A study by George Mason University researchers found endocrine-disrupting chemicals in menstrual products, including phthalates and parabens. The review of 15 papers revealed a lack of research on newer products like menstrual cups and discs, highlighting the need for further investigation into their potential health impacts.
A new program, Educational Fellows, trains medical students in teaching skills through near-peer interprofessional learning with PA students. The curriculum enhances patient education and communication, leading to improved patient outcomes.
A technical expert panel provides guiding principles to avoid algorithmic bias in healthcare, aiming to reduce healthcare disparities and promote health equity. The principles aim to identify biases before implementation and mitigate their impact through conscious decisions by developers, users, and regulators.
A new study found that increased childhood sedentary time significantly increases cholesterol levels in young adulthood. However, light physical activity (LPA) has been shown to completely reverse this effect, while moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) may also reduce cholesterol levels but with diminished impact due to body f...
A recent UMD study reveals that cross-pollination significantly improves the quality and quantity of soybean pods, with open-pollinated flowers producing more grade-A beans. The research also suggests that a greater biodiversity near fields can lead to increased yields by attracting beneficial pollinators.
Researchers discovered that chiral phonons, which exhibit circular motion, interact differently than linear phonons and have a larger magnetic moment in topological materials. This finding enhances thermal conductivity and opens new possibilities for advanced devices and applications.
A NSF-funded project, MABLE, is developing a digital app using crowdsensing, AI, and robotics to empower individuals with responsive maps and turn-by-turn instructions. The app aims to improve accessibility and navigation for persons with visual or mobility impairments, such as those with low vision and wheelchair users.
The study found that bodega owners and customers face challenges such as high prices for fresh produce, lack of digital literacy, and mistrust of online ordering. Despite these obstacles, researchers believe that implementing online grocery shopping in bodegas can greatly benefit communities by increasing access to healthy food options.
The study reveals ballistic transport of electrons in graphene, enabling fast speed and low energy consumption. By mapping the 'reflectance' of the sample with ultrafast lasers, researchers observed electrons moving ballistically in real time.
A team of MIT researchers has created a computational model that can calculate the structures of transition states in chemical reactions much more quickly than traditional methods. The new model uses machine learning and can generate accurate predictions for thousands of reactions, enabling chemists to design new catalysts and fuels.
Researchers have solved the molecular structure of a complete tailed virus with a flexible tail at unprecedented detail. This discovery has significant implications for phage therapies and the development of alternative treatments to antibiotics.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown endogenous acid sensor in plant cells that responds to changes in pH levels. The acid sensor triggers the release of calcium ions from an endoplasmic reticulum, which activates cellular responses to external stimuli such as infections or drought.
Researchers propose that early Americans used a 'sea ice highway' to migrate into North America along the Pacific coastline, traveling on winter sea ice between 24,500-22,000 years ago and 16,400-14,800 years ago. This theory provides a new framework for understanding human migration without a land bridge or easy ocean travel.
A study of 57,000 adults reveals racial disparities in access to living donor kidney transplants, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. The findings emphasize the importance of addressing systemic inequalities in transplant programs and centers.
A new study suggests that US adults consume almost a quarter of their daily calories in snacks, often more than they do at breakfast, yet these snacks offer little nutritional value. Researchers analyzed data from over 20,000 people and found that snacks accounted for between 19.5% to 22.4% of total energy intake.
Researchers have developed a mineral coating that maintains mRNA activity for up to six months at room temperature. This breakthrough enables the storage of mRNA therapeutics like COVID-19 vaccines on medical shelves, bridging the gap between rich and poor communities.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals the Third Pole is vulnerable to glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) due to climate change, with 1,499 lakes at high risk. The research estimates that 190,000 lives are directly exposed to GLOF paths and $55 billion worth of infrastructure is threatened.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine found lipid-signaling microdomains in condensates, previously thought to function primarily in cell membranes. These discoveries may lead to a better understanding of neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and Alzheimer's disease.
Research suggests that timing food intake earlier in the day can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Eating breakfast within an hour of waking and finishing dinner before 8 pm may help reduce this risk, with longer night-time fasting periods also associated with lower cerebrovascular disease rates.
A recent study published in NeuroImage found that physically active individuals experienced less decline in entorhinal cortex thickness over a seven-year period. Cognitive reserve is also boosted through regular mental stimulation, suggesting that brains can be trained like muscles to counteract age-related decline.
