical interpreters into virtual visits. These efforts aim to reduce disparities and improve care for all patients.
Engineers developed a computational modeling strategy to simulate restoration strategies for reinforced concrete columns. The models predict the effects of repair methods on column strength and ductility before and after repair.
A recent study involving over 10,000 participants found that high phytosterol levels are associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease. The research identified five new genetic loci linked to phytosterol concentrations and their impact on cardiovascular health.
A recent study by MIT researchers found that family members trust devices with human-like social behaviors, such as Amazon's Alexa or Jibo's social robot. The study revealed significant effects of branding on perceptions, showing users viewed Google as more trustworthy than Amazon despite similar designs and functionality.
Researchers have developed a method to reverse insecticide resistance in mosquitoes using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. This approach could significantly reduce the amount of insecticides used and combat devastating diseases like malaria. The new genetic strategy replaces an insecticide-resistant gene with its susceptible counterpart.
The University of Bath's Centre for Smart Warehousing and Logistics Systems is developing algorithmic expertise, while Logidot will further enhance IoT tracking technology to optimize warehouse operations. The project aims to address rising demands for fast deliveries, improve supply chain efficiency, and reduce costs.
A Korean research team created a DUV LED using hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), emitting strong UV light with low skin penetrability. The new material has higher luminescence efficiency and enables miniaturization, making it suitable for various applications.
Researchers developed a multifunctional microfiber probe for real-time monitoring of cellular molecules and changes in cell morphology. The nanowire probe enabled sensitive detection of refractive index distribution in single living cells during apoptosis.
A study ranking 81 countries on end-of-life care found that only six earned an A grade, while 36 received Ds or Fs. The US ranked 43rd, highlighting the need for improvement in palliative care globally. Experts emphasize the importance of making advance care plans and discussing wishes with loved ones.
Researchers at Wayne State University have found that SARS-CoV-2 can induce fetal immune responses in pregnant women, even if they don't display symptoms. This increase in inflammatory markers poses a risk for preterm birth, stillbirth, and other complications.
A new review suggests that moderate coffee consumption can stimulate digestive processes and help movement through the colon. The study also found a possible association between coffee consumption and reduced risk of gallstones and certain liver diseases. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings.
A new study suggests that environmental factors like nitric oxide from lightning and seawater may play a role in the emergence of COVID-19 variants. The researchers propose that these environmental factors could promote the possibility of viral mutations, rather than causing them directly.
A research team led by Youwei Zhang discovered a new protective function of the protein 53BP1 in preserving DNA structure. This mechanism involves liquid-liquid phase separation, allowing 53BP1 to stabilize proteins at condensed DNA regions, maintaining genome stability and preventing diseases like cancer and premature aging.
A study found that adolescents' ratings of food products were influenced by naturalness, with simpler judgments on taste components. Experts also applied the same rule, but with more consistent knowledge about food ingredients. The results suggest that nutrition education for adolescents should target their knowledge about food ingredi...
A meta-analysis published in The Lancet Oncology reveals that men with intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer experience improved overall survival with the addition of hormone therapy to radiotherapy. The study found prolonged adjuvant hormone therapy benefits men, while neoadjuvant hormone therapy did not.
Scientists at the University of Missouri study photodissociation reactions on the quantum level, revealing strong quantum effects that challenge classical 'billiard-ball' models. The research could lead to a better understanding of atmospheric chemistry and develop new theoretical frameworks.
The project explores African American Muslim hermeneutic tradition and global Islamic practices to advance public knowledge on religion, race, and identity. It aims to fill scholarly gaps and influence academic narratives through various activities, including workshops and online forums.
A recent analysis of 7.8 million VA patients found significant disparities in localized and metastatic prostate cancer incidence between African Americans and whites. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address racial gaps in prostate cancer care.
Researchers at George Mason University, led by Duminda Wijesekera and Vijay Shah, have received $100,000 in funding to develop a multi-cloud environment with decentralized trust management for the manufacturing industry. The goal of this project is to implement OpenStack-SDN-based PoPs across multiple cloud environments.
Vaccination prioritization aims to reduce mortality and epidemic progression by targeting older individuals, minimizing selection pressure on virus variants. By considering evolutionary dynamics alongside epidemic dynamics, researchers can develop effective vaccine strategies to combat emerging variants.
Researchers studied evacuees from Finland during WWII and found that cultural similarities, such as language and social networks, were crucial for successful migrations. Being younger, male, educated, and linguistically similar to the host population also increased the likelihood of staying in a new home.
A team of scientists from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology developed a deep learning-based approach to predict SC2 battle outcomes by considering army composition and terrain type. The proposed model leveraged parameter sharing, enabling it to analyze complex factors accurately and make predictions.
A new study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that direct oral anticoagulants significantly decrease cancer-associated venous thrombosis recurrence without increasing bleeding. The study involved 2,894 patients and showed a 41% decrease in thrombosis recurrence with direct oral anticoagulants compared to parenteral dalteparin.
An international team of researchers concludes that humanity has exceeded a planetary boundary related to environmental pollutants, including plastics. The study finds that the production and release of chemicals have negative effects on Earth systems, including biodiversity and biogeochemical cycles.
