A national study found that only 9% of teens met the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day during the pandemic, a decline from 16% pre-pandemic. Physical inactivity was linked to poorer mental health and higher stress levels.
Researchers have developed an at-home COVID-19 test with a high-quality assay that can detect the virus with similar reliability to laboratory-based molecular tests. The new test uses loop-mediated isothermal amplification and has unique advantages, such as speed and direct detection of viral RNA in saliva.
Chronic hypertension is driving rising maternal mortality rates in the US, particularly among Black women. The study highlights a 15-fold increase in maternal mortality associated with chronic hypertension over 40 years.
The study reveals the three-dimensional structure of the cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) ion channel, which helps detect light in the eye. The discovery may lead to new treatments for genetic disorders like retinitis pigmentosa, where photoreceptors die off and people go blind.
A new study has identified a biomarker for depression and antidepressant response in human platelets. The biomarker can be detected through a blood test and may indicate therapeutic response within one week of treatment.
A study from Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell University reveals that targeting protein ATF4 and its related metabolic protein SIRT3 can trick lymphoma cells into starving themselves, slowing their growth.
A new wearable sensor has been developed using MXene nanomaterials that can detect changes in pH levels in sweat, which correlate with muscle fatigue. The device measures electrical resistance patterns in response to mechanical stress and pH changes.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to understand the complex dynamics behind shifting social trends, including baby name popularity. The study found that social networks play a critical role in shaping cultural trends, leading to unpredictable outcomes such as declining Emily popularity and rising Emma names.
Researchers discovered that Alzheimer's disease risk genes disrupt the brain's natural protective mechanism against neurodegeneration. The study found that reactive oxygen species and amyloid-beta accelerate disease development in animal models.
A new study by UC Davis Professor Garen Wintemute found that two-thirds of Californians have a direct personal stake in gun violence, with many experiencing violence through hearing gunshots or encountering memorials. The research suggests experiences of violence can permeate communities and may inform public policy and education.
Researchers at West Virginia University aim to develop more precise predictions about the role of individual soil microorganisms in the carbon cycle. They will use stable isotope probing to track carbon uptake and characterize the function of microbes in their natural communities.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that inhibiting the OR5B21 gene significantly decreased breast cancer metastasis to the brain, bones and lung. This discovery may lead to new therapeutic targets to prevent or delay breast cancer's spread.
A new study by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute reduces uncertainty in predicting carbon dioxide release from deforestation scenarios. It highlights the capacity of young, regenerating or secondary forests to pull greenhouse gas from the atmosphere, suggesting that these forests can store up to 15% of Panama's national carbo...
Researchers found that COVID-19 patients have significantly increased levels of oxidative stress and oxidant damage, as well as markedly reduced levels of glutathione. This study suggests that supplementation with GlyNAC may be beneficial to combat these defects in COVID-19 patients.
Scientists have analyzed the lychee genome to uncover its ancient history and identify genetic markers for breeding programs. The study found that lychees were domesticated independently in two regions of China, Yunnan and Hainan, leading to early- and late-maturing varieties.
A clinical trial will test a treatment strategy using a lightweight, wearable robotic device that provides neuromuscular training and makes walking easier for children with cerebral palsy. The study aims to establish fundamental knowledge on adaptive ankle interventions to treat walking impairment relative to standard of care.
Researchers link wu-wei, a practice of non-doing or non-striving, to improved focus and flow states in athletes. By adopting wu-wei, athletes can achieve extraordinary performance without feeling like they're exerting effort.
Researchers developed a new method to complete genetic data gaps using haplotype blocks, improving breeding efficiency in plants. The approach has shown comparable quality to collecting more information from DNA strands, reducing costs in animal and plant breeding.
Researchers found that community engagement is key to addressing risky health behaviors, particularly in lower-income neighborhoods. The study used a neighborhood mapping platform and in-person interviews to investigate how tobacco industry marketing affects neighborhoods of color.
Researchers develop technique to study singlet/triplet ratio of electron pairs in charge-separated states, which could lead to advancements in organic solar cells and qubits. The 'pump-push-pulse' method allows for snapshots of spin state at different times.
Researchers discovered a way to revitalize rechargeable lithium batteries by mobilizing inactive lithium towards electrodes, increasing capacity and lifespan. This process, which involves applying an extra step during charging, slowed degradation and increased lifetime by nearly 30%.
Research at University of California - San Diego found that infants with ASD have impaired neural responses to motherese speech, which is crucial for emotional bonding and learning. Typically developing children show stronger brain activation and interest in motherese.
A Colorado State University study analyzed global health data to identify the leading causes of deaths and disabilities in the state from 1990 to 2019. Cardiovascular disease and cancers accounted for half of the deaths, while musculoskeletal disorders and tobacco use were also significant contributors.
