Researchers discovered that insects evolved ultrafast flight from a single common ancestor, with asynchronous beating and synchronous activation modes. They used physics models and robotics to test how these transitions could occur, finding that evolution can turn on and off this particular mode of flight.
A new study by the University of Göttingen reveals that oil palms' photosynthesis and response to meteorological and soil conditions play a significant role in N2O production. The research suggests that conventional measurement approaches can underestimate emissions by up to 49%.
A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that women living in more walkable neighborhoods have a lower risk of obesity-related cancers, particularly postmenopausal breast cancer. Neighborhood walkability is associated with increased physical activity and reduced car-dependency.
The Keck School of Medicine of USC has received a $2 million grant from the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine to further enhance its cutting-edge cGMP Laboratory. The funding will support the adoption of advanced technologies, including an electronic quality management system and optimized cell therapy manufacturing processes.
Researchers propose a new way to control moiré flatbands by adjusting the band offset of two photonic lattices, enabling the creation of novel multiresonant moiré devices. This breakthrough opens new opportunities in moiré photonics and promises to inspire future explorations into innovative moiré devices.
A new intervention for caregivers has been shown to reduce elder mistreatment of older adults with chronic illness, including dementia. The Comprehensive Older Adult and Caregiver Help (COACH) program provides personalized support to caregivers, reducing mistreatment rates from 22.5% to 0%.
A large-scale proteomics study from deCODE Genetics analyzed data from over 50,000 individuals across European, African, and Asian ancestry. The study identified over 80,000 associations between genetic variants and protein levels, as well as over 500,000 associations between diseases and other traits with protein levels.
A new study reveals that esketamine nasal spray is effective in treating treatment-resistant depression, with 27.1% of patients achieving remission after 8 weeks compared to 17.6% on quetiapine XR. Long-term data shows sustained remission rates at 21.7% for esketamine NS and 14.1% for quetiapine XR.
A new small-molecule drug candidate has been shown to increase the activity of immune cells and make tumors more vulnerable to immune attack. The molecule, ABBV-CLS-484, works by blocking proteins that normally shut down immune signals, resulting in a powerful dual response against cancer and immune cells.
A UK study found a 66% increase in freshwater invertebrates across England's rivers, with sensitive species like mayflies recovering most strongly. The improvement coincides with declines in pollutants and suggests effective water quality management.
A new CRISPR-based gene therapy platform will be developed to target genetic brain diseases like Angelman syndrome and H1-4 syndrome. The platform utilizes a novel delivery technology called STEP (Stimuli-responsive Traceless Engineering Platform), which has the capacity to revolutionize genome-editing therapy.
Researchers created a tiny 3D cell culture model that mimics the function of lymphatic vessels to explore how inflammatory substances affect the lymphatic system. They found that certain cytokines cause cells to tighten their junctions, leading to reduced fluid drainage and swelling. Inhibiting a protein called ROCK2 reversed lymphedem...
Researchers at Curtin University have created a piezoresistor the size of a human hair, revolutionizing chemical and biosensors. This breakthrough enables detection of diseases through molecular shape changes, offering new possibilities for health monitoring devices.
Current WHO TB prevention guidelines do not adequately address the needs of imprisoned populations, who are disproportionately affected by the disease. Researchers call for programs to prioritize prison inmates' access to preventive treatment.
A new study published in Nature Communications found that global sugary drink consumption increased by at least 16% since 1990, with the highest intakes observed in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. The study also reveals significant regional differences and correlations between sugary drink intake and socio-economic status.
The study found an increase in eating disorder emergency department visits and hospitalizations among females aged 10-17, 18-26, 27-40, and 41-105 years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Risk factors such as isolation, social media use, and decreased access to care may have contributed to this surge.
Researchers found that relying on existing diagnostic CT scans instead of new ones for simple palliative radiation treatments reduced patient wait times from nearly five hours to under 30 minutes. This novel workflow can improve the patient experience and reduce costs, making it a promising approach for expedited care.
Research by Jamila Michener shows that organized tenants can immediately resolve direct problems and advance health equity through collective action. Tenants from diverse backgrounds across the US were interviewed for the study, highlighting the potential for power-sharing in rental housing.
Research reveals UK immigration system's reliance on anger, disgust, suspicion, and fear to cast migrants as 'threatening, polluting and irrelevant', leading to deportability and disposability. The system employs emotional governance to disenfranchise migrants, fostering racial categorization and domination.
