COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy was found to lower the risk of severe outcomes including preterm birth and postpartum hemorrhage. Vaccination during pregnancy is now recommended to protect against COVID-19 infection.
Researchers have discovered that small eddies, swirling at the edges of massive ocean currents, are a key source of nutrients for phytoplankton. These nutrient-rich eddies help maintain healthy populations of phytoplankton, which are essential for carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change effects.
A newly developed composite sponge-based air filter has demonstrated strong potential for applications in automobiles and industry, with high efficiency in removing particulate matter under harsh conditions. The filter's unique design and materials ensure good structural stability and adaptability to various environments.
Researchers found that warmer nighttime temperatures increase sleep disturbance, comparable to the impact of heatstroke, in Japan's residents. The study suggests that measures like air conditioner use or reducing outdoor temperatures may help mitigate this issue.
A new study found that fewer Asian, Black, and Hispanic patients qualify for anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody treatments, which may slow Alzheimer's progression. The treatment's effectiveness depends on the presence of amyloid plaques, with lower incidence in minorities.
A new study from the University of Kansas suggests that fostering positive attitudes toward math and science early in students' lives can address gender and socioeconomic gaps in STEM. The study analyzed data from over 21,000 students and found that having a science or math identity in ninth grade can increase the likelihood of enrolli...
A University of Houston professor has developed a nonreciprocal solar energy harvesting system that surpasses the thermodynamic limit and clears the way to use solar power 24/7. The new system can achieve significant efficiency boosts, paving the way for practical applications in power plants.
Scientists have discovered a way to use nanoscale, low-power laser beams to precisely control magnetism within two-dimensional semiconductors. This technique has implications for studying the emergence of correlated phases and designing new optoelectronic and spintronic devices.
Researchers analyzed data from 145,000 pregnancies and found that antidepressant exposure was not associated with autism spectrum disorder or other neurodevelopmental disorders. The study suggests that antidepressant use during pregnancy may not increase the risk of these conditions in children.
A cross-sectional study of over 70,000 Asian Americans found significant variation in obesity prevalence among subgroups, with Filipino Americans having the highest rate at 28.7% and Chinese Americans the lowest at 13.2%. The study highlights the need for tailored strategies to address obesity disparities among Asian American populations.
Researchers at Penn State and the University of Arizona are developing biotechnology foundations that employ synthetic anaerobic bacteria to capture and convert methane. The goal is to create scalable biological reactors that can harness methane before it escapes to the atmosphere, producing electricity or valuable chemicals.
Researchers found that calf muscle stiffness contributes to passive ankle joint stiffness, especially when dorsiflexed. The study suggests that exercises to relieve triceps surae stiffness can improve joint flexibility and reduce injury risk.
Researchers develop custom vaccines that induce broadly neutralizing antibodies to protect against HIV variants. The team uses a modified HIV spike protein to prime the immune system, paving the way for an effective HIV vaccine.
Scientists at UC San Francisco's Neuroscape Center have developed video game interventions that improve key aspects of cognition in aging adults, including short-term memory, attention and long-term memory. The games use adaptive closed-loop algorithms to challenge players, keeping them engaged while adapting difficulty levels.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside successfully modeled the formation of SARS-CoV-2 using coarse-grained models, revealing key ingredients and components contributing to its packaging. The study could inform the design of effective antiviral drugs to arrest coronaviruses in their assembly stage.
Researchers at Oregon State University developed a new satellite tag that allows long-term tracking of whale feeding behavior. This innovation will help better understand key whale behaviors, identify important habitats, and inform conservation efforts to protect whales from human activities such as ship traffic.
Researchers found a way for peptide-forming reactions to occur in water, solving a decades-long puzzle about early Earth chemistry. The process requires rapid reactions on the margins of water droplets, where amino acids can transform into life's building blocks.
Scientists have identified estrogen-related receptor gamma (ESRRG) as a key molecular driver of retinoblastoma. Blocking ESRRG kills retinoblastoma cells, even under low-oxygen conditions. This breakthrough discovery offers new hope for treating this rare cancer.
Researchers at Boston University have found a way to manipulate emotional memories using optogenetics, allowing them to rewrite and reduce the potency of negative memories. The study reveals that positive and negative memories are stored in distinct regions of the brain and communicate through different pathways.
A new study confirms that plants can adapt to diurnal or nocturnal pollinators through evolutionary changes. In a Costa Rican plant species, insect pests were found to exclusively pollinate during the day, using a previously unknown scent compound.
Researchers at Penn State developed a stretchy, wearable synaptic transistor that enhances and weakens device memories using artificial intelligence and neuronal behavior. The device can 'learn' and adapt to its environment, enabling robots and wearables to mimic human brain function.
A new study predicts that the frequency of rainy days in the Arctic could roughly double by 2100 as a result of rapid warming. This shift is expected to increase permafrost melt and speed up the loss of sea ice cover, with far-reaching consequences for Arctic ecology and Indigenous communities.
A new study from Uppsala University found that using a weighted blanket at bedtime increases melatonin production by about 30 percent. The researchers also discovered that the weight of the blanket (12% of participant's body weight) reduced stress system activity, but had no effect on oxytocin and cortisol levels.