A study by the University of Exeter and the Bat Conservation Trust found that Britain's tree felling for colonial shipbuilding led to a significant decline in Western barbastelle bat populations. The study used DNA analysis to discover a historical decline, which coincided with widespread tree-felling from about 500 years ago.
A randomized controlled trial at USC found that participants receiving $750/month experienced significant reductions in homelessness, decreasing from 30% to under 12%. The study also highlights the importance of relational poverty and social support in addressing homelessness.
A new study suggests that stronger responses from immune cells called CD8+ T cells may be key to increasing HIV immunity. Future HIV vaccine candidates may benefit from additional doses or longer persistence in the body to further stimulate the immune system.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona discover iron accumulation as a driver of pathological senescence and fibrosis, highlighting its role in various fibrotic disorders. The study identifies potential methods for non-invasive assessment and treatment of fibrotic diseases via MRI and chemical compounds.
Researchers from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History analyzed a 160-year-old woolly dog pelt to determine its genetic makeup. The study found that woolly dogs diverged from other breeds up to 5,000 years ago and were genetically similar to pre-colonial dogs from Newfoundland and British Columbia.
A recent study published in Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences found that AI technology can accurately identify prehistoric and modern African antelopes, with an accuracy rate of over 90% compared to humans. This breakthrough sheds light on ancient ecosystems and their impact on human evolution.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have identified a welding technique that can join composite metal foam components without impairing their properties. The new method uses induction welding, which penetrates deeply into the material and insulates it against heat.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine reveals that people hospitalized for seasonal influenza face increased risks of long-term health effects, including death, hospital readmission, and organ system problems. Long flu is more debilitating than initially thought, with patients experiencing health loss similar to tho...
Researchers from the University of Tokyo have developed a new way to charge quantum batteries using optical apparatuses and the phenomenon of indefinite causal order. This approach enables significant gains in energy storage and thermal efficiency, even with lower power chargers.
A new relationship app, developed by a University of Rochester psychologist, has been shown to improve romantic relationships. The app sends daily prompts that encourage meaningful conversations, enhancing awareness and promoting moments of connection among couples.
Researchers have identified a population of massive stars stripped of their hydrogen envelopes by their companions in binary systems. These hot helium stars are believed to be the origins of hydrogen-poor core-collapse supernovae and neutron star mergers, shedding new light on a long-theorized phenomenon.
Researchers have discovered that brain cells sense continuous motion caused by everyday bodily functions, leading to friction and inflammation around implanted devices. Anti-inflammation approaches, such as coating implants with soft gels, could help prevent damage and increase device lifespan.
Researchers found a link between boulder size and river steepness, revealing how rock properties influence mountain shape change. The study used drones to collect hundreds of thousands of measurements along 18 miles of rivers in Taiwan.
A new study found that SNAP participants in low-income households face difficulties in meeting the Dietary Guidelines for Americans' nutritional values. Despite using optimization methods to maximize nutrition within their budget, researchers discovered that trade-offs must be made to stretch funds, often resulting in increased sodium ...
A novel low-cost UAV platform for electrical transmission line inspection has been developed, utilizing a GNSS receiver, RGB camera, and mm wave radar. The system enables small drones to inspect transmission lines at close range, addressing challenges such as magnetic field interference and harsh environments.
Research at University of Oxford found that diverse gut bacteria communities can block the growth of harmful pathogens, with certain species playing a crucial role. The communities work by consuming nutrients needed by the pathogen, and increasing diversity boosts protection.
Researchers at Kobe University developed a new model of mice with humanized immune systems to test anti-cancer drugs targeting the immune system. The study showed that a therapy blindfolding immune cells to self-recognition can activate them to attack tumor cells, promoting an effective cancer response.
Researchers at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology have developed a new gene therapy that significantly reduces seizures in mice with focal cortical dysplasia. The treatment, which involves the overexpression of a potassium channel, has shown an average reduction of 87% in seizures without affecting the mouse's memory or behavior.
A new study by York University's Faculty of Health found that Christians are more willing to take 'morally neutral' risks when thinking about God as a benevolent protector. The study, led by Cindel White, confirms the theoretical link between faith and risk-taking, suggesting a perceived safety net.
Researchers used USGS source modeling and InSAR satellite data to analyze the 6.8 Al Haouz earthquake in Morocco, finding a compact source with slip between 15-35 km deep, deeper than expected for earthquakes in this region.
A study by researchers at the Medical University of Vienna found that natural killer cells may play a crucial role in protecting against multiple sclerosis (MS) disease. The investigation revealed that strong EBV-specific and autoreactive immune responses combined with poor autoimmunity control increase MS risk.
