A study found that intact astrocyte networks are essential for neural homeostasis, synaptic plasticity, and spatial cognitive abilities in adult mice. Disrupting these networks impairs spatial learning and memory due to altered neuronal excitability and compromised synaptic transmission.
A study by the University of Otago found that 15-year-olds who had conversed with their mothers about everyday past events reported fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety. These adolescents also narrated difficult events from their lives with more insight.
Researchers in Brazil developed a computer program that locates swimming pools and rooftop water tanks in aerial photographs, using artificial intelligence to identify socio-economically deprived urban areas at risk for diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti. The innovation can be used as a public policy tool for dynamic socio-economic ...
A qualitative study explores healthcare experiences of transgender patients in Indiana and reveals three major barriers: finding an affirming provider, navigating wait times, and feeling comfortable in care settings. The research highlights the need for primary care providers knowledgeable about transgender health and safe spaces to ad...
A Penn State-led team of researchers developed a new delivery system that improves the efficiency and lifespan of CRISPR gene-editing tools after delivery into stem cells. The method uses an enzyme called PiggyBac, which enables permanent integration of the editing tools into the cell's genetic code, resulting in 99% of mutated cells b...
A study led by University of Illinois Chicago researchers found that structural racism can result in poorer leukemia outcomes for Black and Hispanic patients. Neighborhood disadvantage was a significant predictor of leukemia-specific death, accounting for nearly all the Black-white disparity in AML-related death.
A new study at Tel Aviv University reveals prehistoric humans collected and recycled old stone tools, mostly to preserve the memory of their ancestors. The researchers propose that they had an emotional urge to collect old human-made artefacts, as a means for maintaining connectedness with place and time.
A comprehensive analysis of brain cellular composition across amniotes shows that mammals and birds have dramatically increased neuron numbers in the telencephalon and cerebellum, associated with higher cognition. The study suggests that only a handful of unique evolutionary events augmented brain processing power in these groups.
Researchers found that common houseplants like Peace lily, Corn plant, and fern arum can remove nitrogen dioxide from the atmosphere, reducing pollution levels. In a poorly ventilated office, five plants could reduce NO2 levels by up to 20%.
Researchers discovered a micro-protein, Nrs1, that supports cell division and proliferation when nutrients are scarce in yeast cells. This finding sheds light on how evolution subtly reshapes genome plasticity to adapt to changing environments.
A new study predicts that El Niño events will increase in frequency by 2040, regardless of efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The researchers used state-of-the-art climate models to examine the potential impacts of different emissions scenarios on global weather fluctuations.
Research from the University of Georgia found that studying abroad positively impacts graduation rates within four and six years. Students who study abroad also earn slightly more credits while completing their degrees faster than peers who don't.
A newly discovered protein helps bacteria recognize stress hormones in the human body and direct their motion in the host. The discovery reveals that bacteria use catecholamines as signaling molecules to control their swimming behavior and navigate towards colonizing an organism.
A pioneering UK study has found that hearing loss and epilepsy are early features of Parkinson's disease, appearing up to ten and five years before diagnosis respectively. The research, conducted on a diverse population in East London, also uncovered novel risk factors for the condition.
The Planting Science program, a partnership between students, teachers, and scientists, improves high school students' science knowledge and attitude towards scientists. The study found that students who participated in the program scored 11 percentile points higher on assessments than those who did not.
A new study by Washington State University researchers has developed a camera-trapping method that accurately estimates the density of snowshoe hares and potentially other unmarked small mammals. The method, validated through a large-scale field test, shows promise as an inexpensive and non-invasive alternative to live-trapping.
The tool uses habitat modeling to identify areas with high hybridization risk between native bull trout and introduced brook trout. This allows natural resource managers to prioritize conservation efforts in specific regions.
Researchers found that GlyNAC supplementation can increase lifespan and improve multiple key age-associated defects in mice. The supplement corrected glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and other hallmarks of aging.
Researchers analyzed 48 years of data on wild baboons' family trees and mate choices to understand how they avoid inbreeding. The study found that baboons generally steer clear of mates that are half-siblings or closer, but show less discrimination with their father's side of the family.
A new MIT study found that lawyers' frequent use of long definitions in sentences makes legal texts difficult for non-lawyers to understand. Center-embedding, a common feature of legal writing, was the biggest contributor to comprehension difficulty. The researchers suggest reducing center-embedding and simplifying jargon to improve ac...
