Regular cannabis use is associated with a decreased likelihood of having sinonasal symptoms such as congestion, runny nose and changes in smell in adults. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying this association.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a new framework for studying the organization of the human brain by combining data simulation and experimental observation. The study reveals that a small number of spatiotemporal patterns can unify various observations, providing a description of global functional brain organization.
An archaeological study has confirmed that cowrie-shell artifacts found in the Mariana Islands were used as lures for hunting octopuses. The devices date back to approximately 1500 B.C., making them the oldest known artifacts of their kind in the world.
A new study found that coral spawning events at deeper depths occur at lower intensities than those in shallow waters. The researchers suggest that deep reefs may more often rely on shallow-reef corals to survive.
A University of Washington team created a new tool that can design a 3D-printable passive gripper and calculate the best path to pick up an object. The designed grippers and paths were successful for 20 out of 22 objects tested, with two challenging shapes being the wedge and pyramid shape.
Osaka University researchers identified medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) expressing neuromuscular molecules in myasthenia gravis-thymoma samples. These findings suggest a new connection between the two diseases and may lead to novel therapeutic methods.
Researchers found that cloudier waters caused by climate change hinder seabirds' ability to catch fish. The study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, used tiny trackers to track Manx shearwaters on Little Saltee Island.
The new phage T4-COVID-19 vaccine elicits superior mucosal immunity in mice, inducing robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. The vaccine provides complete protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants with minimal lung lesions and no impact on gut microbiota.
Researchers found that COVID-19 patients produce fewer ketone bodies than influenza patients, leading to reduced immune function. A ketogenic diet or administering ketone bodies revived immune cells in diseased mice, improving virus elimination and lung damage.
MIT researchers have developed a new type of programmable resistor that enables analog deep learning, which promises faster computation with reduced energy usage. The device can process complex AI tasks like image recognition and natural language processing, paving the way for integration into commercial computing hardware.
Researchers have found a way to precisely control qubits without previous limitations, enabling large-scale quantum processors and quantum memories. The new method combines optical methods with microwaves to overcome wiring issues, paving the way for quantum computing advancement.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that amphibian and reptile invasions cost the global economy at least $17.0 billion between 1986 and 2020. The majority of costs were attributed to American bullfrog and brown tree snake invasions, highlighting the need for effective policies to limit future invasions.
A research team led by Dr Chen Ting-Hsuan developed a new rapid antibody test that shows the level of antibodies readable by the naked eye, displaying results as a length of a visual bar like a mercury thermometer.
A study by Texas A&M AgriLife Research found no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from flies and roaches to humans in households with confirmed COVID-19 cases. The researchers sampled over 1,300 insects from 40 homes with at least one human COVID-19 case, but none tested positive for the virus.
The white egret orchid's unique petal shape supports the hawkmoth pollinator, leading to higher healthy seed production. The research found that intact plants produced more seeds than those with the fringed petal removed.
A research team at Peking University developed SMOOTH-seq technology for sequencing single-cell genomes on third-generation sequencing platforms. They successfully assembled human genomes from just several individual cells, achieving megabase level contig N50 contigs.
A new AI-based dynamic brain imaging technology has been introduced by Carnegie Mellon University, which can map out rapidly changing electrical activity in the brain with high precision and speed. The technology uses deep learning approaches to translate scalp EEG signals back to neural circuit activity without human intervention.
A new study successfully introduces healthy photoreceptor cells derived from stem cells into the retinas of dogs, marking significant progress toward a cell-based therapy for blindness. The treatment enables cells to survive and form connections with existing retinal cells, paving the way for a regenerative medicine approach.
Researchers developed a machine learning method to predict material structure, overcoming a key bottleneck in materials science. The approach accurately predicts the structure of materials with five times the efficiency of current methods, paving the way for advances in battery technology and photovoltaics.
Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus have shown a direct connection between vagus nerve stimulation and learning centers in the brain. This discovery may lead to new treatments that can improve cognitive retention in both healthy and injured nervous systems.
A new study published in PLOS Biology reveals the significance of kinesins in basic cellular processes needed for malaria parasite development, multiplication and invasion. Researchers found that eight out of nine kinesins present in the parasite genome are required for cell proliferation to cell movement in mosquito hosts.