Rice University researchers developed a microfluidic platform to analyze how infectious bacteria evolve resistance to antibiotics. The platform allows for controlled environments and fine-tuning of conditions, revealing previously unknown pathways to resistance.
A nationwide study found that weight loss prior to starting infertility treatments did not increase the chances of having a healthy baby. Women with obesity and unexplained infertility who lost weight before beginning therapy did not have a greater chance of delivering a healthy baby than those who did not lose weight.
A new collision-avoidance system using explainable artificial intelligence enables robots to safely navigate and perform tasks in space. The system was tested in simulations and prototype design, showing promise for future applications in on-orbit servicing and assembly.
Researchers from Uppsala University found that ocean productivity declined rapidly 4.6 million years ago in tropical regions, likely caused by reduced East Asian monsoon intensity and decreased riverine nutrient supply, coinciding with changes in the Earth's orbit.
Research finds a strong association between retinal age and real age, with large gaps associated with increased mortality risk. The 'retinal age gap' could be used as a screening tool to predict mortality risk, particularly for non-cardiovascular causes.
A new study shows that students with attention problems are more likely to cheat, as inattention can lead to hyperactivity, creating a perfect setup for cheating. The study suggests that many students with attention issues don't receive the help they need, leading them to resort to cheating.
Researchers developed autohaem devices to automate blood smears, increasing accuracy and efficiency in malaria diagnosis. The devices can produce high-quality smears equivalent to those created by human experts, reducing errors and improving patient outcomes.
A randomized clinical trial of 562 noncritically ill COVID-19 patients found that P2Y12 inhibitor use did not improve survival free of organ support. The study concluded that a combination of a P2Y12 inhibitor and heparin therapy had no significant impact on hospitalization outcomes.
The University of Surrey researchers have developed a method to generate up to 3.1% biaxial strain and 8.5% uniaxial strain in single-crystal silicon using ion implantation, which could lead to the development of germanium lasers and near-infrared sensors for smartphones.
Researchers have developed a label-free detection technique that digitally counts intact SARS-CoV-2 virus particles in saliva or exhaled breath. The approach uses an aptamer attached to a biosensor to selectively recognize and capture viruses, providing lower cost and reduced time to diagnose infections.
A study found that sleep and biological rhythm variables are associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in women during the peripartum period. Changes in circadian quotient, nighttime activity, and rest fragmentation were linked to higher depressive and anxiety symptoms.
A new study published in Science reveals distinct filament structures in Alzheimer's disease, with Type I filaments found in sporadic cases and Type II in familial cases. The findings may lead to new prevention and treatment strategies.
A disturbing trend of increasing young-onset gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas has been observed in South Australia over the past three decades, with a significant increase in incidence rates among males aged under 50. Improved survival rates for older adults have not been seen in younger patients, except for those with colorectal cancer.
Surveys involving 100,000 participants in 26 countries found a correlation between belief in conspiracies and identification as far-left or far-right. The research suggests that conspiracy theories are more pronounced among those who feel disenfranchised and lack political control.
A large-scale review of anti-inflammatory drugs used for autoimmune disorders suggests that current treatments can worsen lipid metabolism, leading to increased cardiovascular disease risk. Researchers propose the development of combination therapies targeting lipid metabolism to reduce immune complications and CVD risk in patients.
Researchers found that the way a newborn is fed affects its oral bacteria makeup, with exclusively breastfed infants sharing fewer maternal bacteria than those fed formula or a combination of both. This suggests that breast milk may play a role in regulating the mother-derived oral bacterial colonization.
The Curiosity rover has detected large amounts of carbon 12 in Martian rocks, which could be indicative of biological processes. The discovery is intriguing, but scientists caution that more data is needed to rule out non-biological explanations.
A new MRI technique has been developed to detect changes in multiple sclerosis (MS) at an earlier stage. This technique, proton MR spectroscopy with a 7-tesla magnet, can visualize brain changes that appear normal on conventional MRI scans.
Researchers found rural patients with acute cardiovascular conditions are less likely to receive important procedures and treatments, resulting in higher mortality rates. The study highlights the need for public health and policy efforts to improve rural healthcare outcomes.
A study of 118 conservation units in Brazil found that 60% use unsuitable methods to detect deer presence. Visual analysis of droppings, fur, and footprints is a reliable method for most species, but others require DNA testing or camera traps.
Two recent studies explain the origin of Fast Blue Optical Transients (FBOTs), such as AT 2018cow and SN 2018gep. The research teams propose that pulsational pair-instability of massive stars may cause variation among FBOTs, leading to a range of supernova luminosities.
A Harvard University study found significant variations in sex differences in COVID-19 outcomes across states and over time, suggesting social factors play a primary role. The research reveals that 30% of the variation in sex disparities can be attributed to state-level differences.
A study published in MBio found that removing the NS2 protein from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) allows the human body's immune response to destroy the virus before exaggerated inflammation begins. This discovery could lead to new therapeutics targeting this protein for other respiratory viruses like influenza A and SARS-CoV-2.
The SETI Institute has teamed up with Louisiana State University and Mississippi State University to assist in designing the science program for L-CAM 1, a lunar-based telescope. The team developed two science cases for observing targets based on understanding the benefits and limitations of a lunar observatory.