Researchers from Osaka University discovered that MondoA protein delays cellular senescence by activating autophagy, promoting longevity. Activation of MondoA also maintains mitochondrial stability, preventing senescence in tissues like the kidney.
MIT engineers mapped airplane contrails over the US in 2020 and found a 20% drop in coverage compared to prepandemic years. The team's computer-vision technique can help predict where contrails form, allowing airlines to reroute planes and reduce aviation's climate impact.
Research finds that global warming of 2°C will significantly increase temperature-related mortality rates in England and Wales by 42%, from around 117 deaths per day to 166. The risk further increases beyond 2.5°C, with a potential 75% increase in mortality risk at 3°C.
A new study at the University of Missouri found that positive teacher-student relationships lead to better teaching, as teachers who demonstrate 'soft' skills like kindness and compassion tend to use high-impact teaching practices. Students who feel cared for by their teacher are more motivated to learn and engaged in the classroom.
A new study developed an algorithm estimating a person's risk of developing prostate cancer based on age and two prostate cancer markers. The approach was found to reduce the number of false positives by three quarters compared to a standard PSA test while catching the same proportion of cancers, making screening safer and more accurate.
A review of almost 200 studies spanning 15 years reveals large gaps in understanding how to use social media for crisis communication efforts. The study highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to assess crisis communications on a global scale.
A mange outbreak in Argentina's San Guillermo National Park has caused a domino effect, impacting pumas, condors, and grasslands. Vicuña populations plummeted from 17 individuals per square kilometer to just 1 by 2020, while condors disappeared due to the loss of their primary food source.
A research team has devised a novel strategy to overcome chemotherapy resistance in cancer by boosting the pro-apoptotic BAX protein and targeting its inhibitor, BCL-XL. The two-drug combination achieved significant success against apoptosis-resistant human tumor cell lines and xenograft models, with minimal side effects.
A NIH-funded study identifies two types of brain cells involved in organizing discrete memories based on when they occurred. The study found that the creation of a new memory occurs when there is a peak in the activity of both boundary and event cells, following a hard boundary.
A large US study found that 92% of reported adverse events following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination were non-serious, with most side effects being mild and decreasing substantially after one day. The study also found that less than 1% of participants reported seeking medical care after vaccination.
A system developed by University of Houston pioneer Gino Lim extends small drone battery life to enable continuous live monitoring and border surveillance. The E-line battery charging system eliminates the need for battery charging stations, enhancing border security and reducing agent response time.
Researchers have found that altering carotenoid metabolism in tomato plants increases fruit yield by up to 77% and enhances nutritional content. The modified plants also show improved tolerance to abiotic stresses like drought and salinity.
Researchers have discovered a new treatment that blocks inflammation in pancreatic cancer, making it sensitive to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The therapy more than doubled survival rates in mice with pancreatic cancer, providing promising results for future human trials.
Researchers discovered that the levels of Piezo2 decrease with age and its removal from gut serotonin cells slows down gut motility in mice, causing constipation. This finding could be a contributing factor to age-related constipation and provide a path to treatment.
A novel diagnostic platform has been developed for rapid, low-cost and decentralized patient testing for infectious diseases like Zika. The platform achieved a diagnostic accuracy of 98.5% with 268 patient samples collected in Recife, Brazil.
The new device, Bio-FlatScope, uses a custom algorithm to reconstruct images of micron-scale targets like cells and blood vessels inside the body. The light captured by Bio-FlatScope can be refocused after the fact to reveal 3D details, making it potentially valuable for detecting cancer or sepsis.
A recent study published in Applied In Vitro Toxicology found that tobacco-free nicotine pouches exhibit reduced levels of toxicants and biological activity compared to combustible cigarette smoke. The products, manufactured by Imperial Brands, showed substantially reduced genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in three toxicological assays.
A new mathematical model developed by UCI researchers combines human and algorithmic predictions and confidence scores to improve AI accuracy. The hybrid model outperforms individual human or machine predictions, demonstrating the potential of human-AI collaboration in building smarter AI systems.
Solid-state batteries with little liquid electrolyte are safer than lithium-ion batteries in many cases. However, they also have limitations, such as slow lithium ion movement from the solid electrolyte to electrodes.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital successfully differentiated vascular smooth muscle cells into endothelial cells using a miRNA cassette. The induced endothelial cells restored blood flow more quickly than conventional ECs in a murine hindlimb ischemia model.