Research found significant geographic disparities in opioid overdose death rates between US counties, with rural areas experiencing much higher rates. Between 1999 and 2020, rural overdose deaths increased by 4.5-fold, while urban rates rose by only 2.3 times.
A team led by Professor Song Min Kim developed a system that can support concurrent communications for tens of millions of IoT devices using backscattering millimeter-level waves. The system offers internet connectivity on a mass scale to IoT devices at a low installation cost.
A recent study by the University of Texas at Austin found that C-level executives who regularly promote their knowledge and expertise on Twitter are 32% more likely to land high-paying job offers. This type of personal branding has tangible effects in the form of better job opportunities and higher overall earnings.
Researchers have developed a genetically encoded fluorescent nanothermometer that measures temperature gradients within human cells at unprecedented precision. This technology has the potential to test long-contentious medical hypotheses and inspire drug development.
A study by Portland State University researchers found that 2,303 transit riders lack access to smartphones or bank accounts, raising concerns about exclusion from new fare payment systems. The authors identify potential solutions to mitigate these issues and discuss implications for policy and planning.
The new ultrasound sticker uses a stretchy adhesive layer and rigid array of transducers to produce higher resolution images over a longer duration. It has potential applications in clinical diagnosis and could be made into wearable imaging products that patients can take home or buy at a pharmacy.
KAUST researchers have developed a new method to simulate viscous liquids up to 15 times faster than the current state of the art. This breakthrough enables faster simulations for industrial processes, medical devices, computer graphics, and visual simulations.
A study of 3,028 patients with COVID-19 reveals that race, ethnicity, and severity of infection are key factors contributing to delayed cancer treatment. Researchers found that these patient demographic factors are strongly associated with delays in receiving timely medical care.
A recent study published in Nutrients suggests that regular quinoa consumption can help prevent type 2 diabetes. Researchers replaced carbohydrate-rich foods with quinoa and found a significant reduction in post-meal blood sugar spikes. By mitigating this spike, quinoa may play a crucial role in preventing the progression of type 2 dia...
A study of 197 confirmed monkeypox cases in London found differences in symptoms between the current outbreak and previous ones. Key findings include rectal pain, penile swelling, and solitary lesions not previously known to be typical features of monkeypox infection.
Scientists at Cincinnati Children's develop a 'plug-and-play' method to consistently produce large numbers of lab-grown small intestines, colons, and stomachs. The new process overcomes the bottleneck of inconsistent organoid production, enabling faster and more accessible research.
Researchers have developed a new technology named SPIM-WGs, which efficiently fabricates optical waveguides with continuously variable 3D cross-sections. This allows for superior performance and new features, paving the way for future photonic and quantum chips.
Research found key components of the fellowship program, including flexible curricular structure and long-term health advocacy engagement, are associated with student growth. Community-centered models offer a compelling way to enable physician advocacy to center on community needs and foster innovative system change.
New research from the University of Bath shows that aggressive interest rate hikes by global central banks may lead to a liquidity crisis, high market volatility, and decreased asset prices. The study highlights the importance of finding a balance between addressing inflation and triggering a liquidity crisis.
Low to moderate stress levels may enhance cognitive functioning and reduce the risk of developing mental health disorders. Participants who experienced low to moderate stress demonstrated better coping mechanisms and improved neurocognitive abilities.
The BAUS patch provides over 48 hours of robust adhesion and enables continuous imaging of internal organs and tissues. This breakthrough device overcomes challenges faced by existing stretchable ultrasound imaging devices.
New study reveals that tidal marshes' elevation gain due to sediment accumulation is not enough to counteract accelerated sea level rise. The researchers found that at high rates of SLR, marshes subside instead of gaining elevation, threatening the world's most vulnerable ecosystems.
A study from the University of Warwick found that 69.3% of OHCA's in the West Midlands occurred within 500 meters of a school, equivalent to a five-minute walk. The research suggests that increasing accessibility and availability of defibrillators could lead to improved survival rates.
This study found that ginsenoside Rb1 reduces oxidative stress-induced injury in ovarian granulosa cells by activating the Akt/FoxO1 pathway. The compound preserved mitochondrial membrane potential and reversed ROS overaccumulation, promoting cell survival.
