Researchers analyze delta variant's biophysical characteristics, revealing unique traits that evade neutralizing antibodies and contribute to severe symptoms. The study sheds light on why vaccinated individuals can still contract the virus and why delta variant hospitalizations are higher than other variants.
The NHS Breast Screening Programme is associated with modest overdiagnosis of breast cancer, estimated at 3.7% of screen detected cancers. However, the benefits of screening in preventing deaths from breast cancer outweigh this risk, according to a recent study.
A recent NIH study found that the loss of 'youth' protein pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) may drive aging in the retina. The study showed that mice lacking PEDF experienced gene changes similar to those seen in age-related macular degeneration, highlighting a potential therapeutic target.
A survey study found an association between childcare stress and burnout, anxiety, depression, and intent to reduce hours or leave the job. Healthcare workers experienced increased stress and burnout during the pandemic, leading to a higher likelihood of leaving their jobs.
Scientists identified that retrons encode toxin proteins kept inactive by a small DNA fragment, unleashing them upon viral attacks. The EMBL team discovered how retrons form antitoxins and found natural switches to trigger growth inhibition complexes.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a blood test that can detect multiple mutations associated with brain cancer, including EGFRvIII. The test showed high sensitivity and specificity, making it a powerful tool for diagnosing gliomas and monitoring tumor progression.
Researchers at the University of Bayreuth have created a test system to characterize and compare passive cooling materials, overcoming challenges in determining their performance. The system mimics key factors influencing passive cooling performance, allowing for reproducible tests under identical conditions.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems created a robot dog named Morti that can walk smoothly within an hour. The robot uses a Bayesian optimization algorithm to learn from sensor data and adapts its virtual spinal cord, allowing it to optimize its walking pattern and minimize stumbling.
A team of astronomers, known for debunking black hole discoveries, found a dormant stellar-mass black hole in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The newly discovered black hole is at least nine times the mass of the Sun and orbits a hot star weighing 25 times the Sun's mass.
Researchers at UCI have identified three sites on the GLI1 protein that can be phosphorylated, weakening its binding with SUFU and allowing it to enter cell nuclei. This process enables uncontrolled growth resulting in cancer. The finding is a significant step toward more effective and personalized cancer treatments.
A study reveals that over 1,400 genes in 218 insect species originated from bacteria, viruses, fungi, and plants through horizontal gene transfer. This discovery suggests that these genes contributed to beneficial traits such as mating behavior, nutrition, and adaptation to environmental changes.
The proportion of healthy-weight young people trying to shed pounds in England has nearly tripled from around 1 in 20 to nearly 1 in 7 over 20 years. Reported slimming attempts among all children, particularly those who are overweight and obese, have shot up, surpassing the rise in excess weight gain and service provision.
The University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Dentistry has developed an AI-powered approach to automate denture design, allowing for high accuracy and reducing treatment time. The new method uses a 3D Generative Adversarial Network (3D-GAN) algorithm to reconstruct the shape of natural teeth and generate prosthetic teeth.
Researchers at ANU have created a new way to synthesize bicyclic peptides, which can attach to specific proteins to fight diseases. The new method allows for more control over the final product and can be automated, increasing accessibility for biomedical researchers.
A University of Ottawa professor argues that Canadian health research must define Black communities accurately to meet their needs. The use of precise language is crucial for comparing study findings, ensuring that only self-identifying Black people participate in studies.
NC State researchers discovered a new way to make the difficult-to-characterize gut bacterium Bifidobacterium more responsive to antibiotics. They also found tiny changes in different strains that reflect large differences in their characteristics, highlighting the need for individualized CRISPR-based genome engineering approaches.
The NHS is facing a critical crisis due to the failure to recognize the ongoing threat of COVID-19. Weekly admissions for COVID-19 have averaged over 9,000, with elective activity 10% below pre-pandemic levels.
Women with active rheumatic disease are at risk of hypertension, preeclampsia, and fetal loss during pregnancy. Effective disease management with safe medications is crucial for a successful pregnancy outcome.
A new study published in Blood Advances found that caregivers for people with multiple myeloma experience higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to the patients they support. The study also highlights a critical gap in communication between providers and caregivers regarding the terminal nature of the disease.
Researchers developed an optical fiber sensor to measure local temperatures on metal surfaces during photo-electrocatalytic reactions. The sensor achieved a thermal resolution of 0.1°C and temporal resolution of 0.1 seconds, revealing correlations between light-induced heating and catalytic activities.