Researchers have identified over 2.4 million hectares of land as critical stopover hotspots for migratory songbirds in the eastern United States, primarily consisting of deciduous forests. Protecting these sites is essential to safeguarding bird populations, which have plummeted by a quarter since 1970 due to habitat loss and climate c...
Researchers found that aging urinary tracts experience cellular level changes favoring UTI establishment and recurrence. D-mannose supplementation restores autophagy and mitigates ROS, suggesting a potential treatment for age-related UTI dysfunction.
Researchers developed a new approach to improve particle-reinforced rubber's fatigue threshold by increasing polymer chain length and entanglement density. This multiscale stress deconcentration method increases the material's resistance to crack growth under repeated stretching, reducing pollution from shed rubber particles.
A new statistical method developed by the DFG research group BETA-FOR can analyze the contributions of biodiversity between local ecosystems to the multifunctionality of entire landscapes. The study breaks down multifunctionality into two components, relating them to local biodiversity and habitat diversity.
A randomized trial found that consuming tree nuts as snacks reduced waist circumference, improved lipid biomarkers, and decreased insulin levels in young adults. Daily tree nut consumption was associated with a 42% reduction in metabolic syndrome risk in males and a 67% reduction in females.
Researchers have elucidated the metabolic pathways of Halopseudomonas bacteria that break down plastic coatings. The study shows the bacteria can rapidly degrade polyester polyurethanes, making it a promising solution to global waste problems.
A team of international researchers has reported the first high-resolution images and structural details of the human genetic element LINE-1, which is implicated in various diseases. The study provides a target for potential new treatments, particularly for cancer, autoimmune disorders, neurodegeneration, and even aging.
Researchers have developed a novel path to convert nitrate to valuable ammonia using metal-added polyoxometalate as the catalyst. The electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction shows high-efficiency catalytic nitrogen reduction to ammonia.
A large study found that sleep disturbances in preschool-aged children are strongly associated with both resolved and new cases of emotional and behavioral difficulties. Routine screening and treatment of sleep issues may help improve psychosocial well-being in this population.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that a group of exceptionally gifted dogs, known as Gifted Word Learners (GWLs), share common characteristics. The researchers identified 41 dogs from various breeds and countries with the ability to learn hundreds of toy names, highlighting their unique talent for language acquisition.
Researchers at Singapore University of Technology and Design propose a new unifying framework to identify low-risk materials for further development. The team screened 3,000 entries in the materials database to find 25 candidate materials that exhibit high performance and are sustainable at the material level.
The Canadian Cardiovascular Society has updated its guidelines to no longer recommend routine daily aspirin use for primary prevention of heart attacks or death. However, daily aspirin may be considered for people with high risk factors for heart attack, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and smoking. The new guidelines emphasize the ...
Researchers at Oregon State University have sequenced the chia genome, identifying genes associated with improving nutrition and human health. The study found 29 genes involved in polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis and 93 genes that aid gel-forming properties of chia seeds.
A 1916 study by Eugene Clyde La Rue estimated the Colorado River discharged just 15 million acre-feet of water, but was ignored in favor of a higher estimate. Today, the river's actual flow is around 13 million acre-feet per year, prompting calls for improved estimates and Indigenous involvement in managing the water.
Researchers have discovered key mechanisms by which the host immune system blocks viral infection in the cell's nucleus, including the role of signaling proteins called interferons and host protein IFI16. These findings could lead to new treatments for herpesviruses and other nuclear DNA viruses.
A new study published in the Journal of Health Communication found that news sites, especially UK and US sources, continue to use stigmatizing images when reporting on obesity. The research highlights the need for news media to be mindful of the images included in health news articles.
Scientists at Paul Scherrer Institute achieve breakthrough in detecting developing tumors at an early stage and monitoring therapy success. They used artificial intelligence to analyze blood cell chromatin, distinguishing between healthy and sick cells with high accuracy, and identifying tumor types with over 85% precision.
A multidisciplinary study has elucidated the structure of the machinery responsible for writing much of our 'dark genome', a 98% unknown biological function. This discovery may lead to novel treatments for autoimmune diseases, cancer and neurodegeneration.
Researchers at IISc create a novel technique to coat droplets in composite shells containing oil-loving and hydrophobic particles. This method offers flexible shell thickness control over a wide range, enabling the encapsulation of droplets with different sizes.