A new clinical trial has found that administering metformin to pregnant women with gestational diabetes does not increase adverse neonatal outcomes or maternal health risks. The study provides hope for expectant mothers and healthcare providers seeking a safe alternative to traditional insulin-based treatments.
A study by Swansea University found that 85% of powdered infant formula preparation machines failed to reach a temperature of at least 70°C, a crucial step in killing bacteria. The researchers recommend stronger consumer protections and updated labelling requirements for infant formula preparation devices.
A team of researchers at Northwestern University developed an AI capable of intelligently designing robots from scratch, compressing evolution into lightning speed. The AI designed a successfully walking robot in mere seconds, with a novel structure and three legs, fins along its back, and a flat face.
A phase 1/2 study shows that a stem cell-derived islet therapy has improved blood sugar control in all six adult patients with type 1 diabetes. Three patients achieved insulin independence and showed sustained improvements in blood glucose levels.
A recent study has found that rural US counties have worse health outcomes than their urban counterparts, with declines in health measures accelerating over time. The researchers developed a publicly available dashboard to visualize health disparities and identify areas for policy interventions.
The EBMT has introduced an upgraded patient Registry database to improve data collection, retrieval, and analysis in haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) research. The new platform offers enhanced features for healthcare professionals and researchers to access clinical data effectively.
A scoping review found that surgical scorecards can lower surgical procedure expenses by providing surgeons with direct feedback on their costs. The study analyzed data from 21 studies and identified key elements such as surgical supplies and operative time, revealing no significant impact on patient outcomes.
A special issue of SLAS Discovery magazine highlights the Virginia Drug Discovery Consortium's efforts to promote drug discovery and development in Virginia. The issue features original research, protocols, and perspectives on novel technologies and approaches for understanding and treating human disease.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a novel approach to capture carbon from ambient environmental conditions, using innovative kinetic methodologies and a diversity of ions. The 'moisture-swing' technique captures CO2 at low humidities and releases it at high humidities, enabling carbon removal from virtually anywhere.
A study finds that microplastics are transported out of seawater and into the air through small droplets called 'jet drops' ejected by bursting bubbles. The authors estimate that between 0.02 and 7.4 Mt of plastic is emitted by the world's seas each year, affecting global climate dynamics.
Researchers from SUTD successfully applied reinforcement learning to a video game problem, creating complex movement designs that outperformed top human players. The study's findings have the potential to impact robotics and automation, ushering in a new era of movement design.
The Oregon Death with Dignity Act has been in place since 1997, but a review found significant data gaps, including missing clinical complications and key decision-making information. The study analyzed 25 years of annual reports, revealing a decline in doctor-patient relationships and referrals for psychiatric evaluations.
A mathematical model suggests females infer attractiveness by watching peers' choices, learning to prefer rare traits that distinguish successful males. This learning process helps maintain variation in male traits and female preferences over time.
A new study reveals that language recognition speed varies significantly across the lifespan, peaking in the mid-20s to early-30s and declining in the mid-40s. Despite controlling for hearing ability, researchers found variations in processing speed among older adults, suggesting cognitive processes may be at play.
A team of researchers led by Saptarshi Das is working on developing an all-in-one semiconductor device that can both store data and perform computations. The device uses ferroelectric materials, which can be both stored in and used for computing, offering a potential solution to the limitations of current technology.
Researchers found that antigen testing significantly reduces the probability of cluster occurrence by identifying and isolating infected persons. However, it may not be effective against highly infectious mutant strains like Omicron, highlighting the need for booster vaccination campaigns and other infection control measures.
A study of Atlantic hurricanes found that people with lower socioeconomic status wait significantly longer for power to be restored after outages. The research suggests that investing in energy infrastructure and renewable energy may help mitigate the negative impacts of power outages on vulnerable communities.
Researchers developed a machine learning system to predict polymer miscibility with organic solvents, allowing for efficient recycling of plastics. The model can calculate χ parameters up to 40 times faster than conventional quantum chemistry calculations and has proven accurate in predicting suitable blends.
Nick Burton's research aims to identify bacteria that influence insulin production and signaling, with the goal of finding new therapeutic strategies for Type 2 diabetes. Preliminary results from a small-scale pilot study are promising, suggesting that certain bacteria may play a role in regulating insulin levels.
A Singapore study found that drinking coffee and tea at midlife is associated with reduced likelihood of physical frailty in late life. The study, led by Professor Koh Woon Puay, analyzed data from over 12,000 participants aged 45-74 years old.