A team of experts finds a dormant stellar-mass black hole in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a neighbor galaxy to our own. The star that formed the black hole vanished without any sign of a powerful explosion.
Researchers at NIST have developed a new type of hardware for AI that uses magnetic tunnel junctions, which are less energy-intensive than traditional silicon chips. The new technology has already passed a virtual wine-tasting test and shows promise for reducing energy use in AI systems.
A study by Durham University found that people's ability to recognize emotions in others is not affected when their whole body is visible. However, they were less accurate at recognizing happiness in masked faces. The researchers used images of full bodies with and without face masks to test participants' emotion recognition skills.
A team of scientists has successfully built a neutron interferometer using two separate crystals, a major breakthrough in quantum physics. This achievement opens up new possibilities for quantum measurements and research on quantum effects in a gravitational field.
Research on Scotland's minimum unit pricing (MUP) policy found that it was associated with larger reductions in consumption among heavier drinkers, but not among women or those who tend to drink less heavily. Consumption actually increased among the heaviest drinking men following MUP introduction.
The July issue of CHEST journal features 62 articles on clinically relevant topics, including asthma and COPD. The journal has received an Impact Factor of 10.262, an increase from 2020's Impact Factor of 9.410.
Researchers at KIST have developed a technology converting CO2 into formate with significantly improved production rates and durability. Formate is a promising candidate for liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) hydrogen storage, offering high storage capacity and safety.
The 9th World Congress on Targeting Microbiota will discuss recent advances in microbiome research, including the potential of naked mole rat's gut microbiome to extend human lifespan. The congress also explores gene editing and microbiome therapy for depression and cancer immunotherapy.
Researchers found that verbal insults deliver a strong emotional impact, capturing attention and triggering a negative response in the brain. The study used EEG and skin conductance recordings to examine the effects of repeated insults versus compliments.
Researchers at Cornell University found connections between the brain's olfactory pathway and visual cortex in dogs, showing that olfaction is integrated with vision in terms of learning about the environment. This study corroborates clinical experiences with blind dogs who function remarkably well despite their condition.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine used tissue nanotransfection (TNT) technology to edit genes in chronic wound tissue, rescuing wound healing. The study found that gene silencing due to DNA methylation was a critical barrier to wound closure.
Researchers evaluated the prediction of a record-breaking heatwave in the Pacific Northwest, finding that forecasts were able to accurately predict the event. The study highlights the importance of trust, preparedness, and early action when extreme weather is forecasted.
A study provides a roadmap for primary care and OB-GYN clinicians to initiate telemedicine abortion services in states where abortion remains legal. The research found similar operational procedures across practice settings, with asynchronous patient-provider communication being the most efficient method.
Researchers developed a novel computational method to control large complex networks using local information, addressing the challenge of controlling complex systems. The method considers computational time and information communication costs to produce optimal choices.
Researchers at UNIGE have found that the S100A9 protein can significantly improve insulin metabolism in diabetic patients, reducing the risk of severe side effects associated with insulin therapy. The protein's anti-inflammatory effect may also help to normalize ketone production and prevent life-threatening conditions.
New research by UMass Amherst professor Jinglei Ping demonstrates the use of graphene for electrokinetic biosample processing and analysis, allowing for faster and more efficient detection of biomolecules. This breakthrough enables the creation of smaller lab-on-a-chip devices with improved time and size efficiencies.
UCF researchers have developed a new liquid biopsy technique that uses the chaperonin complex to detect circulating cancer cells in blood, providing a clearer indication of spreading cancer. This method has the potential to help identify cancer earlier and give patients more treatment options.
A study of nearly 3 million adults found no increased mortality among uninsured or Medicaid patients after major surgery during the pandemic compared to commercial insurance holders. The findings contradict previous concerns about unequal access to care.
Researchers developed a risk algorithm specific to the region, incorporating factors such as age, cholesterol level, and blood pressure. The new score aims to provide greater accuracy in identifying people at high risk of cardiovascular disease in clinical practice.
Researchers found that an elephant's folded skin plays a crucial role in its flexible and strong trunk, enabling it to grasp fragile vegetation and rip apart tree trunks. The study suggests that wrapping soft robotics with a skin-like structure could give machines protection and strength while maintaining flexibility.
