A new study calls for expanded access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services in rural areas, focusing on women's sanitary needs. The research found that unmet WASH needs exacerbate self-esteem and drug usage among people experiencing homelessness.
Researchers from Goethe University Frankfurt have developed a biobattery for hydrogen storage using bacteria that can bind and release hydrogen in a reversible process. The system has been shown to store and release hydrogen stably over long periods, making it a promising solution for carbon-neutral energy production.
Researchers have found a way to perform hydrogen atom transfer reactions with fewer chemicals and less cost, making it more efficient for industrial and academic settings. The new method uses electrochemistry to create cobalt hydride catalysts, reducing the need for expensive oxidants and reductants.
A new study finds that reducing emissions of short-lived climate pollutants like methane and ozone can cut the rate of global warming in half by 2050. This approach offers a fighting chance to prevent catastrophic warming and improve our chances of remaining below the 1.5 degree centigrade mark.
New experiments in mice contradict fears that COVID-19 vaccination affects fetal growth and fertility. Vaccination is shown to protect the fetus from infection, while infection reduces fetal growth. The study adds further evidence against popular claims of vaccine harms during pregnancy.
Researchers developed an amphiphilic assembly to enhance electron transfer kinetics in biofuel cells. The approach resulted in high power output and operational stability, breaking the limitations of traditional enzyme immobilization methods.
A study of early-onset colon cancer found that five-year survival rates remained lower for Blacks and Hispanics compared to Whites, despite improvements in White survival over a 20-year span. The disparities persisted even among younger adults with localized disease.
Male mice exhibit increased stress hormones and decreased pain sensitivity when near pregnant or lactating females, which is linked to a specific olfactory signal. This finding has significant implications for improving experiment reliability and represents a breakthrough in mammalian social signaling.
A new study found that crown-like structures surrounding breast tumors in overweight and obese patients can hinder their response to therapy. Researchers identified a potential molecular biomarker, CD32B, which is associated with poorer treatment outcomes.
Researchers discovered that hydrating the surface of airways in people with cystic fibrosis restores their protective barrier against bacterial infections. This breakthrough opens the way to new therapies based on mucus hydration, offering a promising alternative to current treatments.
A retrospective cohort study found that poor continuity of care is associated with increased health care use and sub-optimal prescribing of guideline-recommended medications in patients with CKD. Strengthening patient-provider relationships and guiding physicians on recommended prescribing can help mitigate these issues.
Researchers found that tension and lack of it have a significant impact on surgical performance, with shared past successes priming teams for better collaboration
A recent study by Seoul National University researchers found that human membrane proteins have evolved to strike a balance between foldability and functionality. The folding pathway of a glucose transporter was elucidated using single-molecule magnetic tweezers, revealing the importance of domain stability in structure formation.
Researchers at FSU's CAPS have developed a new superconducting cable system that uses helium gas for cooling, overcoming previous limitations. This breakthrough enables the creation of highly compact and efficient power cables suitable for electric ships and aircraft.
A new study explores a novel magnesium battery compound with a cathode of Mg2MnO4, achieving an energy density of 335 Wh/kg and surpassing previous records. However, initial capacity loss in charging cycles is noted, highlighting the need for further research to recover lost capacity.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that a double layer of silk in combination with a surgical mask can enhance its ability to prevent the spread of viruses like COVID-19. The study also showed that double masking with a silk face mask prolongs the life of surgical masks without impeding breathing comfort.
Researchers discovered a new gene, ZBTB11, that drives heart muscle cell degeneration in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. The gene's activity induces damage to neighboring heart cells, a key process in the disease.
Scientists from Harvard and Pittsburgh develop liquid crystal elastomer material that can perform complex dance-like motions in response to UV light. The material's behavior is inspired by the interconnected structures of the human body, allowing it to seamlessly integrate dynamic processes.
Researchers developed a method combining low-power lasers with ultrasound to safely and efficiently remove arterial plaque. The technique reduces the risk of complications and improves the efficiency of plaque removal compared to traditional methods.
A new study proposes designing permeable pavements to reduce flood impacts in Australia, with the potential to store up to 50% of rainfall and reduce urban flooding by up to 50%. The proposed system takes into account local soil types and rainfall intensity, and has been tested on 107 towns and cities across Australia.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute have developed an algorithmic planner that helps delegate tasks to humans and robots. The planner considers a list of tasks and decides how best to assign them, considering the time it takes for humans to complete tasks and teach robots new skills.
