A new class of antibiotics has been discovered that is highly effective against drug-resistant tuberculosis, with low toxicity and a high level of safety. The new drugs, called PPs, are targeted at the PE_PGRS57 gene and show promise as an alternative to current treatments.
A survey study found that Americans are more willing to have surgery during a pandemic if they and hospital staff are vaccinated. Urgent or lifesaving surgeries were viewed as essential, while outpatient surgeries carried less risk of COVID-19 transmission.
A new study found that microgravity analog culture profoundly affects the microbial infection process in 3-D human tissue models. This is critical for ensuring astronaut health on extended space missions and sheds light on mysterious processes of infection on Earth.
Researchers have developed a new method to include cloud physics in global climate models, which could lead to more accurate predictions. The approach involves breaking down the modeling problem into smaller, independent simulations that can capture finer-scale turbulent eddies and realistic shallow cloud formation.
Wind-dominant electric grids face challenges in recovering from blackouts. Researchers at Iowa State University have developed grid-forming controllers and stall-prevention systems to enable certain wind turbines to blackstart a power grid. This critical step enhances the resilience of wind farms to blackouts.
A new study from Michigan Medicine reveals that dementia diagnoses are often accompanied by significant increases in healthcare costs. The research found that the average Medicare spending jumped by 150% after a formal diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have made a breakthrough in understanding how the RNAi process keeps cells healthy. They discovered that the workhorse protein Argonaute (Ago) uses phosphorylation to break its grip on mRNA targets, allowing it to repress other proteins.
A new large-scale study led by the American Cancer Society shows a decline in suicide risk among cancer patients in the US over the past two decades. However, this risk remains significantly higher than in the general population, with certain factors such as age, race, and socioeconomic status contributing to the increased risk.
A SUTD study has uncovered the reservoir filling strategies and operating rules of China's big hydropower dams on the Lancang-Mekong river. The data shows that dam operations remained steady during a severe drought, indicating no need for emergency releases to mitigate its impact.
Researchers used zinc isotopes to investigate megalodon's diet and find that great white sharks likely competed with it for prey. The study provides a unique window into the past, allowing scientists to analyze extinct animals' diets over millions of years.
Leading ethicists argue that mandatory flu vaccination for healthcare staff is ethically justified due to the risks of nosocomial infections and staff shortages. In contrast, a COVID-19 vaccine mandate is considered unethical due to the low risk of serious illness among younger staff and concerns over coercion.
Kessler Foundation researchers use signal detection theory to characterize cognitive fatigue in multiple sclerosis. The study reveals an association between subjective 'state' fatigue, response bias, and brain activation patterns in both MS and control groups. This finding supports the use of signal detection metrics as an objective me...
Researchers in China and the US developed a computer simulation model addressing solar power's intermittency by adding biomass to advance a reliable, affordable heating solution. The proposed solar-biomass hybrid system provides cleaner energy than fossil fuel for single-family homes.
A survey of 18,500 medical students revealed a strong association between reported mistreatment and discrimination in the first two years of medical school and subsequent medical school attrition. The study highlights the need for increased support and protection for students facing mistreatment and discrimination in medical education.
Researchers found that 80% of infections at superspreading events came from just 4% of infected individuals, known as index cases, who carried high viral loads. The study also identified the occupancy and ventilation in social contact settings as key factors driving variability in superspreader events.
Researchers administered epidural electrical stimulation (EES) to patients with degenerative spine diseases undergoing surgery, improving respiratory control and depth of breathing. The study provides proof of principle for using EES as an alternative treatment to combat opioid-induced respiratory depression.
Researchers studied fossil plants to understand life on earth in a warmer, wetter climate. They found that the Eocene epoch required a steady supply of precipitation and high CO2 levels to sustain lush green landscapes.
A new study reveals an 'expanding hole' illusion that deceives the brain, prompting a dilation reflex in the pupils and making us perceive more light. The illusion is perceived by approximately 86% of people and affects how our visual system anticipates and makes sense of the visual world.
Scientists at TU Wien have developed a new photocatalyst design that can split water into hydrogen and oxygen using sunlight. This process, called photocatalytic water splitting, has the potential to produce environmentally friendly 'green hydrogen' with higher efficiency than traditional electrolysis methods.
