Researchers elucidated the molecular mechanisms of acetylcholine in learning and memory, revealing a signaling cascade involving protein kinase C. The study opens doors to new therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease.
A Japanese research team investigated the psychological impact of remotely operating semi-autonomous robots on humans. They found that when a person controls only a part of the robot's body, their attitude aligns with that expressed by the semi-autonomous robot, influencing subsequent decisions.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet has identified a key mechanism behind treatment resistance in a deadly form of kidney cancer. By increasing mitochondrial content in cancer cells, researchers found that these cells became susceptible to the cancer drug sorafenib. This breakthrough offers hope for more targeted cancer treatments.
A new study found that pregnant people in the South and Midwest experienced higher risk of miscarriage in late August and early September, respectively. Researchers suggest exploring links between extreme heat and pregnancy loss, highlighting the need for further research to understand potential causes.
Fossils found in the 'Cradle of Humankind' in South Africa are estimated to be between 3.4 and 3.7 million years old, making them older than previously thought. This new age range places these fossils at the beginning of the Australopithecus era, challenging previous theories that they were near the end.
Researchers found multiple gene variants contributing to pediatric NAFLD risk and disease severity, including novel SNPs associated with liver fibrosis. These genetic associations may guide future therapeutics for pediatric NAFLD, a chronic childhood disease linked to increased cardiovascular risk and mortality.
Researchers found that people are less morally outraged when gender discrimination occurs due to an algorithm rather than direct human involvement. The study's findings have broader implications for efforts to combat discrimination and may affect how companies are held liable.
Researchers at the University of Washington discovered that African wild dogs, a highly endangered species, shifted their breeding dates later in response to changing temperatures, leading to reduced pup survival rates. The study highlights how large predators can be vulnerable to climate change and its impact on life history events.
Bacteria's extreme lifestyle change during UTI infection cycles may hold clues to combating antimicrobial resistance and damage. Researchers used advanced microscopy to study the reversal of filamentation, shedding light on a previously unknown mechanism.
Researchers at the Netherlands Cancer Institute discovered that prostate cancer cells hijack the circadian rhythm to become resistant to hormone therapy. The study found that proteins regulating the circadian clock play a crucial role in tumor cell survival, offering a potential target for new treatment strategies.
Three African vulture species have significantly larger home ranges than existing protected areas, increasing exposure to human-related food sources and environmental toxins. Conservation efforts require addressing challenges outside protected areas.
A newly expanded data set of brain scans from stroke patients called ATLAS now includes 1,271 MRI images with manually segmented lesions, facilitating large-scale stroke recovery research. Researchers hope to develop algorithms to automate lesion segmentation, enabling clinicians to predict patient responses to therapies.
A comparison analysis found that Canada handled the pandemic well by most measures, thanks to strict policies and high vaccination rates. The analysis showed that if US vaccination and death rates occurred in Canada, about 5.9 million fewer Canadians would have been vaccinated and 68,800 more would have died from COVID-19.
Fossils from Sterkfontein Caves in South Africa reveal nearly four million years of hominin evolution. The new ages of Australopithecus-bearing deposits place the South African hominins as contemporaries of other early species, like Australopithecus afarensis, in east Africa.
Researchers at the University of Manchester are developing AI-powered robots that can operate autonomously in hazardous environments. The 'hot-robotics' project aims to improve robot autonomy for tasks like decommissioning legacy power stations and inspecting nuclear reactors.
Scientists discover that SARS-CoV-2 creates cellular storehouses of fat to replicate and cause disease. Compounds cutting off fatty fuel stop the virus from replicating in lab tests.
A new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming a Mediterranean-style diet may prevent frailty in older adults. Higher intake of carotenoids was associated with reduced likelihood of frailty development.
A new study published in PNAS found that physicians prescribe less pain medication during night shifts than during the day. Researchers attribute this discrepancy to reduced empathy among doctors on night shifts. The study analyzed data from 13,482 discharge letters and found a significant bias towards prescribing fewer painkillers at ...
A team of scientists used high-pressure X-ray measurements to study the structure of SiO2 glass. They found bimodal features in the silicon's second shell, corresponding to a tetrahedral symmetry structure at low pressures and collapse at high pressures. This discovery sheds light on the nature of silicate magmas and materials science.
Researchers found that Black communities with high population densities and moderate levels of aggregate stress experience higher COVID-19 mortality rates. The study highlights the disproportionate burden on Black communities due to decades of institutional and societal bias, leading to increased risks of chronic illness and stroke.
