Using a sensitive mass spectrometry-based secretome approach, researchers have identified hundreds of molecules that are cleaved from the cell surface of astrocytes, providing a unique database of MMP-2/-9 substrates specific to blood-brain barrier formation and maintenance. This discovery sheds light on the molecular processes essenti...
Researchers from Japan have solved a long-standing puzzle of porous soft materials, revealing the importance of elastic heterogeneity in tuning molecular adsorption/desorption properties. The study provides physicochemical insight into the origin of elastic heterogeneity within MOFs, with applications to imparting targeted properties.
Researchers at MUSC developed a noninvasive method of vagus nerve stimulation that accelerates treatment outcomes and improves motor function after stroke. The method, known as MAAVNS, uses timed electrical impulses delivered to the ear during motor rehabilitation, producing similar results as FDA-approved devices in half the time.
Molecular biologists Ruslan Afasizhev and Inna Afasizheva have discovered the architecture of molecular machines involved in RNA editing in a disease-causing parasite. This understanding could potentially help treat African sleeping sickness, which is usually fatal and has limited treatment options.
A randomized controlled trial found that Nurse-Family Partnership improved child language and mental health at age 2, with no increase in child injuries or maternal pregnancies. The study involved 739 participants and their children for 2.5 years, providing new evidence on preventing early adverse childhood experiences.
A new paper-based device combines microfluidics and electrochemical transduction to detect inflammation biomarkers in sputum samples. This compact device can simultaneously measure three biomarkers, including IL-8, TNF-α, and MPO, for early COPD detection.
Two vaccines to protect against RSV are now available for those over age 60, providing high levels of protections against the virus. The vaccines were developed by Glaxo SmithKline and Pfizer and have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science successfully synthesized tanzawaic acid B in large amounts, paving the way for new antibiotic development. The breakthrough method could lead to creation of various compounds for pharmaceuticals, including new antibiotic candidates.
Researchers at the University of South Australia have discovered three new biomarkers for prostate cancer that can accurately visualize and grade the disease. The breakthrough technology will enable clinicians to determine which patients require immediate treatment, potentially saving thousands of lives annually.
A study by Kyoto University found that Daphnia's phenotypic plasticity is strongly related to its body size and the type of predator. Medium-sized Daphnia are more vulnerable to predation by both Chaoborus larvae and fish, which prefer larger prey.
A recent study published in Neurology suggests that starting treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) soon after the first signs of the disease may lead to a lower risk of disability later. Researchers found that patients who received treatment within six months of symptom onset had a significantly lower risk of developing severe disabili...
Researchers at NUS developed a new photodynamic therapy that selectively kills breast cancer cells without damaging surrounding tissues. The treatment uses a biocompatible silicone implant loaded with nanoparticles activated by near-infrared light, reducing the risk of toxicity and improving tumour control.
A study of 2,226 US participants found significant racial differences in post-retirement cognitive decline. White men experienced the most pronounced decline, whereas Black women showed minimal loss. College attendance was linked to greater cognitive decline after retirement.
Using ALMA, astronomers have found evidence of a cloud of debris that might be the building blocks of a new planet or the remnants of one already formed. This discovery would confirm the existence of Trojan planets outside our Solar System, which are rocky bodies sharing the same orbit as a planet.
A team of researchers at the University of Washington has discovered a way to imbue bulk graphite with physical properties similar to those of graphene, a single-layer sheet. This breakthrough could unlock new approaches for studying unusual and exotic states of matter and bring them into everyday life.
Researchers found that breast cancer survivors experience a faster rate of biological aging, with higher rates of age-related diseases and physical cognitive decline. Radiation therapy was found to be particularly impactful on aging rates, contributing to the conversation on how to best treat and care for breast cancer survivors.
Researchers found a clear pattern of suicidality related to the academic calendar, with peaks in April and October, but a decline during COVID-19 school closures. The study suggests interventions during peak months could help protect against seasonal increases in suicidality, especially for adolescent females.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a specific group of neurons that become active when mice correct mistakes during spatial navigation. The findings bring scientists closer to understanding how navigation works and raise new questions about the role of these cells in other brain regions.
UCSB researchers develop platform to interpret cellular 'stress memory landscape', predicting future reaction to stressors. The study opens window into various cellular stress-related conditions, including aging, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
The electrocaloric effect (ECE) offers a cleaner and high-efficiency way of cooling without greenhouse gas emissions. By leveraging ferroelectric materials, researchers can achieve low electric fields and scalable compressor-free systems.