A new project led by University of Illinois professor Jingrui He seeks to detect and predict insider threats in large organizations. The team will use multimodal data to identify outliers and rare category types of insider threats and propose dynamic update techniques.
A landmark research article published in Science predicted exponential growth in US drug overdose deaths, which has now come true with over 100,000 annual deaths. The Pitt team suggests that a systems analysis and computational models are necessary to understand the deep causal drivers of the epidemic.
Researchers found no general population-level trends supporting the 'boys will be boys' phrase. Instead, girls and boys showed variation in domains such as values, cognitive ability, and grades. The study's results highlight the importance of considering individual domains when assessing gender differences.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that patients with severe asymptomatic carotid stenosis have a low risk of stroke, potentially reducing the need for surgery. The study tracked over 3,700 patients and showed that those not undergoing surgery had a cumulative stroke risk of 4.7% within 5 years.
Researchers used big data and machine learning methods to provide insight into equity valuation over the past two decades. However, a review by Professor Doron Nissim identified crucial areas that require more research attention.
The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation has donated $10 million to City of Hope to expand its supportive care programs for cancer patients, improving treatment outcomes and quality of life. The partnership aims to establish supportive care as a standard practice in cancer care across the US.
Researchers develop Spatio-Temporal Optical Coherence Tomography (STOC-T) to measure retinal flicker optoretinograms at high frequencies. This breakthrough allows fast and non-invasive assessment of photoreceptor function, paving the way for new treatments for eye diseases.
A study by researchers at Keck School of Medicine of USC found that interpersonal problems, such as loneliness and relationship dissatisfaction, predict vulnerability to financial exploitation in older adults. Social connectedness is shown to be a key protector against financial abuse.
A landmark trial found that a widely used diabetes drug, metformin, is not effective against the most common forms of early-stage breast cancer. However, researchers discovered a potential benefit for individuals with HER2-positive breast cancer, which accounts for about 20% of all breast cancers.
A study found that 24.5% of GPs used POCUS for exploratory purposes, rather than focused examinations, highlighting the need for guidelines on appropriate use. The study also showed that 75% of GPs performed exams outside their training areas, raising concerns about patient safety.
A new study by the University of Birmingham found that dopamine levels can affect emotion recognition in people with neurological disorders. Those with low baseline dopamine levels improved their ability to recognize emotions after receiving a dopamine boost, while those with higher baseline levels became worse at emotion recognition.
Scientists from Tokyo Medical and Dental University uncover the reason behind titanium implants' excellent biocompatibility, allowing patients to generate less immune response. This breakthrough may lead to safer and less expensive implants for hip replacements and dental procedures.
A study led by Flinders University reveals that Australia's Letter-winged kite may not have enhanced vision for nighttime hunting as previously thought. The research found similar eye dimensions to its daytime-hunting relatives, contradicting decades of speculation about the kite's visual system.
Researchers have developed a new degradable polymer material with improved biodegradability, outperforming existing bioplastics like PLA or PCL. The material can degrade by over 70% in a week, making it suitable for applications such as thermosensitive nanoparticles for medicine administration.
A new study using Hyperpolarized Xenon 129 MRI found lung abnormalities in non-hospitalized long COVID patients, even those who had not been hospitalized with the illness. The abnormalities were detected up to a year after initial infection and included defects in lung function and gas exchange.
A study found that higher prices and inconvenience associated with legal sources drove consumers to purchase cannabis from illegal providers. The main reasons cited by respondents were legal sources being too expensive and inconvenient, with convenience being the second-highest factor.
Researchers developed a method to predict Western wildfire severity based on winter and spring climate conditions. The study found that April snowpack has a persistent influence on land and atmosphere during the summer, making it more conducive for fires.
Scientists have developed a built-in push-pull acousto-optic modulator with high energy overlap, achieving comparable efficiency to suspended counterparts. The device overcomes issues with low modulation efficiency and exhibits excellent characteristics for on-chip microwave-to-optical conversion devices.
Parents generally accept AI tools for managing children with respiratory illnesses in the ED, but younger and non-Hispanic Black parents have greater concerns. The study highlights the importance of involving diverse stakeholders in developing AI systems for pediatric healthcare.
A study comparing whole genomes of several mustelids, including the tayra and wolverine, identifies multiple sources of genomic variation contributing to species-specific traits. The research sheds light on how these adaptations evolved in response to different ecological challenges.
