A study by University of Warwick found that worsened financial situation and sleep difficulties are key indicators of individuals at higher risk of developing mental health issues. The research, based on a survey of 895 university students, revealed a reduction in mental health symptoms over time as financial difficulties and sleep irr...
Researchers propose a novel paradigm using nanoscale nonlinear fluid dynamics to support recurrent neural networks in neuromorphic computing. The liquid film functions as an optical memory, enabling 'reservoir computing' capable of performing digital and analog tasks.
A 20-year study found that Black adolescents living in poverty showed accelerated immune cell aging and higher insulin resistance at ages 25-29. The researchers also found associations between childhood poverty, perceived life chances, and premature immune cell aging.
Researchers at Radboud University found that larger fish and those with large cells are more sensitive to oxygen stress in warm water. Freshwater fish appear to be more tolerant of oxygen-depleted water than marine fish, likely due to different selection pressures during their evolutionary history.
A study reveals urban waters exhibit distinct microbial signatures compared to rural lakes, indicating humanization and eutrophication's effects on ecosystems. This shift may increase the risk of pathogens and contamination in urban areas.
New research from Thomas Jefferson University shows that early childhood enrichment can reverse the effects of lead poisoning on brain development. Over 3,500 genes in the hippocampus are affected by lead exposure, but approximately 80% of gene expression changes are reversed in animals living in stimulating environments.
Research suggests that climate change is causing dryland mechanisms to affect temperate regions, leading to changes in vegetation distribution and ecosystem processes. The study predicts that by the end of the century, an estimated 17 million km2 of non-dryland areas will experience average topsoil temperatures above 40°C.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a novel synthesis procedure to produce high-quality manganese oxide nanoparticles with large surface areas. The new approach enables the creation of ultra-small nanoparticles with excellent catalytic performance, outperforming previously reported methods.
SARS-CoV-2 uses nanotubes to infect neurons, bypassing the usual ACE2 receptor. The virus can spread rapidly through these nanotubes, contributing to its infectious capacity and neurological symptoms.
Researchers found that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein activates a natural immune response in heart muscle cells, leading to damage. This unique interaction with Toll-Like Receptor 4 is specific to COVID-19 and explains its high virulence levels compared to other coronaviruses.
A new study has developed cut-off points to measure handgrip strength in the general population, considering gender, body height, and aging. Low handgrip strength is linked to increased mortality risk and may indicate underlying health conditions such as heart and lung problems.
Groups of healthcare workers, including nurses and physicians, use Twitter to share accurate health information and combat misinformation about COVID-19. They have faced public harassment but continue to amplify accurate information, creating infographics in multiple languages to reach diverse audiences.
A multidisciplinary team at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and industry partners have discovered a first-in-class treatment for a rare genetic liver disease, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The RNA interference drug fazirsiran effectively reverses liver fibrosis with minimal side effects.
The prevalence of obesity among US children and teens rose from 17.7% in 2011-12 to 21.5% in 2017-20, according to a study published in JAMA Pediatrics. This increase reflects growing health concerns for the nation's youth.
Researchers propose quantum attack scheme for symmetric cryptography, reducing computational complexity from 2^n to 2^(n/2) and threatening AES security. This finding has significant implications for future information security.
The study analyzes the structure and composition of Ca2(Mn,Ti)O4 using XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and DFT to understand how Ti impurities enhance its near-infrared reflectivity. The findings provide a general recipe for understanding the properties of complex perovskite ceramics.
Researchers found that greenhouse gases are the primary reason for increased temperatures and will likely continue to be the main cause of hotter temperatures in the future. The study suggests that extreme heatwave events will increase by more than 30 percentage points in coming years, with almost two-thirds caused by greenhouse gases.
Researchers at Columbia University and Rover Diagnostics have developed a low-cost, portable platform that provides RT-PCR results in 23 minutes, matching laboratory-based tests. The system uses plasmonic nanoparticles to achieve real-time and multiplexed RT-qPCR on clinical specimens.
Researchers found that nirmatrelvir–ritonavir and molnupiravir likely reduced the risk of hospital admission by 46.2 and 16.3 admissions per 1000, respectively. The findings have implications for health care systems and clinical guidelines.
A new study by Prof. Gurit Birnbaum reveals that online interactions, such as flirting, can be destructive to a relationship. The research found that participants who engaged in flirty chats perceived their current partner in a more negative light, both consciously and unconsciously.
Researchers found that photochemical aging of soot on particles can increase their hydrophilicity, making them better cloud condensation nuclei. This transformation affects the fate and effects of soot aerosols in the atmosphere, influencing wet deposition processes.