Researchers evaluated the real-time performance of an AI model to detect COVID-19 from chest X-rays and found that it did not outperform radiologist predictions. The study highlights the limitations of AI in diagnostic accuracy, particularly for certain groups such as women and minority populations.
Scientists have identified two areas of the auditory cortex specialized to recognize human voice sounds without linguistic meaning. These regions help react to sound cues allowing people to identify characteristics of the person speaking, such as gender, age, and height. This discovery sheds light on neurological disorders affecting vo...
Researchers have designed a nano-copper coating with zinc that kills bacteria by rupturing their cell wall, reducing the incidence of bacterial infections on high-touch surfaces.
A new study by Northwestern University predicts a worsening wave of opioid overdoses globally, with no geographic distinction between rural and urban areas. The lethal combination of synthetic opioids and stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamines will be particularly deadly.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism that some bacteria use to evade rifamycin antibiotics, showing antimicrobial resistance is more complex and evolved than previously recognized. The discovery has implications for finding new antibiotics and combating the growing global health threat of antimicrobial resistance.
High stresses persist in the Dachuan-Shuangshi Fault Zone, indicating a moderate risk of strong earthquakes in the Dayi seismic gap. The study suggests that the area is still capable of producing moderately strong earthquakes due to its brittle crustal structure and high stress conditions.
A new study shows that telehealth, particularly audio-only visits, helped keep VA patients on medication for opioid use disorder during the pandemic. Phone visits also played a key role in reducing dropouts from care.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons suggests that liver transplantation is a viable option for older patients with liver cancer, offering a significant survival benefit. The research compares outcomes between patients over 70 who received liver transplants and those who underwent ablative treatments...
A team led by Dr SeyedAbdolreza Sadjadi and Professor Quentin Parker from HKU's Laboratory for Space Research identified highly ionised species of C60 fullerene as plausible carriers of some prominent UIE bands. Theoretical mid-infrared signatures of these ionised forms match well with astronomical UIE features, providing a promising d...
Researchers discovered that rapid seafloor warming can overwhelm the natural microbial filter, allowing methane from methane hydrates to reach the ocean water. This 'window of opportunity' is crucial for understanding climate change impacts.
The team is creating a virtual gut system to test chemical reactions and networks, which will help identify the best treatments for obesity. The MATOMIC project aims to develop mathematical models that can simulate the intestinal microbiome at an atomic level.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that decarbonization pathways need to incorporate more efficient electric heating technologies and renewable energy sources to minimize strain on the US electric grid. The researchers analyzed building energy data from March 2010 to February 2020 and found that winter heati...
In India, two out of five eligible children are missing out on preventive vitamin A supplementation, with wide variations in coverage among and within states. The analysis found large 'cold spots' in provision across the country, ranging from just under 13% to 94.5%, and distinct geographical hotspots and coldspots.
Researchers used multimodal adaptive optics imaging to study photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium relationships in eyes with vitelliform macular dystrophy. The study provides valuable insights for developing new therapies to treat this rare eye disorder.
A new study published in Mucosal Immunology demonstrates that early exposure to antibiotics can cause asthma and allergies in children. Researchers found that antibiotics alter the gut microbiome, leading to unwanted immune responses and increased allergy risk in later life.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science found that short PPG signals can be used to estimate dynamical properties like determinism, predictability, and complexity with good accuracy. However, shorter signals may not be sufficient for estimating divergence.
A recent Oregon State University study found that people living in socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods are 20% less likely to conceive compared to those in more resourceful areas. The study analyzed data from over 6,300 individuals and found a significant association between neighborhood disadvantage and lower fertility rates.
A new class of glioma drugs exploits tumors lacking the DNA repair enzyme MGMT, generating cytotoxic DNA and selectively killing tumor cells without resistance. The approach may lead to new glioma treatments for highly aggressive brain tumors like glioblastoma.
Researchers at MIT estimate the probability of getting Covid-19 on a plane flight was about 1 in 2,000 from June 2020 to February 2021. The study provides a general estimate of air travel safety with regard to Covid-19 transmission and a methodology that can be applied to future studies.
Researchers monitored elephant movements through wildlife corridors in urban and farm landscapes, finding that elephants use corridors predominantly at night in agricultural areas, but overlap with humans during the day in cities. The study highlights the need for considering daily activity patterns in conservation planning.