Researchers discovered 'replay' during slow-wave sleep in a person with tetraplegia, suggesting the brain practices newly learned information through neuronal firing. This finding may help guide the development of new therapies and tools for people with neurologic diseases and injuries.
A new study from the University of Missouri found that Himba pastoralists in Namibia are more likely to form long-lasting relationships with others who share similar desirable traits. This suggests that people's actual preferences may differ from their stated desires, and that similarity in desirability is key to successful relationships.
A team of researchers has identified a key player in the molecular pathogenesis of spinocerebellar ataxia type 17 (SCA17), a rare and devastating hereditary brain disease. The enzyme calpain is found to be overactive in cell and animal models of SCA17, leading to impaired protein function and accumulation of toxic protein fragments.
Researchers at MIT created insect-scale robots that can emit light during flight, allowing for precise motion tracking and potential communication between robots. The ability to emit light also enables the robots to call for help in search-and-rescue missions.
A study analyzing over 3 million EV-related Reddit posts reveals a wide spectrum of viewpoints on electric vehicles. The research found high similarities between political and fringe communities, indicating controversial opinions on environmental impacts.
A new optimization tool can quickly improve performance of various autonomous systems, including walking robots and self-driving vehicles. The tool uses automatic differentiation to identify tweaks that achieve desired outcomes, reducing trial-and-error simulations.
A study published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine suggests that clinician encouragement can empower patients and their families to engage in civic activities. By promoting voter engagement, healthcare providers can contribute to building an inclusive democracy and promoting health equity.
A new England-wide study found a strong association between intimate partner violence and self-harm and suicidality in both men and women, regardless of age. The study used data from over 7,000 adults in England and found that people who experienced IPV had higher rates of self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
An international team of researchers found that destructive quantum interference suppresses transition between superdeformed and spherical ground states in calcium-40 nuclei. This work may help explain nucleosynthesis processes and the remarkable stability of magic nuclei.
A study found that silver nanowire films with better plasticity exhibit stronger shear fracture resistance. Adding an ultra-thin metal buffer layer can improve the films' stability without affecting their optical properties.
A study found that over 60% of parents of children with kidney disease or hypertension are unsure or unwilling to vaccinate their child against COVID-19. Effective vaccines exist to protect children from COVID-19, and the findings highlight the need for clear communication to address parental concerns.
A new combination therapy using a plant virus and an antibody activates natural killer cells to target and destroy cancer cells. The therapy eliminates all tumors and prevents their recurrence, resulting in 100% survival in mouse models of colon cancer.
A study published in The Lancet Microbe reveals that typhoid-causing bacteria have developed resistance to critical antibiotics, spreading globally since 1990. This rise threatens the effectiveness of antibiotics for treating typhoid fever infections.
Researchers have derived governing equations that describe the macroscopic mechanical behavior of elastomers filled with liquid inclusions directly from their microscopic behavior. This work enables a wide range of novel materials with unique mechanical and physical properties.
Researchers fabricated a nano-ruler with high spatial resolution to explore the longitudinal plasmonic field in nanocavities. The study found an unexpectedly large intensity gradient, shedding new light on understanding of plasmonics and SERS technology.
Researchers reveal the likely composition of Charon's dynamic methane atmosphere and propose a possible source for its red polar zone. The team's novel experiments and atmospheric modeling suggest that ultraviolet light breaking down methane molecules is key to understanding the moon's unique albedo.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that robots loaded with widely-used AI models exhibit significant gender and racial biases. The AI models were trained on biased internet data, which led to the robot making assumptions about people's jobs based on their appearance.
A joint modelling initiative predicted US COVID-19 cases would rise in July 2021 and peak in September, with low-vaccination states bearing the brunt. States with high vaccination rates averted over 1.5 million cases and 21,000 deaths.
A new study from Oregon State University suggests that the gelatin in Pacific whiting skin has anti-aging properties, preventing wrinkles caused by ultraviolet radiation. The researchers found a positive response in a human cell model system, providing evidence for further research.
Researchers found that 27.8% of drugs with high abuse potential successfully completed development compared to 4.7% for low-abuse potential drugs. Funding is needed to improve understanding of pain mechanisms and develop non-addictive treatments.