Purdue researchers have developed a new formulation of the world's whitest paint that is thinner and lighter, achieving nearly the same benchmark of solar reflectance as the original. The new paint incorporates hexagonal boron nitride and voids of air, providing reduced weight and increased cooling capabilities.
Researchers found that people wearing masks in China were less likely to engage in deviant behavior, such as running red lights or cheating for money. Mask-wearing was associated with increased moral awareness, leading some individuals to behave more ethically.
A new species of iris has been discovered in the Langeberg Mountains of South Africa, known as Geissorhiza seracina. The plant boasts a unique deep cherry-pink color and is one of the first new Iridaceae species to be found in over a decade.
Researchers from Osaka University have developed a new method to control topological electronic states in smarium hexaboride, detouring its topological protection. This breakthrough could lead to new technologies for higher speed and low power consumption electronics.
Researchers found that the return of radiolarians, a tiny marine organism, helped restore habitable conditions after the massive extinction event. The study suggests that every microorganism plays a vital role in regulating biogeochemical cycles and conservation of the planet.
Research finds significant variation in obesity prevalence among Asian American subgroups, with health risks starting at lower BMIs. The study suggests using specific criteria for Asian populations to accurately assess obesity-related health risks.
A new study from the University of Bergen found that prophylactic anti-malarials can save money and reduce hospital readmissions for severely anaemic children in malaria-endemic areas. The research showed a 70% reduction in readmissions and deaths among these children.
Researchers have discovered a new pathway for producing telomerase RNA from protein-coding messenger RNA, offering potential innovations in mRNA vaccines and understanding of telomere biology. This finding has implications for reversing cellular aging and extending human lifespan.
A study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that large specialized referral centers for complex IVC filter retrievals achieved a 100% success rate and low adverse event rates. Prolonged filter dwell time was identified as an independent predictor of adverse events.
A study by Queen Mary University of London and University of Nottingham found that patients with young onset dementia are at a high risk of suicide, particularly if under 65 or have psychiatric illness. Early recognition and support after diagnosis are crucial in reducing distress caused by this devastating condition.
The Arizona Area Health Education Centers Program will receive $7.2 million in state and federal funding to grow the health professions workforce in rural and urban medically underserved communities. The program aims to increase access to primary and preventive care, addressing health disparities in Arizona.
A research team proposes that magnetic reconnection around black holes energizes plasma, producing copious electron-positron pairs loaded into radio jets. This explanation aligns with M87 observations and predicts short-term X-ray emission when plasma is loaded.
A University of Essex study found that over 90% of deaf people struggled to communicate while wearing masks, with 76% missing vital information and 59% feeling disconnected from society. The researchers hope their findings will inform public policy in future health emergencies.
Researchers found mutated PKCγ enzyme leads to elevated activity, disrupting Purkinje cell function and driving cerebellar pathology. The study suggests inhibiting the enzyme may have therapeutic potential for spinocerebellar ataxia type 14 and potentially other subtypes.
Early Jurassic ichthyosaur juveniles showed predatory specializations, with physical differences in their snouts indicating distinct diets. The study used CT scans and biomechanical testing to confirm that the slender-snouted ichthyosaurs had a quick but weak bite, while the broad-snouted ichthyosaurs had a slow but powerful bite.
Researchers mapped the spread of pathogens in wild macaque populations near human settlements, finding that monkeys with high human interactions cause larger outbreaks. The study used computer simulations to predict disease transmission and identified key factors influencing outbreak size.
Scientists have identified two new epigenetic biomarkers that can predict the development of aggressive prostate cancer, enabling clinicians to develop more personalized treatment plans. The study used comprehensive molecular analysis of 185 biopsies from men with prostate cancer diagnosed between 1990 and 2000.
A research group has developed an innovative methodology to quantify the electrochemical reversibility of a lithium metal anode in practical lithium battery systems. The method enables the precise quantification of active and inactive lithium, allowing for a better understanding of the degradation and failure of Li metal batteries.
Researchers at KAUST have identified thermophilic bacteria with potential to degrade oil contamination. The study reveals that certain bacteria can secrete surfactants and absorb emulsified petroleum into their cells for degradation via enzymatic activity.
A team of engineers has created a miniature chip that uses 'rainbow' trapping of light to detect viruses and diseases. The system, which can be integrated with smartphones, allows for high-throughput sensing of biomarkers such as exosomal epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), distinguishing lung cancer patients from healthy controls.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin used Auger photo-electron coincidence spectroscopy to study the occupation of outer d-orbital shells in copper, nickel, and cobalt. The results confirm known findings for copper and nickel, but reveal highly delocalized d electrons in cobalt.
Researchers found that Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) colonizes the gut without symptoms, depleting key bacteria and leaving tell-tale marks. Rebalancing gut bacteria may help promote CPE decolonization and prevent antibiotic resistance transmission.
Researchers from Nara Institute of Science and Technology have discovered a high fill factor in all-polymer blend solar cells, exceeding 60%, which is higher than previously reported values. This breakthrough could help solve the environmental issue of silicon-based solar cell waste.
Researchers have discovered that zinc ions enhance the electrochromic properties of titanium dioxide nanocrystals, resulting in fast switching, high contrast, and high stability. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of cost-effective and rapid electrochromic devices.
Research from German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research finds poorly defined land rights increase deforestation in Brazil. Private land rights can be effective if combined with strict environmental policies, such as the Forest Code.