The proportion of smokers buying duty-free tobacco rose from 5% to 16% between 2019 and 2022, but black market sales stayed relatively constant. This trend was more noticeable among higher social grades, where cheaper products were a key factor in smoking cessation attempts.
Researchers have developed a new study showing that targeted electrical stimulation in patients with traumatic brain injury improved memory recall by 19%. The technology delivers the right stimulation at the right time, informed by the wiring of the individual's brain and that individual's successful memory retrieval.
Research at Duke-NUS Medical School suggests that a specific mechanism involving the omega-3 transporter protein Mfsd2a prevents the liver from storing excess fat, which could lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Dietary supplements containing this lipid may help prevent the condition.
A University of Ottawa study reveals that a diverse brain's ecosystem is key to maintaining normal function while responding to changes. This concept is inspired by Charles Darwin's idea that biodiversity is crucial for survival, suggesting cell-to-cell diversity helps prevent failures in brain circuits.
Gang Bao's lab receives a 4-year, $2.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to investigate the safety and efficacy of using gene editing treatments like CRISPR-Cas9 to treat sickle cell disease. The team aims to understand the mechanisms behind large gene modifications and their biological consequences.
Researchers created a digital replica of patients' hearts to inform arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) diagnosis and treatment. The 'genotype-specific digital-twin' strategy could tailor therapies based on individual genetics, improving precision healthcare in other diseases.
Researchers discovered that exposing seedlings to ethylene increases size and vigor, leading to longer roots, higher density of lateral roots, and increased aerial tissue fresh weight. The findings suggest that ethylene treatments can improve yields without sacrificing stress tolerance.
Scientists have identified a region of the brain where sustained visual images are retained during perception. This finding may help doctors determine whether coma patients are still aware of their surroundings and could lead to treatments for disorders of consciousness.
A novel, easy-to-synthesize contrast agent platform has been developed for photoacoustic imaging, significantly increasing the depth and precision of imaging. This technology also limits safety risks and enhances image quality, targeting specific tissues and organs with higher accuracy.
Scientists have deciphered the Arctic flora's evolution over time, discovering its roots date back to the Early Late Miocene. The study reveals a complex dispersal corridor between the Arctic and western North America, with both immigration and in situ speciation contributing to biodiversity.
A recent study found that warming in Northern ecosystems leads to a massive loss of carbon in the soil, with up to 40% released into the atmosphere within years after warming. The research team also discovered that plant productivity becomes nitrogen limited under warming conditions, reducing the ecosystem's ability to store carbon.
A team of researchers used genetic and isotopic analyses to study jaguar scat in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Preserve, revealing habitat needs and conservation insights. The study demonstrates a novel approach to surveying wildlife without direct interaction.
Research found that people with bipolar disorder are 6 times more likely to die from external causes and twice as likely to die from physical illness. Alcohol is a major contributing factor to the increased risk of death from somatic causes.
A groundbreaking study has uncovered potential treatments for inflammatory disorders by targeting specific receptors involved in the immune response. Researchers created mimetic peptides that successfully reduced inflammation in human immune cells and provided significant protection against toxic shock in mice.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a dry battery manufacturing process that eliminates toxic solvents and improves durability. The new method enables higher energy density and better long-term cyclability, paving the way for cleaner, more affordable high-energy EV batteries.
Researchers report a case of a 15-year-old boy with recurrent intrathoracic synovial sarcoma who achieved partial response with BRAF inhibitor Vemurafenib treatment. The study highlights the importance of routine next-generation sequencing to drive treatment choice and investigate BRAF mutations in SS tumors.
Scientists have developed an AI-guided workflow to efficiently discover novel thermal insulators. By approximating target properties and applying machine learning methods, they identified over 50 strongly thermally insulating materials, reducing the number of calculations needed by over two orders of magnitude.
Scientists have developed a new supercapacitor with a carbon nano-onion core structure, achieving the highest level of energy storage ever recorded. This breakthrough could lead to significantly lighter and faster-charging energy storage devices.
Researchers will explore characteristics of misplaced calcifications in eyes and brains, and their roles in AMD and AD. The team aims to examine calcifications at multiple levels, from atomic structures to aggregated morphologies, and their accumulation in cells and animals.
A novel microfluidic sweat lactate sensor has been developed to measure sweat lactate levels continuously during exercise without interruptions from air bubbles. The device uses a larger-than-usual sweat reservoir to trap air bubbles, preventing them from contacting the sensors' electrodes.