A nationwide study by UTEP researchers found that public housing residents experience higher levels of fine particulate matter, disproportionately affecting Black, Hispanic, disabled, and low-income populations. The study highlights the need for environmental, public health, and housing policies to address air pollution disparities.
A study by Dr. Armineh Barkhordarian confirms a systematic warming pool in the Pacific caused by human activities, leading to increased frequency and intensity of local marine heatwaves. The region has experienced 31 marine heatwaves over the past 20 years, compared to just nine between 1982 and 1999.
A recent study by Universitat Pompeu Fabra researchers found that higher levels of mechanization in armed forces decrease the likelihood of coups d'état. However, this increased reliance on tanks and armored vehicles can also hinder coordination and increase execution costs, deterring potential conspirators.
Researchers have discovered a protein produced by soft-tissue sarcoma tumors that changes the biology of surrounding immune cells, promoting tumor growth. The study could lead to improved treatments for this rare and aggressive cancer type.
A 1,700-year-old genome study from Korea reveals greater genetic heterogeneity among ancient Gaya confederacy individuals compared to modern Koreans. The findings suggest that the Korean peninsula experienced more genetic diversity in the past, with ancient Koreans intermixing within the region.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that campus food pantries can positively affect students' physical health, mental health, and lead to improvements in sleep. Researchers surveyed 1,855 students at 10 University of California campuses before and after visiting a food pantry.
A comprehensive online survey of people with multiple sclerosis found that improving social integration and reducing social isolation can promote and maintain health and wellbeing. The study suggests that these social factors significantly predict health and wellbeing, even when accounting for demographic factors.
A new study reveals that inhaled fine particles can take a direct route from lungs to brain through blood circulation, potentially contributing to brain disorders. The particles were found to stay longer in the brain than in other organs, raising concerns about the long-term effects of air pollution on cognitive function.
Researchers have developed a new drug called OximUNO, which has shown to treat breast cancer in mice by targeting tumor-associated macrophages. The treatment reduces primary tumour lesions and lung metastasis, and prolongs the survival of mice with triple-negative breast cancer.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Cancer have identified a novel immune checkpoint pathway that could lead to better understanding and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The study suggests that blocking this pathway, combined with immunotherapy, may provide a new therapeutic strategy for liver cancer.
Researchers developed a fully automated technique to isolate rare circulating tumor cells from patient blood samples, revealing the diversity of cancer cells in the body. The method's accuracy was confirmed through DNA testing, allowing for personalized treatment strategies to be modified.
A study found that imidacloprid, a widely used pesticide in Brazil, is toxic to native bees and can cause alarming levels of poisoning. Researchers are calling for specific protocols and more effective regulation to protect these vital pollinators.
Scientists have successfully levitated objects using soundwaves in the presence of obstacles, paving the way for advancements in virtual reality and 3D printing. This breakthrough enables the creation of fully immersive real-world simulations and improved multi-material 3D printing capabilities.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong developed a simple exfoliation method to prepare ultrathin films of small intestine tissues, which exhibit piezoelectricity. The team's findings reveal the hierarchical structure of collagen fibers as the key to generating the piezoelectric effect.
IGFBP7 enhances mitochondrial function and promotes glycolysis in DPSCs, leading to decreased p21 expression. This finding provides a new therapeutic strategy for promoting tissue regeneration.
A recent study published in the Journal of Cardiac Surgery found that lung transplant recipients have a standardized mortality rate approximately five times higher than nonhospitalized adults. The main causes of death include rejection of the new organ, pneumonia, and infections.
Researchers at Aarhus University found a hierarchical relationship between motor function and coordination of the voice, hands, and feet. This hierarchy determines which rhythm and beat combinations are easy to perform, regardless of musical expertise.
Researchers have discovered a novel treatment approach for chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) by targeting ferroptosis, a form of programmed cell death. This strategy may provide an effective treatment option for patients with this rare and currently untreatable disease.
A Yale University team predicts fire risks can shift from low to catastrophic in a matter of hours, highlighting the need for more accurate models to understand global fire regimes. Climate change exacerbates conditions that fuel intense fires, making land management and prediction challenging.
Researchers developed a scalable process for a biodegradable coating that protects against pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms, transportation damage, and reduces weight loss in avocados by 50%. The coating can be rinsed off with water and degrades in soil within three days.
Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered the skin's natural protection from nighttime bacterial invasion in mice, which may provide a basis for developing a drug treatment. The team found that epidermal CXCL14 is produced in a circadian rhythm-dependent manner, providing antimicrobial function against Staphylococcus aureus.
Research by Oregon State University has explained the biosynthetic pathway underlying the production of acarbose, a type 2 diabetes drug. The findings could lead to improvements in industrial production through biotechnological approaches.
A significant number of children who do not meet the eligibility criteria for Free School Meals are experiencing hunger and anxiety. Researchers call for widening the criteria to include more children in need.
Researchers have developed a new hybrid machine learning approach that forecasts lake ecosystem responses to climate change with improved accuracy. The model, which uses data-driven methods and minimal assumptions, is able to capture the complex relationships between variables in ecosystems.
Researchers at University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M have developed an electronic tattoo that can deliver continuous blood pressure measurements with accuracy exceeding most available options. The device uses graphene bioimpedance analysis to take precise readings, promising a significant improvement in mobile health monitoring.
A new study reveals that IL18 signaling is essential for β-cell development and insulin secretion, using specific receptors on acinar and β cells. This finding may provide insights into the role of IL18 in regulating islet β cell proliferation and guide future efforts to expand β cells and increase islet mass in diabetes.
Archaeologists uncover layers of houses and various objects from the 10th to 13th centuries, including Hnefatafl pieces and glass. The most significant find is nine walrus ivory fragments that were later analyzed using DNA and isotopic analysis to determine their origin.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified a novel function for the TAO2 protein, which inhibits influenza virus replication. Down-regulating TAO2 levels prevents viral replication in cells without causing major toxic effects.
A 30-year study by INRAE and ONF identified 34 oak populations with good combinations of traits as seed sources for plantings in France. Seed sources from regions with a long tradition of forestry have the best ecological and silvicultural traits, enabling the species to adapt to climate change.
After the Permian mass extinction, life on land and in oceans experienced a 'Triassic revolution' with rapid adaptation and evolution of animals. Animals grew back faster and smarter, with predators becoming meaner and prey adapting new survival strategies.
A new method using the Vortex fluidic device can test hundreds of proteins in under 5 minutes, with data readable by a cell phone camera. This technology has the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment of diseases in remote areas, reducing mortality and morbidity.
Research on wild Assamese macaques reveals that their gut bacteria composition changes uniquely with age, despite similar lifestyles. This finding suggests that the process is part of natural aging and not due to lifestyle changes, with potential implications for developing personalized therapies against intestinal diseases.
The University of Minnesota is studying how various levels of discrimination affect mental, physical, and social health. The study aims to develop interventions that promote health equity by addressing individual, neighborhood, institutional, and societal/policy levels of structural racism.
Researchers found that COVID-19 policies significantly affected the mental health and well-being of people with disabilities. The study identified four groups: heavily impacted, resilient, adapted, and radically changed.
Researchers discovered that the TCF-1 protein enables plasticity in cells across neighborhoods during T cell development, weakening insulation and increasing interactions between adjacent neighborhoods. This finding sheds new light on immunotherapy approaches and could lead to more efficient cancer treatments.
Researchers have long struggled to create high-power green LEDs due to the 'efficiency droop' phenomenon. The University of Illinois team has now discovered a way to avoid this issue by using cubic-phase crystal structures, which halves efficiency droop in InGaAlN light-emitting diodes.
The invasion of plants onto land triggered a transformation of the hostile environment, accelerating atmospheric changes. This process laid the foundations for modern terrestrial flora, including flowering plants that comprise over 90% of all known species.
A new computer model has been developed to rapidly scan cancer genomes and identify harmful driver mutations that contribute to tumor growth. The model, trained on genomic data from various types of cancer, found additional mutations in 5-10% of patients that could help doctors identify more effective treatment options.
Scientists have made a pivotal new breakthrough in controlling light to evolve the next generation of quantum sensing and computing. The team has shown that controlling light can be achieved by inducing and measuring a nonlinear phase shift down to a single polariton level.
A new approach uses a single magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan to diagnose Alzheimer's disease with high accuracy, identifying changes in regions not previously associated with the condition. This method has the potential to revolutionize diagnosis and treatment, allowing for early intervention and improved patient outcomes.