The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein activates the natural immune response in heart muscle cells, causing damage and inflammation. The study found that the spike protein also caused hypertrophic remodeling and cardiac dysfunction in lab mice, highlighting a novel, ACE2-independent pathological role of the virus.
The 13th Annual Meeting on Skin Challenges 2022 will highlight the roles of extracellular vesicles in skin ageing and age-related diseases. Therapeutic strategies and anti-ageing potential of these vesicles from various sources, including stem cells and commensal bacteria, will be addressed.
A new electrode design enables the rechargeability of alkaline zinc batteries, reducing waste and promoting sustainability. The nanoporous zinc metal electrode stabilizes the electrochemical transition between zinc and zinc oxide, allowing for over 80 hours of stable charging.
Researchers created a profile of electric vehicle buyers and drivers, highlighting the importance of environmental communities and concern for air quality. The study also emphasizes the need for further research to analyze the association between purchasing an electric car and caring for the environment.
A new study published in Diabetologia finds that limiting food intake to a 10-hour window during the day improves metabolic health in adults with type 2 diabetes. The research, conducted by Prof Patrick Schrauwen and colleagues, shows a decrease in 24-hour glucose levels and an increase in time spent with normal blood glucose levels.
A survey of UK doctors found that the pandemic has led to an increase in willingness to forgo life-saving treatments for very sick patients, while views on euthanasia and assisted dying have remained unchanged. The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed end-of-life care, prompting a reevaluation of clinicians' decision-making processes.
Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus investigated SARS-CoV-2 variant interactions with diverse interferons, finding the virus has adapted to evade this key front-line defense. The study suggests COVID-19 clinical trials on interferons may need to be reinterpreted based on circulating variants.
A study found that incarcerated people with serious mental illness experience frequent and lengthy periods of solitary confinement, spending an average of three times longer than those without mental health problems. The study highlights the importance of correcting officers' discretion and policy change to reduce disparities.
A study led by ICM-CSIC finds that mass mortality events caused by marine heatwaves affected all Mediterranean regions between 2015 and 2019, resulting in recurrent mass mortalities throughout the period. The research highlights the significant positive relationship between the duration of heat waves and the incidence of mortality events.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh unveiled the first visualization of friction at the atomic level, showing that it occurs regardless of surface smoothness. This discovery could lead to better lubricants and materials to minimize friction and wear in machinery.
Researchers are investigating new methods to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from cement manufacturing, aiming to create a carbon-negative replacement for portland cement. A sustainable way to produce calcium hydroxide is also being developed, which could significantly lower the carbon footprint of the existing cement industry.
A new study published in the American Heart Association's Circulation Journal found that adults who perform two to four times the currently recommended amount of moderate or vigorous physical activity per week have a significantly reduced risk of mortality. The analysis found that this range of activity resulted in a 21-23% reduction f...
Researchers at IISc used widely-used computational techniques to predict and verify migration barrier values in lithium-ion batteries. They propose robust guidelines to choose accurate frameworks for testing materials. The study found SCAN functional had better accuracy overall, while GGA was faster but less accurate.
Researchers identified three categories of distinct symptoms: respiratory, mental health and cognitive problems, and broader range of symptoms. Key demographic groups at increased risk include females, younger people, and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
A new methodology predicts soil recovery after wildfires by analyzing the impact of microbes and nutrients on soil regeneration. The study found that including uncommon soil microbiota was critical to predicting water quality and terrestrial ecosystem recovery.
Research suggests that individuals with PTSD exhibit decreased activity in the hippocampus, leading to impaired threat reactivity and memory formation. This study reveals a significant interaction between hippocampal activity and physiological arousal in predicting PTSD symptoms.
Researchers analyzed data from Ka-band radar and satellite observations to study the effects of cloud seeding on mixed convective-stratiform clouds. The study found that the convective region responds with larger precipitation particles, while the stratiform region experiences icing seeding tracks due to faster ice crystal formation.
Human cells move faster through thick mucus due to fin-like ruffles on their membranes, which sense viscosity and adapt to fluid thickness. This discovery could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases, including asthma and mucinous cancer.
A team of researchers from UMass Amherst and UMass Chan Medical School has developed a technique to increase the secretion of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) in muscle cells by about 50 percent. This breakthrough will help improve gene therapies for diseases caused by dysfunctional protein production.