A research team has developed supernumerary robotic arms that users can feel as part of their own body, expanding the possibilities for human augmentation. The study, published in Scientific Reports, shows that users can embody artificial objects and perceive them as extensions of their own body.
Researchers discovered new viruses infecting Asgard archaea, which may hold clues to the origin of complex life. The viruses share features with both prokaryotic and eukaryotic viruses, offering a new perspective on viral eukaryogenesis.
Male scorpionflies from two locations in Japan use varying mating tactics, with those from Okayama employing 'sneaking' to successfully mate. The study suggests that environmental factors and genetic components influence alternative mating habits.
Administering oxytocin to central social network members spreads cooperation via increased punishment of uncooperative behavior, Li et al. found in a new study published in JNeurosci. Cooperation can conflict with individual goals, but oxytocin may have evolved humans' need for group living.
Computer scientist Morgan Vigil-Hayes receives $561,599 grant to develop crowdsourced measurements of broadband coverage among rural and low-income populations. Her goal is to bridge the gap between accurate data and community needs.
Research reveals cancer cells use fat synthesis pathways that are sensitive to oxygen availability, leading to a crucial dependency on environmental fats. This vulnerability can be targeted by drugs, and altering diet composition may also influence cancer growth.
A joint team of scientists developed a terahertz spatial light modulator based on metasurface absorber and dual-frequency liquid crystal, enabling dual-color THz CS imaging. The auto-calibrated CS algorithm improves image fidelity, while frequency-switching enables Hadamard masks with negative element values.
Researchers have developed a new therapeutic agent from Brazilian lapacho tree bark that targets acute myeloid leukemia cells while minimizing toxic effects on healthy cells. The compound is attached to an antibody that binds specifically to cancer cells, delivering the drug directly to its target.
A new study reveals that the genetic variant APOE ε4 plays a major role in determining CTE severity, increasing the risk by 2.34 times. Researchers found that APOE ε4 carriers were more likely to develop severe CTE, particularly among older individuals with repetitive head impacts.
Researchers from ETH Zürich and Paul Scherrer Institute gained unprecedented insight into the complex mechanism of converting CO2 to carbon neutral fuels. Using sophisticated analytical techniques, they identified two distinct reaction pathways, one driven by methyl radicals and another by oxygenated species, which shed light on how me...
New research suggests that people who become wealthy from humble origins are less likely to support social welfare and have reduced sympathy for the poor compared to those who were born into wealth. The study of 736 participants found a positive view of upwardly mobile individuals, but also discovered that they perceived improving thei...
Researchers developed a method for detecting cancer miRNA patterns using DNA computing technology, enabling simple and early cancer diagnosis from liquid biopsies. The technology uses nanopore decoding to recognize cancer-specific expression patterns even at extremely low concentrations of miRNA.
A new UBC study finds that southern resident killer whales have been in an energy deficit for six of the last 40 years, with three recent years (2018-2020) being particularly dire. The researchers attribute this decline to lower Chinook salmon abundance and size, which are the primary food source for these whales.
Researchers found that two types of computer models, deep neural networks and the Basel Face Model, are surprisingly accurate at replicating human facial similarity judgments. These models were tested on a dataset of realistic computer-generated faces and ranked by students in terms of similarity.
A new study shows that community science activities can produce high-quality taxonomic data sets, empowering community scientists and supporting biodiversity discovery. Thousands of microscopic liverwort leaves were measured by community scientists over two years, with surprising accuracy.
A multidisciplinary approach reveals a continuum of locomotion dynamics in lizards, with short-limbed species exhibiting snakelike waves and long-bodied species bending like lizards. The findings deepen understanding of evolution's implications for locomotion and have applications for advanced robotics designs.
Researchers found that Mediterranean sea urchins can withstand unprecedentedly warm sea temperatures and acidic oceans, a concerning sign for coastal ecosystems. As the ocean warms, these urchins are likely to spread throughout the Mediterranean, ravaging kelp forests and causing the demise of other species.
Genomics offers vital support for reversing ecosystem decline by improving seed sourcing practices under climate change and screening for threatened species. The technology also enables the detection of invasive weeds and animals, as well as tracking of soil microbes that support life on earth.
Researchers at the University of Sussex collaborated with Olabisi Onabanjo University in Nigeria to produce over 400 pieces of PPE, including face masks and face shields, using open-source designs and 3D printing. This initiative helped address a global shortage during the pandemic, making essential equipment affordable.
