A study conducted at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that a higher dose of melatonin (5mg) increased total sleep time compared to placebo in healthy older adults. The high-dose melatonin group showed significant improvements in both nighttime and daytime sleep episodes.
A new study reveals that running increases dopamine release and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, leading to improved learning, memory, and motor skills. The findings provide insight into the long-term effects of exercise on the brain and may lead to new treatments for Parkinson's disease.
A world-first study reveals why people with COPD are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19. Researchers found that COPD airway cells had a 24-fold greater infection with SARS-CoV-2, leading to increased viral load and inflammatory responses.
A new micro-device has been developed to streamline the Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) procedure, allowing more IVF clinics to offer this treatment. The device, smaller than a pinhead in size, holds up to 10 eggs and simplifies the injection process.
Exercise strengthens bones, reduces fracture risk, and improves posture in people with osteoporosis. A consensus statement recommends a balanced routine of muscle strengthening exercises on 2-3 days and moderate impact activities on most days.
A team of scientists led by Professor Barbara Pierscionek has made significant progress in developing an anti-cataract drug. Lab trials showed improvement in refractive index profiles and lens opacity in 61% and 46% of cases, respectively.
A global study of over 51,000 adolescents aged 13-15 found that approximately 8.6% reported vaping in the past 30 days, with lower rates for frequent vaping. Countries with higher tobacco taxes tend to have higher adolescent vaping rates.
A clinical trial found that adding immunotherapy to standard treatment increased the likelihood of complete tumor eradication in patients with high PD-L1 expression. The combination could become a new standard of care if confirmed in larger trials.
A new study reveals that individuals with sickle cell disease spend approximately $1.7 million on lifetime medical expenses, highlighting the significant economic burden of living with this disease. The study found that out-of-pocket costs for those with private insurance plans can be as high as 5-10% of their annual income.
Researchers analyzed ancient incense samples from a Tang Dynasty Buddhist temple and found evidence of exotic spices like elemi and frankincense. The findings provide insight into the complex role of incense in religious rituals and court activities during this period.
A new analysis of nationally representative data reveals a significant increase in the impact of HPV vaccination efforts, leading to decreased prevalence of cancer-causing HPV infections among both vaccinated and unvaccinated females. The study found that vaccination has directly protected individuals and generated herd effects, reduci...
A recent study published in Breast Cancer Research suggests that self-reported male infertility may be associated with an increased risk of invasive breast cancer. The researchers conducted a case-control study among 1,998 males diagnosed with breast cancer, comparing them to 1,597 control males without blood relatives. The study found...
Researchers at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology have developed a new bioinformatics pipeline, CRESSP, to investigate the mechanism underlying autoimmune diseases following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The tool identified potential epitopes responsible for COVID-related autoimmune diseases and predicted cross-reactive epitopes of di...
A new study found that artery stiffness is a better predictor of future Type 2 diabetes risk than blood pressure or other standard risk factors. People with high blood pressure and stiffer arteries had the highest risk of developing diabetes, highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment.
A study by Osaka University found that fat accumulation in liver tumors can predict patient response to immunotherapy. The researchers identified a unique tumor immune microenvironment, known as steatotic HCC, which is associated with high infiltration of immune cells but exhaustion of nearby T cells.
Researchers developed PASTE, a method to analyze spatial transcriptomics data in three dimensions, enabling biologists to better understand cell environments and identify rare cell types. The technique can integrate information from multiple tissue slices, providing a more complete picture of gene expression within tissues.
Researchers analyzed de-identified EHR data in the National COVID Cohort Collaborative to find patterns that can help identify individuals with long COVID. The study identified over 200,000 likely cases as of May 2022 and found common features such as new medications, doctor visits, and symptoms.
A wireless pacifier developed by researchers at Washington State University can monitor infants' electrolyte levels without the need for invasive blood draws. This non-invasive method provides real-time monitoring of sodium and potassium ion concentrations in saliva.
Researchers found that Mars' extreme energy budget imbalance can contribute to dust storms. The team analyzed four years of data from NASA missions and found a correlation between the planet's orbits and temperatures, suggesting that the energy excess may be one of the generating mechanisms of Mars' dust storms.
A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers suggests that eliminating air pollution emissions from energy-related activities in the United States would prevent over 50,000 premature deaths each year. The study also found that this action could provide more than $600 billion in benefits annually from avoided illness and d...