Two species of hairworms are missing genes responsible for producing cilia, a feature present in all other known animals. This loss likely occurred early in the evolution of the group and may impact their parasitic behavior, but its exact effects remain unclear.
A study analyzing 89,000 individuals found that engaging in intense physical activity over a short period (weekend warrior pattern) lowers the risk of atrial fibrillation, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. This type of activity was associated with similar lower risks compared to evenly distributed physical activity.
A protein called ATSF-1 controls a fine balance between new mitochondria creation and damaged mitochondria repair, promoting cellular health and healthy ageing. This discovery could have exciting implications for preventing mitochondrial damage and improving quality of life.
Conventional psychotherapeutic approaches for women with late-stage gynaecological cancers take too long and require too much stamina. Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy has shown promise in treating anxiety, depression, and end-of-life distress with rapid and sustained effects.
Researchers at NREL have developed bifacial perovskite solar cells that capture both direct and reflected sunlight, resulting in efficiencies of up to 23% on the front side and 91-93% on the back. This could lead to higher energy yields and lower costs over time.
A University of Queensland-led survey found non-native English speakers need up to twice as much time to conduct scientific activities, with papers rejected two-and-a-half times more. The study highlights the challenges faced by non-native English speakers in academia, which can lead to stagnated careers and a loss of potential contrib...
A large new study by Kaiser Permanente found no significant differences in health outcomes between pregnant patients receiving in-person or multimodal (virtual + in-office) prenatal care. Rates of complications like preeclampsia, severe maternal morbidity, and NICU admissions remained steady across time periods.
A recent study analyzing camera trap images found six wildlife species, including coyote and gray fox, to be remarkably resistant to the Mendocino Complex Fire's impacts. Small patches of tree cover spared by the fire provided a refuge for these animals, allowing them to recover and even spread back into burned areas.
The program found 1,695 persons in Indiana with sickle cell disease, with a median age of 21 and 87% Black. The data will inform clinical care, identify gaps in access to care, and guide lawmakers.
A study by Technical University of Munich (TUM) has identified numerous previously undetected methane sources in Hamburg, including leaking gas pipelines and incomplete combustion. The researchers used mobile measurements and sensor networks to detect unknown emissions and quantify their impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
A team of researchers at Texas A&M University is developing a new method for understanding metal behavior under extreme conditions using metal cutting, a traditional manufacturing tool. The process involves shearing or deforming the metal to extreme levels under high rates and can provide fundamental information on material strength an...
Career civil servants sought to comply with Trump administration, but faced toxic leadership and limited room for dissent. They searched for ways to uphold multiple commitments while avoiding risk of retribution or violating professional norms.
Researchers at West Virginia University are developing a hydrogen flexible boiler to decarbonize the food and beverage industry. The technology, proposed by Hailin Li, will supply thermal energy by burning clean fuel rather than traditional fossil fuels.
Researchers from Osaka University identified ten blood proteins associated with mortality in severe burns, including HBA1, TTR, and SERPINF2. These proteins may serve as targets for developing new treatment methods for burns, offering a promising direction for future research.
Researchers from TIFRH demonstrate a lithium ion battery that can be charged using light, improving upon previous designs. The new battery uses a hybrid electrode assembly and solid electrolytes for safer and more efficient charging.
Researchers clarify how microorganisms spread globally through atmospheric dispersal, highlighting mechanisms and key areas of concern. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing this phenomenon to minimize disease spread and preserve ecosystem health.
Researchers from Osaka University developed a fluorescent sensor to visualize Pcdh interactions in live neurons, allowing for the first time to observe dissociation of these interactions. This technique has potential applications in understanding brain disorders such as autism and epilepsy.
A new study from UTHealth Houston found that women with large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke are less likely to be routed to comprehensive stroke centers compared to men. Despite having worse stroke symptoms and living within comparable distances, women were approximately 9% less likely to be routed to these centers.
A study finds that carbon pricing policies will harm the elderly, particularly those on fixed incomes, by increasing the cost of heating and cooling. The authors propose targeted social protection schemes to buffer the impacts on the elderly as the world works to mitigate climate change.
A study in South African households found no association between frequency/duration of close contact and COVID-19 transmission. Airborne transmission, particularly in poorly ventilated environments, may play a larger role in spreading the virus.