A new study models potential impacts on global biodiversity if temperatures increase by more than 2°C and then decline again. Tropical regions are most affected, with over 90% of species pushed outside their thermal niches.
Researchers found that high BMI is a positive factor in eSports performance after prolonged playing time, contrary to the general expectation. Obesity has been linked to lower cognitive flexibility and decision-making abilities in adults, but the study suggests a potential counterexample in the eSports industry.
A long-term study has found a connection between abdominal aortic calcification and late-life dementia risk. Researchers discovered that women with medium to high levels of AAC were twice as likely to be hospitalized or die from late-life dementia.
The Tibetan Plateau, known as the Third Pole, is vulnerable to climate change with extensive glacier retreat. Researchers analyzed observational and modeling data to understand its role in Asia's climate and global climate.
Researchers found that 67.7% of stroke patients with previously undiagnosed major risk factors had one underlying condition, with dyslipidaemia being the most common detected vascular risk factor. The study suggests that identifying and treating these conditions can help prevent future strokes.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University uncover the rapid growth of ultra-thin nanowires or 'whiskers' in organic compounds by following gas bubbles. They find that adding impurities can suppress bubble formation, allowing for controlled whisker-free growth and uniform crystalline material.
A new study found that black carbon particles emitted by rockets are 500 times more efficient at holding heat in the atmosphere than other sources, threatening ozone layer depletion. Daily or weekly space tourism launches could double the climate effect.
A new study found that specific gene mutations, such as LRRK2 and PRKN, may prolong survival time in Parkinson's patients, while SNCA and GBA mutations may shorten it. This could lead to more personalized treatment plans for patients with these genetic variants.
A study by the INGENIO Institute finds that prolonged temperature and precipitation increases cause conflict beyond affected areas, affecting populations up to 550km radius. Climate change adaptation strategies must consider each territory's particularities to mitigate conflict risks.
A study by the University of South Florida found that nursing home chains can achieve improved financial performance by standardizing staff ratios while having a similar percentage of Medicaid patients among residents. Customizing services tailored to local demand and competition leads to increased resident welfare, but may compromise ...
A recent study has identified an important molecular analogy between the octopus brain and the human brain, specifically with LINE transposons active in both species. This discovery sheds light on the secret of the intelligence of these fascinating organisms, suggesting a convergent evolution of cognitive abilities.
Researchers combine power conversion and storage capacity into a single device, overcoming previous inefficiencies and costs. The new technology uses six types of photo-enhanced rechargeable metal batteries, offering efficient and scalable solutions for solar energy storage.
Researchers found that COVID-19 positive individuals had a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and ischaemic stroke compared to those who tested negative. The study also revealed increased risks for intracerebral haemorrhage and decreased frequencies for other neurodegenerative illnesses.
Researchers from Species360 and the University of Southern Denmark found that most turtle and tortoise species show extremely slow senescence, while 80% have slower senescence than modern humans. This challenges evolutionary theories of aging, suggesting these animals may reduce their rate of aging in response to improved conditions.
A new study found that exposure to air pollution and indoor burning without ventilation significantly increases the risk of heart disease mortality. Researchers created maps of eight environmental risk factors across Golestan Province, Iran, and identified associations between death and these factors, controlling for traditional risk f...
A team of researchers at Kyoto University found that social ties can have a bipolar effect on relationships, with positive interactions strengthened by negative ones. Cognitive flexibility may help mitigate the dark side of social ties, such as empathic distress and stigma-related anxiety.
Researchers found evidence of wild trees and plants growing near ancient Maya city Yaxnohcah, suggesting the civilization managed their environment prudently. The study suggests the ancient Maya cultivated pine trees for fuel, but also left much of the rainforest intact.
Researchers argue that people with dyslexia have specific strengths in exploring the unknown, which has contributed to their successful adaptation and survival as a species. This 'explorative bias' plays a crucial role in our ability to adapt to changing environments.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that up to 3 in 100 couples experience late postnatal depression, while approximately 2 in 100 couples experience antenatal and early postnatal depression. The study emphasizes the importance of considering both parents' mental health during the perinatal period.
Researchers at CNIO have identified a cryptic pocket in the RET oncogene that confers high specificity to second-generation inhibitors. This discovery could lead to the development of more effective treatments for RET-driven cancers.
A reference genome for the wild relative of cultivated tomatoes has been developed to improve crop yields and disease resistance. Researchers have also created online tools to facilitate gene discovery and analysis.