A VHIO-led study has identified DPPA3 as a regulator of dormant cancer cells and chemoresistance in colorectal cancer. High levels of DPPA3 are found to predict disease relapse, while HIF1 is proposed as a potential therapeutic target to sensitize CRC cells to chemotherapy.
Researchers at Princeton University demonstrated that ocean bursting bubbles can transport microplastics into the atmosphere, adding to evidence of plastic pollution's oceanic reach. The study projects an annual emission of around 100,000 metric tons of microplastics from the ocean.
Researchers from the University of Tokyo have developed an AI-powered drone system that analyzes young plants to predict their expected growth characteristics. By identifying optimal harvest times, farmers can reduce waste and improve their income by up to 20.4%, while also benefiting consumers and the environment.
A new study by Caroline Hachem-Vermette and Kuljeet Singh analyzed the design and energy characteristics of various neighborhoods to assess their vulnerabilities to power outages. The researchers found that thoughtful design can reduce a neighborhood's energy vulnerability during disruptions, and they recommend modifications to shelter...
Researchers at Northwestern University identified a new evolutionarily conserved RNAi-based form of cell death called Death Induced by Survival gene Elimination (DISE), which targets essential survival genes in cancer cells. This mechanism is ancient and effective against all cancers tested.
A new compound developed at the University of Illinois Chicago potentially offers an alternative to injections for wet age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. The drug targets End Binding-3 and has been shown to reverse damage and promote regenerative processes in animal models.
Holford's research will focus on developing new directions for using cephalopod venoms in drug discovery and exploring their evolutionary dynamics. Her study has broad applications for science, including understanding venom gland biology and the molecular mechanisms behind bioactive compounds.
A new NIH grant will survey healthcare workers caring for people with dementia, gathering data to inform better care and policy. The study aims to understand workforce shortages, payment policies, and regulation, with a focus on direct care workers often overlooked.
A meta-analysis found that CPAP treatment adherence is associated with a lower risk of recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Adherence to CPAP therapy may be a key factor in secondary cardiovascular prevention.
A UK study found that emergency department screening for type 2 diabetes could identify tens of thousands of previously undiagnosed cases every year. The study used the glycated haemoglobin test to screen 1,388 patients, yielding an additional 9% of type 2 diabetes cases and 30% of prediabetes cases.
Research found that women, Black and Asian people, and those from deprived areas are less likely to receive life-saving heart valve replacement in England. Timely intervention occurred in around two-thirds of those from the least deprived areas compared to just over half of those from the most deprived.
A University of Melbourne research team is developing an oral therapeutic to restore the activity of common antibiotics used to treat community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. The project aims to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria and reduce healthcare costs, with potential applications in low- and middle-income countries.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed a new method for DNA detection that is 100 times more sensitive than traditional methods. This breakthrough enables fast and accurate disease diagnosis, reducing wait times for lab processing from days to minutes.
Researchers from The University of Queensland and The Alfred hospital in Melbourne have identified gene variants associated with a higher risk of nodular melanoma. The study found that four genes with rare DNA variants were linked to the aggressive subtype, which accounts for most melanoma deaths.
Studies show that people with metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) have a 50% increased risk of coronary heart disease, despite not exhibiting metabolic complications. This raises questions about the validity of the MHO concept.
Researchers found that administering precursors of Elovanoids improved neurological deficit in an experimental model of ischemic stroke. The study identified a cascade of gene responses and sheds light on potential new therapeutic avenues for treating ischemic strokes.
Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology have successfully tested quantum annealing on a D-Wave 2000Q quantum computer for optimizing continuous-variable functions. The study found that QA can significantly outperform state-of-the-art classical algorithms, especially when the energy barrier is high.
A new AI model integrates imaging and non-imaging patient data for improved diagnostic performance on chest X-rays. The multimodal model outperformed other models for diagnosing up to 25 conditions, showing potential as an aid to clinicians in high-pressure diagnoses.
Researchers developed three new two-photon probes that can visualize organelles in cells, enabling better understanding of cellular functions and tissue imaging. The probes are designed to detect pH levels, viscosity, and ionic species, providing more specific insights into cell viability and treatment responses.
Researchers found that humans can inherit AI biases after interacting with a biased system, leading to a permanent negative impact on human decisions. This effect was observed in three experiments, where participants who were aided by a biased AI system continued to replicate its bias even when unaided.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found a persistent increase in psychotropic medication dispensation among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. The findings highlight the need for integrated pediatric diabetes care and mental health services to detect psychological needs early on.