A new study from Queen Mary University of London suggests that e-cigarettes are just as safe as nicotine patches for pregnant smokers and may help more women quit smoking. The study found that e-cigarette users had better proven quit rates at the end of pregnancy compared to those using nicotine patches.
A team of 76 scientists used multiple forms of technology to collect data on the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano eruption, which was measured globally by 53 infrasound monitors. The data revealed that infrasound waves traveled surprisingly far and accurately recorded the event's seismic activity.
The European drought event from 2018 to 2020 was the most intense in over 250 years, affecting approximately one third of the land area. The drought's total duration was unusually long, starting in April 2018 and ending in December 2020.
A recent study reveals that sexual minority individuals are less likely to undergo cervical cancer screening, with Hispanic individuals facing the most significant disparities. The analysis of 2015–2018 data from the National Health Interview Survey found that white sexual minority participants and Hispanic sexual minority participants...
Researchers argue that methane's climate impact is inadequately represented in existing governance frameworks, neglecting its role in near-term climate change and air pollution. Policymakers can take swift action with available technologies and cost-effective measures to reduce methane emissions.
A UCI-led research team suggests that extending the prescribed burning season in California can help prevent wildland fires from getting out of control. The study found that periods during winter and spring have favorable weather conditions for safe and effective human-set blazes, but limited burn windows are a major obstacle to conduc...
A new study validates modeling of megafire smoke using satellite- and ground-based observations from Australia and British Columbia. The research improves predictive capability for global-scale events, enhancing our understanding of climate change impacts.
A new species of Phalotris snake was discovered in Paraguay's Cerrado forests, characterized by its unique red head, yellow collar, and black lateral band. The species is considered Endangered due to its extreme rarity and limited distribution.
Researchers from KAUST have designed an all-inorganic halide-perovskite polymer-fiber-photodetector that can detect light in the green region (around 510 nm), enabling fast underwater optical communications. The system offers a 3dB bandwidth of 13.1 MHz, allowing data transmission speeds of up to 152.5 Mbit/s.
A new study has found that robotic surgery reduces the chance of readmission by half and reveals a four-fold reduction in blood clots compared to open surgery. Patients also experience increased physical activity, stamina, and quality of life.
New research suggests that PSA screening has remarkably favorable tradeoffs, particularly for Black men, who disproportionately bear the burden of prostate cancer mortality and morbidity. The study's findings support the use of PSA screening for high-risk groups, including Black men, and highlight the need to revise clinical guidelines...
A study found that significant racial disparities in emphysema prevalence occur predominantly among Black adults, even after adjusting for socioeconomic status and smoking. Traditional measures of lung health using race-specific norms may be under-recognizing impaired respiratory health in Black individuals.
New research shows that by the end of 2021, only a third of UK children met the national recommended physical activity guidelines. The study found that on average, 10-11-year-olds took part in just 56 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity during weekdays.
In Chinese penduline tits, egg burial is primarily done to prevent eggs from rolling out of the nest in strong winds, a function that may have evolved in ancient species of the genus. This study found that 45% of eggs in experimental nests showed signs of being blown out, highlighting the importance of egg burial in these birds.
A clinical trial found that robotic surgery for bladder cancer removal and reconstruction significantly reduced recovery time, hospital stays, and readmissions. The study showed a 77% reduction in blood clots and improved physical activity and quality of life for patients.
Researchers discovered that e-cigarette vendors are adding synthetic cooling agents WS-3 and WS-23 to their products, which can cause organ toxicity. The study found that these agents were present in most popular e-cigarette brands, including Puffbar, and posed a risk to users, particularly when consumed regularly.
A recent study published in Obesity Reviews found that resistance training, in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet, can lead to significant fat mass and muscle loss. This breakthrough highlights the importance of considering non-aerobic exercise options for individuals struggling with obesity.
Research suggests that PSA screening can prevent a significant number of prostate cancer deaths, with lower numbers than previously estimated. The study's findings support the benefits of PSA screening, especially for young healthy men and Black men, who have historically been underrepresented in clinical trials.
Research links prediabetes to increased heart attack risk in young adults, highlighting the importance of lifestyle changes and routine health check-ups. The study found that individuals with prediabetes are 1.7 times more likely to be hospitalized for a heart attack compared to those without.