A new study suggests that reducing sugar consumption through sugar taxation policies can have significant environmental, social, and economic benefits. Redirecting existing sugar cropland to alternative uses like biofuel production could lead to emissions reductions of up to 54.3 MtCO2e per year.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a novel flash memory technology that increases data storage capacity and reliability through artificial defect generation. The new platform can distinguish eight data levels, making it suitable for neuromorphic computing and improving inference accuracy.
Researchers at KIST have developed a core technology for commercializing aqueous zinc batteries, which use water as the electrolyte and can prevent battery ignition. The new manufacturing process creates high-density zinc metal anodes with improved energy density and lifespan, making them competitive with lithium-ion batteries.
Researchers at PPPL developed smaller, stronger high-temperature superconducting magnets for spherical tokamaks, enabling more efficient fusion power plants. The new magnets reduce construction costs and increase performance by shrinking the size of tokamaks.
The study applies VCD to investigate intermolecular interactions in sodium montmorillonite's interlayer spaces. The results show the utility of VCD in revealing subtle changes in vibrational properties, with promise for applications in heterogeneous asymmetric reactions.
Researchers from the University of Nottingham discovered a key gene controlling root growth angle, enabling crops to grow steeper roots and capture more nutrients and carbon. This finding has potential applications for developing new crop varieties with improved resilience to drought stress.
A team at Kyoto University has developed a formula to express the marginal cost of public funds, measuring the impact of taxation on social welfare. The framework focuses on imperfect competition and provides insights into the behavioral constraints imposed by taxation on producers and consumers.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a transportable optical clock system that addresses key barriers to deploying quantum clocks in real-world settings. The new design can capture nearly 160,000 ultra-cold atoms within an ultra-high vacuum chamber and survive long-distance transportation, paving the way for wides...
University of Arizona researchers Erin Ratcliff and Roger Angel are working on scaling paper-thin solar technology using perovskites. They aim to develop a low-cost quality control method to detect defects during manufacturing, enabling the production of robust and high-quality perovskite-based photovoltaics.
Researchers studied 28 individuals who sought to discontinue or reverse gender-affirming medical interventions, finding they faced significant physical and emotional challenges. The study highlights the importance of providing comprehensive support for patients navigating these complex decisions.
International researchers, led by UMass Amherst, discovered a mechanism that allows certain fungi to destroy grapevines using small compounds that reduce iron and produce hydrogen peroxide. Antioxidants and chelators can potentially interrupt this process and prevent grapevine damage.
A new study published in Paleobiology suggests that trilobites' growth rates were similar to those of modern marine crustaceans. Researchers analyzed length-frequency data from exceptionally-preserved trilobite fossils and compared them with published data on the growth of extant crustaceans, finding a well-matched growth curve.
The study of flying spider-monkey tree fern genome provides insights into fern evolution and arborescence. Ferns developed vascular tissues, including xylem and phloem, to transport water, nutrients, and food, which is a key innovation in land plant evolution.
A new study found that Black patients are six times more likely to have advanced vision loss after a glaucoma diagnosis, highlighting the need for early eye screening in this population. The research analyzed nearly 210,000 participants and used artificial intelligence to identify visual field loss patterns.
A new AI algorithm, IcePic, has been developed to predict ice crystal formation with high accuracy. It outperformed human scientists in an online quiz, identifying areas where humans were wrong and providing valuable insights for atmospheric science research.
A new study by Linda Tropp found that teachers' implicit racial biases and concerns about being perceived as racist independently contribute to their lower intentions to discuss race with students. Recent teacher training programs have focused on addressing implicit biases, but not conscious concerns about being seen as racist.
A new study published in Evolutionary Biology refutes a claim that Tyrannosaurus rex should be reclassified into three separate species based on variations in leg bones and teeth. The researchers found that the earlier proposal lacked sufficient evidence and was based on limited comparative samples, non-comparable measurements, and imp...
A new study led by Tokyo University of Science researchers identifies altered gene expression and cell function changes that drive DNA damage and neoplasia in cholangiocytes exposed to 1,2-dichloropropane. The findings highlight the importance of macrophage involvement in carcinogenesis.
A study published in Nature Physics reveals that specialized cell movement may explain the progression of cancer and cystic fibrosis. Cells with ruffled edges sense viscosity and adapt to increase their speed, moving faster through mucus than blood. This discovery sheds light on disease mechanisms and potential treatments.
Researchers have created composite 2D materials that are resistant to breaking and extremely stretchable, using biomimetic proteins patterned on squid ring teeth. The materials can be fine-tuned for unique thermal conduction regimes and strength properties.