A global black market for COVID-19 antiviral drugs is emerging, putting patients' health in jeopardy due to unequal distribution and substandard products. The investigation found that patients are buying pills online without medical supervision, increasing the risk of birth defects and viral resistance.
The number of violent incidents recorded by police forces at UK general practices has almost doubled in the past five years, with 182 reported assaults resulting in injury last year. Malicious communications and stalking have also increased significantly, highlighting a growing issue of abuse against GPs and their staff.
Researchers found that the effectiveness of exercise depends on the time of day, with morning exercise reducing belly fat and blood pressure in women, while evening exercise increasing muscular performance. For men, evening exercise lowers blood pressure, burns more fat, and improves heart disease risk.
A University of Utah-led study found a surge in anti-Asian hate language on Twitter between January and March 2020, with clusters of hateful tweets spreading across the US. The researchers identified 15 geographic regions where anti-Asian hate was statistically higher than expected.
This study analyzed global data from the Global Burden of Disease study to track changes in neonatal preterm birth incidence and mortality. The results showed significant declines in preterm birth rates and mortality globally, regionally, and nationally between 1990 and 2019.
A study published in eLife found that high-intensity interval training increases the production of proteins essential for energy metabolism and muscle contractions, as well as alters key metabolic proteins through acetylation. These changes may contribute to improved metabolic health.
A recent study published in eLife found that wildlife living in urban environments have picked up some gut bugs from humans, leading to a 'humanization' of their microbiota. The researchers analyzed gut microbiomes in distantly related vertebrates from urban and rural areas and discovered significant differences between the two.
A new study by Sonja Spitzer and Mujaheed Shaikh found that older people who overestimate their health visit the doctor less often, leading to delayed diagnoses and treatment. Conversely, those who underestimate their health visit the doctor more frequently.
A study conducted by Kaunas University of Technology researchers analyzed how people with Alzheimer's disease process visual information from faces. The study found that brain signals in patients are significantly noisier, making it harder for them to focus and be attentive.
Researchers investigated the effects of treatment with exogenous Humanin G on inflammation markers in AMD and normal retinal cells. The study found reduced levels of inflammatory proteins in AMD plasma and treated cybrids, highlighting the positive effects of Humanin G.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve promotes healing in acute inflammation by shifting the balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules. This finding opens new avenues for treating inflammatory diseases, including autoimmune and cardiovascular conditions.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have created an automated scanning device that detects monolayers with high accuracy, reducing processing time and costs. The system utilizes AI-powered image processing to analyze images of materials, identifying monolayers with near 100% accuracy in just nine minutes.
Researchers developed ultralight flexible perovskite solar cells using parylene-C films, exhibiting a remarkable PCE of 20.2%. The device's light weight and outstanding power-per-weight ratio demonstrate great promise for fabricating efficient and portable solar cells.
Researchers found that anticipating future stress related to elections can affect people's emotional well-being before anything has happened. Education was shown to help protect individuals against these stresses, even for those actively engaged in the political process.
A new mobile app provides effective support for children with obesity by tracking their weight development in real-time and offering personalized care. The app achieved twice the weight loss results compared to conventional care, particularly benefiting adolescents who were previously difficult to reach with behavioral therapy.
A team of researchers from Waseda University developed a novel solution to efficiently solve complex optimization problems using Ising machines. Their hybrid algorithm reduces residual energy and reaches more optimal results in shorter time, increasing the machine's applicability across industries and sustainability practices.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University used quantum dots to model the electron scattering Kondo effect in ferrimagnetic substances. The T-shaped lattice arrangement led to a surprising suppression of electrical conductivity, contrary to initial expectations.
Researchers from Arizona State University investigate autoantibodies in healthy individuals, revealing their pervasiveness and role in human health and disease. The findings aim to improve diagnostics and therapeutics for a range of illnesses.
Researchers found a significant rise in proportion of patients in SWOG cancer trials insured by Medicaid after ACA's Medicaid expansion. The proportion increased by 20% each year following the expansion, resulting in a threefold increase over expected levels.
Researchers at Washington State University have discovered that a specific population of CD4-positive helper T cells initiates antitumor immunity defenses, which can enhance the effectiveness of killer cell attacks on cancer cells. This finding holds promise for improving cancer immunotherapy response rates.
Research by Cornell University found that women directors employ various tactics to manage the 'double bind' of expectations for warmth and competence. These tactics include diversifying conversations, clarifying perspectives, and amplifying their expertise to achieve specific aims.