The study identifies barriers to cancer treatment, including high drug costs and limited diagnostic infrastructure. It suggests strengthening the oncology workforce and training them on precision therapies to address this shortage.
Recent discoveries on biomolecular condensates in plants reveal their potential to regulate transcriptional machineries and cellular processes. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing innovative solutions to improve crop resilience and address climate change.
Researchers R. Christian Jones and Benoit Van Aken are collecting water samples in six locations in Fairfax City to analyze dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and other key factors. The project aims to provide a long-term snapshot of the city's stream health.
Researchers in China developed a new response theory to investigate light-matter interactions in semiconductor quantum dots-strongly coupled microwave photons. The new theory successfully simulated and interpreted signals in experiments on periodically driven QD-cavity hybrid systems.
Researchers at Lund University have developed a spinal fluid test to detect Lewy body disease before symptoms emerge. The study found that nearly ten percent of individuals without initial cognitive or motor difficulties had Lewy bodies in their brains, highlighting the potential for early detection and treatment.
Researchers at the University of Alabama created a detailed assessment of vulnerability to natural hazards across the continental US. The study found significant differences in vulnerability between neighboring blocks and identified top 10 states with high vulnerability rates, including Minnesota and Ohio.
The study evaluates recent research on artificial intelligence-generated molecular structures from the perspective of medicinal chemists, recommending guidelines for assessing novelty and validity. Insilico Medicine's recommendations aim to improve the process of generating and evaluating novel AI-generated drugs.
The digitization of Johanna Bonne-Wepster's field notes has filled significant gaps in mosquito research and tropical medicine. The collection contains valuable information on vector-borne diseases and their spread, which can inform current public health issues and future disease modeling.
A new geometric deep learning model called GFCN has been developed to detect stroke lesions in brain imaging scans. The model leverages rich geometric information to segment brain tissue and achieves higher segmentation performance than other neural network architectures.
Researchers developed a convolutional neural network to identify structures in cryo-X-Ray-microscopy data, achieving high accuracy within minutes. The AI-based analysis method enables faster evaluation of 3D X-ray data sets and has potential applications in studying cell responses to environmental influences.
The study identifies 1,074 semi-extractable RNAs potentially involved in phase-separated membraneless organelles. These RNAs are enriched in repressed heterochromatin regions and act as hubs for RNA-RNA interactions.
Researchers at Texas Tech University and Nanjing University have developed a new method for controlling chirality in asymmetric catalysis using chiral aggregates. This method, called aggregation-induced catalysis (AIC), uses the aggregation of chiral auxiliary raw materials or catalysts to achieve controlled chirality in reactions. The...
A new study reveals that breast milk contains a unique set of antibodies passed from mom to baby, which can vary significantly between mothers. This variability may explain why some infants develop life-threatening diseases like NEC, while others do not.
Researchers used a new method to study PFAS's impact on immune cells, finding that they significantly reduced T-cell activity and impaired the function of certain immune cells. This could lead to increased susceptibility to infections and reduced antibody production after vaccinations.
A clinical trial found that hydroxyapatite toothpaste is equally effective in preventing cavities as fluoride toothpaste. The study involved 189 adults who used either hydroxyapatite or fluoride toothpaste for 18 months, with no significant difference in efficacy between the two groups.
Researchers propose employing freshwater delivery techniques from inland wetlands to mitigate coastal salinification. Alternative water sources like treated effluent and stormwater may support riparian ecosystems in urban settings. Techniques can help restore function and resilience in the face of climate change.
Researchers at Indiana University have identified a new method to reverse the effects of fentanyl, which is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Cannabidiol, or CBD, was found to behave as a negative allosteric modulator at the binding site, successfully reversing fentanyl effects in in vitro tests.
Researchers found that individuals with heroin use disorder exhibited a bias towards processing drug cues, while healthy controls showed the opposite pattern. This suggests that efforts to downregulate responses to drug cues may come at the cost of amplifying responses to natural rewards.
A study found that Japanese beetles are likely to thrive in southeastern Washington and could spread throughout the region from Yakima to the Tri-Cities and north past Moses Lake. The beetles' potential dispersion is influenced by factors such as human activity and suitable habitat.
A Nagoya University research team discovered two distinct thermosensory pathways in the brain that transmit temperature information to different areas of the forebrain. Blocking one pathway was found to impair a rat's ability to avoid heat, while blocking another impaired its ability to avoid cold.