Researchers at New York University found that positive tweets about vaccines precede increases in vaccination rates, while negative tweets follow decreases. The study uses big data analytics and natural language processing to track vaccine-related topics and sentiment scores.
A targeted support program including patient education and regular monitoring by nurses improved blood pressure control among Black and Hispanic adults in the Bronx. The program resulted in participants taking their medication regularly and experiencing fewer episodes of uncontrolled high blood pressure.
Researchers found that COPD leads to premature senescence of the immune system, reducing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. This disruption impairs the immune system, making COPD patients more susceptible to infections.
Researchers have developed mini organs that replicate the cervical tissue, allowing for the study of normal physiology, disease development, and infectious processes. The creation of these mini organs, known as organoids, offers new opportunities for personalized medicine, finding new active substances, and modeling diseases.
Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology have developed a novel large-scale manufacturing technology for sulfide solid electrolytes, specifically Li7P3S11, which exhibits high ionic conductivity. This breakthrough enables the low-cost and scalable production of highly ion conductive solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batte...
A UNIGE team discovered that cells in curved tissues swell by 50% before returning to normal, opening avenues for in vitro organ culture. This active phenomenon can be harnessed to control spontaneous growth of organoids and develop new materials with volume increase upon folding.
Researchers visualized how J08 binds to different SARS-CoV-2 variants, revealing its flexibility and effectiveness. The antibody's ability to withstand mutations suggests it will remain effective against future variants.
A new study published in Science Advances suggests that life on Mars is unlikely due to limited water circulation. Researchers used neutron and X-ray tomography to analyze a 1.3 billion-year-old meteorite, finding only small amounts of water reacted with the rock.
Researchers used satellite images to estimate vegetative debris caused by tropical storms and hurricanes in Florida. They found debris was heavier in suburban and urban areas, which have a high density of people and roads.
A study found that high blood adenosine levels at 15 days of life correlated with white matter lesions and brain injury in very low birth weight premature infants. Adenosine may play a role in oligodendrocyte maturation and neuronal development, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for complications of prematurity.
Researchers at ETH Zurich successfully demonstrated a protocol for gentle, controlled measurement of mechanical quantum states in hybrid qubit-resonator devices. This breakthrough enables applications such as quantum error correction and more, paving the way for advanced technological innovations.
A study of 856 individuals found that those living 50 miles or more from an abortion facility were still pregnant four weeks later, highlighting the challenges faced by those seeking online abortion care. The research emphasizes the need for increased access to abortion facilities and support services in rural areas.
Researchers have developed a vertical matrix X-ray detector that can distinguish between substances of different densities, enhancing imaging contrast and identifying soft substances. The device uses a novel design to restore the X-ray spectrum in detail, enabling effective multi-energy discrimination under a single exposure.
Women's metabolism alters during menopause due to changes in sex hormone levels. Metabolite profiles show increased lipid and cholesterol levels, especially triglycerides and LDL particles, which can lead to atherosclerosis.
The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) announced that TVT: The Structural Heart Summit will feature 12 studies as Late-Breaking Clinical Science and Featured Clinical Research. These studies highlight advances in transcatheter aortic valve replacement, mitral, tricuspid, and left atrial appendage occlusion therapies.
The NTU team has developed a process using industrial carbide sludge and urea to create biocement, which can strengthen soil, reduce water seepage, and even repair rock carvings. The biocement-making process generates fewer carbon emissions and requires less energy compared to traditional cement production methods.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that soils in the Walnut Creek watershed can absorb over 99% of precipitation events, contradicting previous studies. The study suggests that urban planners address flooding problems by considering the amount and location of paved surfaces rather than soil composition.
A new study published in Cell Host & Microbe finds that friendly bacteria in the gut, such as Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, can compete with harmful bacteria like Salmonella for energy resources like nitrate. This competition allows the probiotic to occupy both niches and protect against infection.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that federal subsidies offset losses for hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research revealed that hospitals serving socioeconomically disadvantaged patients and those with higher uninsured patient populations were particularly affected by financial losses.
A team of researchers at Flinders University has developed a novel sorbent made from waste materials that can absorb almost all mercury in polluted water in minutes. The material, coated with poly(S-r-limonene), is fast-acting and selective, capturing only mercury without other metal contaminants.
A new study found that lean individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease compared to those who are overweight or obese. Despite having lower risks for other metabolic and cardiovascular conditions, lean patients with NAFLD were more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.