Researchers at George Washington University found that mainstream parenting communities were exposed to misinformation from alternative health and anti-vaccination communities on Facebook. The study reveals how social media machinery can pull these communities closer to extremes, highlighting the need for a new strategy to combat onlin...
A study of over 1,300 patients found that Mild Autonomous Cortisol Secretion (MACS) is much more prevalent than previously reported, with almost every second patient having MACS. The condition was linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, particularly in older women.
The study provides a comprehensive model of the yeast nuclear pore complex, shedding light on its core scaffold and functional adaptations. This discovery may help understand how viruses infect cells and alter their physiology to cause disease.
Researchers are working on developing low-cost, environmentally benign materials that can selectively remove nutrients from municipal and agricultural wastewaters. The goal is to create novel materials for the recovery of phosphates and nitrates, which could become valuable, environmentally friendly fertilizers for agricultural fields.
A cross-sectional study found that mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) predominantly affects women, increasing the frequency and severity of hypertension and type 2 diabetes compared to nonfunctioning adrenal tumors. Patients with MACS carried an increased cardiometabolic burden similar to Cushing Syndrome, even without typical f...
Researchers found that slightly earlier social distancing in communities may have saved up to $132 per resident due to avoided COVID-19 deaths, resulting in significant economic benefits.
Researchers create laboratory model to experimentally confirm the behavior of plasma waves as predicted by theory. By studying the properties of liquid metals and high magnetic fields, they successfully generate Alfvén waves in a molten alkali metal, breaking through the sound barrier for the first time.
A Washington State University study found that people's attitudes toward virtual meetings depend on their public self-consciousness. Those low in this trait tend to have more positive attitudes when their own faces are visible, while highly self-conscious individuals experience worse attitudes.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered that the junctures of 3D semiconductor particles' facet edges display 2D properties, which can boost solar energy conversion technologies. The unique electronic properties of these particles can be leveraged for photocatalytic processes.
Adults from sexual minority groups are more likely to use alternative therapies, skip medication doses, and delay prescription refills to reduce medication costs. The findings highlight a significant disparity in health outcomes for LGBTQ+ patients and underscore the need for improved access to medications.
Researchers compared the energetic strategies of humans and great apes, finding that humans are less efficient at acquiring food due to their high-intensity activities. However, this inefficiency is compensated by a higher return rate on energy investment, making human subsistence strategies successful.
Researchers devised a novel approach to unify quality assessment of generic drugs developed through different processes. The 'population pharmaceutical quality assessment' method uses computational modeling to evaluate process information, providing a scientific tool for objective quality consistency evaluation.
Researchers developed a computer model of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2, shedding light on its mechanism and substrate specificity. This knowledge creates opportunities for therapeutic interventions against cardiovascular disease.
A new interdisciplinary treatment method has shown significant improvements in reducing overeating episodes and emotional issues among individuals with morbid obesity. The treatment combined mental health care with somatics, resulting in a nearly 30% reduction in overeating episodes and improved emotional well-being.
A team of OSU scientists has created a new technology that can scrub carbon dioxide from industrial emissions and convert it into valuable materials. The innovative Lanthanide Metal-Organic Frameworks (LMOF) system uses CO2-rich gas conditions to produce functional materials with diverse applications.
A recent study by North Carolina State University and Northern Michigan University found that eating human food reduces microbial diversity in black bears' guts. The researchers analyzed gut samples from 35 bears and found lower biodiversity in those with a diet rich in processed foods.
A study by Indiana University School of Medicine researchers suggests that reperfusion therapy may not be as effective in halting muscle damage during heart attacks as previously thought. The team's findings indicate that internal bleeding within the heart muscle can continue to cause damage even after the blocked coronary artery is op...
New research reveals that Prochlorococcus thrive in ocean waters where a shared predator with bacteria and phytoplankton coexists, not just warm temperatures. The study suggests this relationship is crucial for the microbe's survival and population distribution.
Researchers created a model system to study the ultrasmall bacteria TM7 and found that they acquired a gene cluster encoding the arginine deiminase system, which helps them survive and multiply in the human oral cavity. This discovery suggests that TM7 may play a more protective role in oral health than previously thought.
Researchers found that T cells generated by vaccinations and COVID-19 infections are critical in limiting disease progression. The study suggests that a robust T cell response can offer protection against Omicron, even with its significantly higher mutations.
A new national survey of over 2,800 women found that most American women are 'moderate' sports fans, watching or following one or more sports over the past year. Women attended about three sporting events over the previous year, with a modest link between fan identification and consumption.
A group of high school students, with the help of a STRI scientist, discovered that Azteca ants rapidly repair damage to their Cecropia host plants. Within 2.5 hours, the hole's size had been significantly reduced and was often completely repaired within 24 hours.