Researchers have developed novel photocatalysts using layered metal-organic frameworks that exhibit improved charge separation properties. These materials are able to efficiently extract charges without structural defects, enabling record values in photocatalytic hydrogen production under visible light.
Researchers discovered a close relationship between nuclear and electron dynamics, challenging the Born-Oppenheimer approximation. This breakthrough could lead to new ways to control and exploit molecular properties for solar energy conversion, quantum information science, and more.
A Michigan Medicine study finds that patients who participate in cardiac rehabilitation have a decreased risk of death years after surgery. The greatest reduction in mortality was found in patients who completed 36 or more sessions, highlighting the need for targeted efforts to improve participation and adherence.
A study found that SARS-CoV-2 infects liver cells, leading to hyperglycemia and a severe form of COVID-19. Researchers discovered the mechanism used by the virus to impair glucose metabolism, pointing to potential strategies for treating patients.
Carbon-based materials have been found to be more reactive with alcohol-functionalized oxygens, challenging traditional catalysis chemistry. The researchers' study showed a correlation between the amount and type of oxygen present and performance, including the long-range effects of aromatic rings.
Astronomers have discovered a white dwarf star with drastically different faces, composed of hydrogen on one side and helium on the other. The team believes magnetic fields may be responsible for the asymmetric sides, allowing a 'hydrogen ocean' to form where the fields are strongest.
Researchers have identified a new therapeutic target for glioblastoma brain cancer by finding that the 'don't eat me!' signal sent by cancer cells can be blocked using antibodies. This breakthrough suggests that existing immunotherapies may be effective against glioblastomas if the receivers on macrophages are switched off.
A systematic review of 55 studies finds no consistently beneficial impacts of private equity ownership on healthcare, confirming the need for increased research and regulation. Private equity firms' ownership is associated with harmful impacts on costs, quality, and health outcomes.
Researchers analyzed urinary and exosome proteomes in patients with type 2 diabetes to identify novel biomarkers for diabetic kidney disease. The study found proteins involved in glycolytic, ubiquitination, lipid transport, and carbohydrate metabolic processes had altered expression patterns during DKD progression.
Researchers developed a cost-effective method using LEGO robots to purify complex DNA structures. The technique, called rate-zonal centrifugation, utilizes the LEGO kit's gradient-mixing capabilities to separate and isolate individual components of the nanostructures.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that NSAIDs exacerbate C. difficile infections by disrupting epithelial cell mitochondria, sensiting them to toxins. The study shows that NSAIDs and C. difficile toxins work synergistically to increase virulence, leading to increased disease severity and mortality.
Researchers at the Max Delbrück Center have identified a potential new biomarker for Alzheimer's disease, protein Arl8b. The study found that patients with Alzheimer's have significantly more Arl8b in their cerebrospinal fluid than healthy controls.
Researchers at Tsinghua University develop highly stretchable/compressible piezoelectric composite with giant piezoelectric coefficient of 250 picometers per volt. The composite exhibits high electromechanical coupling factor and cyclic stability under compression strain, opening up applications in flexible smart electronics.
Researchers found melatonin reduces chilling injury symptoms and membrane leakage in cold-stored fruits and vegetables, maintaining freshness. Melatonin is a safe alternative to hazardous chemical treatments without adverse effects on consumer health.
A study found that women STEM instructors are more likely than men to disclose their own stigmatized identities to undergraduates, such as depression or low-income backgrounds. This may be due to a desire to act as positive role models in an often unwelcoming environment.
A new study has created the largest single-cell atlas of the human kidney, mapping healthy and diseased cell states across over 90 patients. The atlas reveals that certain cell types in the kidney get stuck in a 'maladaptive repair state,' leading to disease progression and irreversible reduction of kidney functions.
The MAGUS method employs machine learning to accelerate structure predictions, while graph theory reduces the search space. By utilizing a surrogate force field, MAGUS decreases self-consistent calculations by approximately two orders of magnitude.
A research team sheds light on Dmc1 filament assembly mechanisms using single-molecule experiments. Swi5-Sfr1 and Hop2-Mnd1 proteins regulate Dmc1 assembly through distinct mechanisms, promoting efficient strand exchange during homologous recombination.
Researchers developed a new high-throughput approach to evaluate protein folding stability, identifying factors contributing to stability and informing predictive models. The cDNA display proteolysis method permits large-scale analysis of nearly 900,000 proteins, shedding light on diseases involving misfolded proteins.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that Black Americans are more likely to trust videos about prostate cancer presented by a Black doctor. The study, led by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, involved over 2,900 participants and showed that racial diversity among healthcare providers is crucial for improving ...
Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a novel synthesis method for imine-based COFs, eliminating the need for long reaction times, high temperatures, and Lewis acid catalysts. The method uses an electrogenerated acid as a catalyst, enabling direct fixation of COF films onto electrodes.
Researchers found significant relationships between the cows' genetic merit and their calves' performance. The genomic prediction tool allowed farmers to make informed decisions that enhance sustainable profitability.
A nationwide NIH-funded team created the most comprehensive atlas of human kidney cells, enabling comparisons between healthy and injured kidney cells. The atlas will help researchers understand the progression of kidney disease and identify new treatments for chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury.
Research in rats suggests that loss of immune cells late in gestation may factor into the onset of maternal behavior. Depletion of microglia, a type of immune cell, sped up care for rat newborns in non-mom female rats.
A new study from Israel highlights the complexity of accessing passported benefits, which can be challenging due to administrative burdens. The research identifies five key dimensions shaping these benefits, including automation, legal status, and decentralization, emphasizing the need for simplification and automation to improve access.
Researchers from CHOP and Penn found that cancer patients who continued to smoke after diagnosis were more likely to receive tobacco treatment when nudges were directed at clinicians through electronic health records. This study strengthens the case for using behavioral economics to improve outcomes for cancer patients.
A new study published in Aging (Albany NY) suggests that prior training can rescue cognitive decline in aging by improving task performance and strengthening memory processes. The research, conducted on rats, found that prior training enhanced short-term and intermediate memory, while also enabling encoding-boosted long-term memory.
A new study reveals that cancer cells reprogram normal mesothelial cells into cancer-associated mesothelial cells through the AMH axis, promoting tumor growth and immune evasion. Disrupting this signal slows tumor growth and helps the immune system overcome some of its defenses.
A new design for bridge array generators reduces unintended coupling capacitance between connected panels, allowing for higher peak power output of up to 200 watts per square meter. This breakthrough enables large-area raindrop energy harvesting with improved performance and reduced power loss.
An international team of astronomers has discovered a new type of stellar object that challenges our understanding of the physics of neutron stars. The newly discovered object, named GPM J1839−10, emits radio waves every 22 minutes, making it the longest period magnetar ever detected.
Early humans demonstrated advanced planning and knowledge of wood properties to create aerodynamic and ergonomic tools, such as double-pointed wooden throwing sticks. These findings suggest the use of throwing sticks could have enabled group hunts and involved the entire community, including children.
A new study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that women diagnosed and treated for breast cancer have increased biological aging compared to those who remain free of breast cancer. Radiation therapy showed the strongest association with faster biological aging, while surgery had no effect.
Researchers from Sandia National Laboratories have discovered that metals can heal themselves by fusing back together microscopic cracks without human intervention. This breakthrough could lead to the development of self-healing machines and structures, reducing wear and tear damage and making them safer and longer-lasting.
The robot uses two front limbs mimicking turtle hatchlings' oversized flippers to detect obstacles and navigate through sand. It has the potential to inspect grain silos, measure soil contaminants, and aid in search and rescue operations.
This study found that better sleep architecture and the absence of obstructive sleep apnea were associated with improved global cognition over a five-year follow-up. The findings suggest that interventions to improve sleep may be crucial for maintaining cognitive function in adults.
A scorpionfish protein has been found to effectively kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria from patients with cystic fibrosis, escaping an immune response that renders the human version of the protein ineffective. This discovery may provide new therapeutic options for treating chronic bacterial infections in people with cystic fibrosis.
A study by the University of Illinois examines how family forest landowners in Maine and New Hampshire approach invasive species management. The researchers found that landowners prefer mechanical control methods, which are more expensive but less effective than chemical control, due to strong neighborhood effects. This has implication...
Researchers from Osaka University found that RNase treatments can either enhance or weaken immune activation in systemic autoimmune diseases. The study suggests that the composition of immune complexes plays a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of RNase treatment.
An international team of astronomers used VERA to observe six nearby active NLS1 galaxies, uncovering clues about how rapidly growing massive black holes form and grow. The study revealed significantly greater Faraday rotation compared to older black holes, indicating abundant gas in the nuclear regions.
Researchers found that sleep patterns vary significantly across cultures and geographical locations. The study used commercially available smartwatches to collect data from over 52 million individuals in 11 countries, revealing discrepancies between self-reported data and digital logs.