Researchers will study temporomandibular joint function and disorders, aiming to understand the stresses on the joint before degeneration and develop new treatments. The project is a collaboration between Clemson University, Medical University of South Carolina, and National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
Researchers have solved the structure of class II PI3Kα, a promising target for anticancer drugs, and discovered its activation mechanism. Inhibition of this enzyme could help patients with tumor growth and angiogenesis.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed tiny 'skyscrapers' for bacteria to thrive in, increasing energy extraction from sunlight by over an order of magnitude. This approach suggests that 'biohybrid' solar energy sources could be a key component in the zero-carbon energy mix.
The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) has published guidelines for analyzing safety and effectiveness of new therapies using observational data. The guidelines aim to increase trustworthiness of results gained from observational data.
Researchers developed Electric Truck Hydropower to harness the potential of steep mountain ranges, generating 1.2 PWh electricity per year, equivalent to 4% of global energy consumption. The technology uses existing road infrastructure and regenerative brakes to convert water into electricity.
A national research study led by UCF physicians found that using inhaled corticosteroids significantly reduced severe asthma symptoms among Black and Latinx patients. The new guidelines resulted in improved asthma control, better quality of life, and fewer hospitalizations.
Research from satellite data analysis suggests that three-quarters of the Amazon forest has lost its ability to recover from perturbations since the early 2000s. This loss of resilience increases the risk of dieback and contributes to global warming, highlighting the urgent need for limiting logging and greenhouse gas emissions.
New research found that Black Lives Matter protests led to a surge in online searches for anti-racist terms and topics, with spikes in searches continuing even after the initial protests. The study also showed that these increased search volumes were correlated with higher daily visits to Wikipedia pages on related topics.
The Amazon rainforest is losing resilience and approaching a critical transition, with more pronounced losses in drier areas near human land use. This could lead to an abrupt transition to a much drier habitat with profound implications for biodiversity and climate change.
Researchers found that pelicans primarily eat native fish species like Utah sucker and chub, with only a small percentage of cutthroat trout consumed. This discovery provides managers with more insight into the ecological dynamics of the reservoir, allowing them to focus on other factors impacting trout populations.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 9,100 cystic fibrosis patients found a positive association between higher body mass index and improved clinical outcomes. The study suggests that maintaining a healthy weight may be beneficial for these patients.
A team of international researchers has developed an algorithm to translate pig grunts into actual emotions, with 92% accuracy. The study provides insight into animal welfare and could lead to improved living conditions for livestock.
Researchers found that yellow-bellied marmot's biological aging stalls during hibernation, with epigenetic changes playing a key role. The study suggests that hibernation may be a natural way to slow aging and promote longevity in other mammals.
Kim and Ramos are exploring the impact of a technology-mediated transmodalising pedagogy on upper elementary science classrooms with EBLs. The project aims to create a guiding framework for content-language-technology integrated instruction for science and ESOL teachers.
The Amazon rainforest is experiencing a decline in resilience, which could trigger dieback and have severe consequences for the environment. The study found that resilience has dropped consistently since the early 2000s, with parts of the forest losing resilience faster due to deforestation and climate change.
Researchers discovered that tadpoles raised without helpful microbes can't stand the heat, and are five times more likely to die in high temperatures. The team also found that microbes help tadpoles deal with heat by regulating their metabolisms and energy production.
Researchers developed smart contact lenses that emit far-red light to treat diabetic retinopathy. The study showed the lenses prevented retinopathy in diabetic animal models, demonstrating their safety and effectiveness.
A new study calculates that more than 170 million Americans lost an average of nearly three IQ points due to childhood lead exposure from car exhaust between the 1940s and 1996. This translates to a potential shift of millions from below-average cognitive ability to intellectual disability.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a way to produce the long-sought effect of vacuum scattering into rainbows using novel materials and controlled magnetic fields. This breakthrough enables the study of fundamental quantum phenomena that were previously only observable in extreme environments, such as neutron stars.
Researchers have developed a new imaging technique using X-ray lasers to capture high-resolution images of complex single molecules. The technique, known as Coulomb explosion imaging, uses ultra-bright X-ray flashes to explode the molecule and reconstruct its image.