A study of 2.3 million patient records found that antibiotic use was associated with a higher risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease in older adults. The risk increased substantially with each course of antibiotics, with patients who received five or more courses being over 2.3 times more likely to be diagnosed with the condition.
A randomized trial found that enhanced post-discharge telehealth programs reduced 30-day readmission rates among patients with moderate to severe depressive symptoms. However, implementation barriers, such as perceived counseling needs, limited the intervention's impact.
Researchers propose a new method to study neural networks using intrinsic signal optical imaging (ISOI), which provides detailed maps of brain activity in living subjects. The study shows that ISOI can reveal cortical architecture at columnar resolution, offering a more accurate picture of brain network activity than existing methods.
Vertebrate scavengers prefer to dine on the carcasses of herbivores like mallard ducks and chickens, rather than higher-trophic-level vulture remains. This study found that avian and mammal scavengers only consumed a small portion of the vulture carcasses, highlighting the complexity of nutrient cycling through food webs.
Researchers found that liver transplants from drug overdose donors increased by 26% during the pandemic, while overall solid organ transplant use from overdose donors rose by 31.2%. This trend suggests that a surge in organ donations from overdose deaths helped stabilize liver transplant numbers despite COVID-19 disruptions.
Researchers analyzed iron samples from asteroid cores to determine the timing of asteroid core cooling and collisions. The study suggests that violent collisions occurred within a 7.8-11.7 million year window after solar system formation, indicating a chaotic early phase.
Researchers identified a blood biomarker that predicts severe Crohn's disease and is detectable up to seven years prior to diagnosis. The biomarker neutralizes protective effects of a cytokine, leading to intestinal damage and weakening the immune system.
McGill University researchers have created a class of cellular metamaterials that can flat-fold and lock into positions that remain stiff across multiple directions. These materials offer unprecedented properties for deployable structures such as submarines, robots, and low-volume packaging.
Researchers discovered that genes in the fetal suprachiasmatic nuclei respond to rhythmic behavior in the mother before the biological clock starts ticking on its own. This finding may have implications for premature babies and highlights the importance of a healthy maternal circadian system during pregnancy.
A new study found that COVID vaccine trials conducted in locations with low infection rates reported higher efficacy results compared to those in high infection rates. The researchers argue that pandemic prevalence should be included in the interpretation of Phase 3 trial efficacy results for more meaningful policy decisions.
The USPSTF states that primary open-angle glaucoma affects an estimated 2.7 million people in the US, with Black and Hispanic/Latino individuals being disproportionately affected. The organization concludes that screening for this condition is insufficient due to current evidence.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Surgery analyzes data from almost 35,000 surgical patients to evaluate the accuracy of a risk assessment system called SURPAS. The researchers found that the eight-variable SURPAS model accurately predicted post-operative ICU use across nine surgical specialties.
Archaeologists are leading excavations on the site of Leicester Cathedral, uncovering over 120 burials from the late Saxon period to the recent past. The excavations will reveal insights into the lives of people who lived and died in Leicester, including aspects of the Roman town that predated the Cathedral.
Researchers have successfully processed sequences with a large neural network while consuming significantly less energy on neuromorphic hardware. This breakthrough showcases the potential of neuromorphic technology to improve the energy efficiency of AI workloads.
The polyphagous shot hole borer is estimated to cause $18.45 billion in economic losses over the next ten years if left unchecked. Urban areas are particularly vulnerable due to stressed trees and non-native species.
Researchers develop a new optimization model integrating electricity and hydrogen systems to evaluate the potential value of long-duration energy storage (LDES) in a net-zero grid. The integration of LDES technologies reduces overall annual cost of the electricity grid by tens or hundreds of millions of pounds.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that the type of macrophage present in a person's body may determine how likely they are to develop severe inflammation in response to COVID-19. The research found that an aggressive subset of macrophages, known as M1 macrophages, can cause a cascade of events leading to multi-organ fa...
A study led by Tel Aviv University researchers reveals a common mechanism underlying genetic mutations associated with autism, schizophrenia, and other neurological disorders. The discovery points to an experimental drug developed by the team as a potential treatment for these conditions.
A new study from Keck Medicine of USC found that cochlear implants improve deaf children's cognitive, adaptive behavior, language, and auditory skills, regardless of developmental impairments. The study suggests that deaf children with learning delays should receive cochlear implants to reach their full potential.