A world-first study has confirmed the link between Alzheimer's Disease and multiple gut disorders, revealing shared genetic architecture. The study suggests that abnormal cholesterol levels play a key role in both conditions, and may lead to new potential treatments for Alzheimer's and gut disorders.
Researchers have identified a hormone signal that promotes root swelling, which actually hinders root growth in hard soils. By reducing this response, roots can penetrate harder soils more effectively, safeguarding agricultural yields worldwide.
Researchers from Lehigh University discovered a new, high-temperature, off-axis hydrothermal vent field called YBW-Sentry. The field covers an area equivalent to a football field, roughly twice the size of nearby active vents, and is hotter than any other studied along this section of the East Pacific Rise.
Researchers at UNO and UNL are using machine learning to investigate the metabolic cost of different phases of the gait cycle across different age groups. The goal is to create practical applications for gait rehabilitation, such as designing improved assistive devices.
Research by American Psychological Association finds a small, gradual increase in cooperation across the US since the 1950s, linked to urbanization and societal wealth. The study's findings suggest that increased cooperation may help tackle global challenges such as pandemics, climate change, and immigrant crises.
A new study from Arizona State University found that childhood loneliness is strongly linked to increased stress levels and problem drinking in young adults. The research suggests that mitigating childhood loneliness could be a key strategy for reducing the risk of alcohol use disorders in adulthood, particularly among women.
Researchers found a decline in cardiovascular mortality rates for both Black and white adults over the last 20 years. However, significant disparities in cardiovascular mortality between Black and white adults continue to exist, particularly among younger Black women and those living in highly-segregated areas.
A team from the Department of Energy Engineering at the University of Seville has developed a novel biomimetic design for PEM fuel cells, achieving up to 6.0% higher peak power compared to a reference design. The new design improves water management in high humidity conditions.
Leading scientists propose updated global guidelines to improve rare disease diagnosis using whole-genome sequence data, building on insights from Genomics England's rare disease participants. The guidelines aim to address the challenge of interpreting non-coding region variants and provide a framework for standardizing diagnoses.
A recent study analyzed volunteer motivations in invasive species projects and found that motivations fit three broad themes: environmental concerns, social motivations, and personal reasons. Volunteers are driven to protect native biodiversity in their valued areas, such as Scottish seabird islands and South African Fynbos.
New research reveals that over half of threatened species require targeted recovery actions to ensure their survival. The study found that while expanding protected areas and reducing pollution will benefit many species, 57% would still need specialized interventions such as captive breeding, reintroduction, and vaccination.
A Mayo Clinic study found that a culturally relevant mobile app improved overall heart health scores and behaviors related to diet and physical activity among African American participants. The app, part of the FAITH! program, was designed in collaboration with community partners and showed significant results in a 10-week clinical trial.
A study of 5,329 US patients who died from medical aid found that well-educated, white patients with cancer dominated the group. The majority (72%) had some college education and nearly 75% had cancer.
A global survey of biodiversity experts finds that more species are threatened with extinction than previously thought, with estimates suggesting 30% of species have been lost since 1500. The study identifies climate change, pollution, and land-use changes as key drivers of biodiversity loss.
Bone marrow donors can now receive significantly reduced opioid medication during and after the donation procedure, resulting in a more comfortable experience. The new pain control method, using regional anesthesia, drastically decreased opioid usage from 84% to 23% among patients.
Researchers have developed a method to generate and control mid-infrared hyperbolic polariton vortices at the nanoscale, enabling new opportunities for super-resolution sensing, imaging, and communication systems. The study uses hexagonal boron nitride as a host material and achieves broad reconfigurability of topological charges.
A study suggests that an automated unemployment insurance policy could provide more clarity to workers during economic stress. The policy would not cost more or less than existing packages, but would resolve uncertainty and potentially prevent household financial crises.
Researchers at UNICAMP and USP discovered how SARS-CoV-2 recruits cells to replicate through interaction with PCNA, a protein involved in DNA repair. Inhibition of this interaction using a drug reduced viral replication by 15-20%.
A secondary analysis of the CARDIA Lung study found that a substantial proportion of middle-aged adults with normal spirometry findings had emphysema on CT scan. Race-specific interpretations of spirometry may underestimate respiratory symptom burden and risk for death in Black adults, perpetuating structural racial inequities.
Clown anemonefish control their growth to match larger anemones, growing faster than fish on smaller anemones. This mutualistic interaction allows for optimized reproductive value in their environment.