Researchers at Jacobs University have discovered a new class of compounds with anionic metal-oxo clusters that exhibit unique properties. The discovery has the potential to lead to breakthroughs in biomedical studies and industrial catalysis, as well as carbon dioxide reduction.
A new study published in Cell compares the four types of COVID-19 vaccines and reveals that most people retain some immune response to SARS-CoV-2. The researchers found that immune memory may not prevent infection but helps fight severe disease.
A review of scientific evidence concludes that diet has little impact on the progression of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. While a healthy diet brings other health benefits, the impact on these diseases is small and not clinically meaningful.
A team of scientists used radiocarbon birth dating to show that human liver cells stay young throughout life, averaging less than three years old. The study found that typical liver cells renew approximately once a year, while DNA-rich cells can live up to a decade.
Researchers found a significant link between ultrafine particle emissions and extreme weather events, such as droughts and strong precipitation. An increase in particle numbers correlates with regionally changed precipitation patterns worldwide.
A new large national study by the American Cancer Society shows significant racial and ethnic disparities in cardiovascular mortality among cancer survivors. The study found increased risk of CVD death among Non-Hispanic Black and Native American survivors, while Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander survivors were at lower risk.
A new data-driven simulation model, SOURCE, has been developed to help policymakers understand and address the nation's rampant opioid crisis. The model presents a detailed understanding of the crisis by capturing how interconnections between stages of prescription and illicit opioid use have evolved over time.
Scientists have described a new species of therizinosaurid from Japan, shedding light on the function and evolution of their fearsome claws. The discovery indicates that therizinosaurs existed in Asia over a longer timescale than previously known and were adapted to coastal environments.
A new small-molecule STING agonist has been developed to activate innate immunity and alter tumor immune phenotype, leading to improved treatment outcomes. The compound effectively inhibited cancer cell growth and induced immunological memory, paving the way for novel combination therapies.
A study by IASS researchers found that strong renewable energy industries lead to more ambitious renewable energy policies in subsequent years. The authors suggest that policy choices can enhance innovative capacity and promote local value creation to achieve the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal.
A new large national study found Black patients with early-onset colorectal cancer received worse and less timely care than white counterparts. Health insurance coverage type was the largest identified contributor to racial disparities, accounting for 28.6% of the disparity among colon cancer patients.
Researchers found conversion messages to be more effective than one-sided messages in convincing vaccine-hesitant individuals to get vaccinated. The study showed that messages sharing a personal story of someone changing their mind about vaccines increased pro-vaccine attitudes and behavioral intentions among high hesitancy participants.
A new study suggests that current NHS complaint-handling policies focus too much on validity and not enough on learning from concerns raised. The researchers recommend clarifying roles, reviewing data collection systems, and involving patients in investigations to improve the system.
A new NJIT-led center aims to tackle complex challenges in drug development, including improved solubility, affordability, and accessibility. Researchers will investigate particle properties and develop digital tools to predict behaviors, enabling more efficient formulations and manufacturing processes.
The number of US children suspected to have attempted suicide by poisoning increased by 26.7% between 2015 and 2020, according to researchers at the University of Virginia Health System. The majority of these cases involved girls, and the age group with the largest increase was children aged 10-12.
A seven-year study found that mothers with increasing levels of depression are at a greater risk of their children developing emotional, social, and academic problems. Children whose mothers experienced consistently high symptoms performed similarly to those with low symptoms on a task requiring focused attention.
A new 'climate cardiology' specialty is needed to tackle the growing links between climate change and cardiovascular health. Experts warn that the healthcare sector contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
A study suggests switching from intramuscular to subcutaneous injection may ease post-vaccination fatigue in humans, similar to findings in mice. Researchers identified molecular characteristics linked to increased fatigue and correlated them with baseline gene expression of immune cells.
A new study by Bigelow Laboratory confirms the effectiveness of chemical dispersants in breaking down oil in seawater under real-world conditions. The researchers found that dispersants were effective if applied within two to four days, a typical time frame for oil spill response.
A new study from UT Southwestern Medical Center found that telemedicine and continuous glucose monitoring helped reduce the negative impacts of COVID-19 on children with Type 1 diabetes. Despite a decrease in office visits, disease management remained unchanged, but disparities persisted among minority and low-income patients.