A national study published in Sleep Health found that screen habits linked to better sleep include keeping devices out of the bedroom and avoiding screens before bedtime. The study analyzed data from 10,280 preteens aged 10-14 and found that 15.5% reported trouble falling or staying asleep in the past two weeks.
Scientists developed a new method to manipulate light using non-Hermitian theory, enabling unidirectional control of surface plasmon polaritons. This breakthrough could lead to improved quantum sensors and applications in disease diagnosis and atmospheric gas detection.
Researchers discovered a genetic variant protecting against Alzheimer's disease alters levels of proteins and peptides linked to amyloid-beta metabolism. The APP A673T variant demonstrates effectiveness in shifting APP processing from beta-amyloidogenic to non-amyloidogenic pathways, offering a new feasible strategy for AD prevention.
Immunoglobin G and neutralizing antibody titer levels associated with protection against Omicron variant infection and symptomatic disease in vaccinated health care workers. A study of 2,300 healthcare workers found higher antibody levels reduced the risk of infection and disease.
Researchers from NTT and OIST successfully conducted the world's first simultaneous marine and atmospheric measurements directly beneath a violent, Category 5 typhoon in the North-West Pacific. The study aimed to improve typhoon prediction accuracy by understanding the mechanisms of interaction between the atmosphere and ocean using ob...
The COVID-19 pandemic's effects on social relationships, trust in institutions, and willingness to help others are examined in a new special issue. Key findings highlight the complex relationship between societal context and measures taken during the pandemic.
Researchers found that rural patients with diabetes met fewer of the D5 metric criteria, including no tobacco use and blood pressure control, compared to urban patients. Rural patients also had fewer outpatient visits and endocrinology visits, which may contribute to poorer health outcomes.
A study of primary care clinicians reveals benefits and challenges of telemedicine, including ease of adoption depending on prior experiences, unclear visit triage rules, and positive impacts on physicians and patients. The technology also presents challenges such as conducting physical exams and diagnostic testing.
A Rutgers study found that about half of adult smokers and young adult nonsmokers think e-cigarettes contain fewer or the same level of harmful chemicals as cigarettes. The study also discovered an association between perceived low levels of harm in e-cigarettes and increased interest in using them.
A new review of research suggests that applying biochar to agricultural fields can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly nitrous oxide and methane. The study found that biochar can store carbon in stable forms for thousands of years, making it a promising technology for achieving negative emissions.
The global biogeochemical mercury cycle is closely tied to international trade routes, with emissions primarily linked to artisanal gold mining and smelting. Strategies to mitigate mercury exposure include production-side controls and consumption taxes to influence consumer behavior.
A study by researchers at the University of Copenhagen found that violent extremism is largely driven by a perception of cultural threat, particularly among individuals with specific personality traits. The researchers identified the 'Need for Cognitive Closure' (NFC) as a key psychological mechanism behind this phenomenon.
Researchers at Tsinghua University reveal fundamental issues with RIS technology, including its potential for noise introduction, power consumption, and limited gain in strong direct links. Active RISs are proposed as a solution to overcome these challenges, offering amplified reflected signals and substantial capacity gain.
Scientists at the University of Münster have found a signaling pathway that protects plant stem cells in the root meristem from salt stress. The GSO1 receptor-like kinase helps transport sodium out of cells, preventing damage and promoting survival.
A new study found that establishing a wildflower meadow in the historic grounds of King's College, Cambridge increased species richness and abundance by three times compared to adjacent lawn. The meadow also reduced greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 1.36 tonnes CO2-e per hectare per year.
A new study from the Communication Neuroscience Lab suggests that targeting self-and-social areas of the brain encourages information sharing online. People are more likely to share posts that they feel have value, either to themselves or to others.
A new Northwestern University study finds that CT scans are more effective than genetics in predicting the risk of heart disease in middle-aged individuals. The study used data from over 3,200 adults and found that adding CT scan data to conventional risk factors improved the accuracy of risk prediction.
A study led by Dr Mike YY Leung found that internal fixation surgery using titanium plates and screws (SSRO) improves patients' oral health-related quality of life faster than traditional IVRO. Patients who underwent SSRO had better physical and mental health-related QoL, with improvements starting as early as 2 weeks after surgery.
Scientists at CU Anschutz Medical Campus developed a neuroprotective peptide that targets a key protein in the brain, providing significant benefits without lasting harm to memory and learning. The temporary inhibition of CaMKII showed no pre-formed memory erase and prevented brain cell damage even at low doses.
Researchers propose using blood and urine biomarkers to classify subpopulations of acute kidney injury (AKI) patients, identifying therapies specific to individual patient populations. The study found two molecularly distinct AKI subgroups associated with differing risk profiles and long-term outcomes.
A new treatment has been developed to help people stop needing opioid painkillers for chronic pain, with promising results in a clinical trial. The intervention programme combines one-to-one and group support to guide individuals in coming off opioids, teaching them alternative techniques to manage their pain.
The study defines the northern boundary of the Asian summer monsoon (ASM) over the Tibetan Plateau, indicating its position and variability. The results show that the northern boundary roughly coincides with the boundaries of endorheic and exorheic basins and is characterized by changes in wind patterns and precipitation.
Primary care clinicians reported a range of experiences with telemedicine, from ease of adoption to challenges in conducting physical exams and diagnostic testing. The study also found that telemedicine had both positive and negative impacts on providers and patients, highlighting the need for clear regulations and adequate staffing pr...
Researchers investigate the potential of ChatGPT in clinical radiology, highlighting its positive considerations, such as enhancing patient care and radiologist education, as well as negative concerns, like accuracy and transparency issues. The paper aims to initiate an engaging discussion on the use of AI-powered chatbots in this field.
Seg2Link refines AI predictions with efficient semi-automated corrections to accurately segment cells in 3D images from a stack of 2D images. This solution enables scientists to process large-scale image data more efficiently, accelerating research in fields such as medicine and biology.
Research published in Children and Youth Services Review found that approximately two-thirds (63%) of adult survivors of childhood physical abuse are in complete mental health. Barriers to achieving this include a lack of social support, chronic pain, and a history of mental illness like depression or substance use disorders.
A new study published in Geology concludes that an extinct volcano off the shore of Portugal could store as much as 1.2-8.6 gigatons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to ~24-125 years of the country's industrial emissions.
Scientists adapted volumetric bioprinting to create three-dimensional, biologically functional areas within printed gels. The technique enables the infusion of biomolecules and growth factors into gelatin structures, creating a chemical map that guides cells to develop or specialize accordingly.
A randomized trial found that very low carbohydrate diets led to greater improvements in systolic blood pressure, glycemic control, and weight compared to the DASH diet. The addition of extra support did not have a statistically significant effect on outcomes.
Researchers discovered vitamin D's role in regulating dopaminergic neuron differentiation and function. The study found that vitamin D alters developing neurons in the brain's dopamine circuit.
Researchers propose separating EHR time outside scheduled appointments as 'after-hours' to improve accuracy and replicability of EHR workload studies. Refining vendor-defined measures will facilitate comparative research among health systems, illuminating the link between EHR workload and provider burnout.
Carefully planned restoration of agricultural coffee landscapes can increase crop yield by promoting pollinators' habitat, leading to long-term conservation and economic benefits. Over a 40-year period, strategically allocating land to agriculture and forest can double profits for landholders while increasing forest cover by 20%.
A new camera technology developed by Aarhus University and Newtec Engineering A/S aims to make it easier to recycle plastic materials. The technology uses hyperspectral imaging to analyze the chemical composition of plastic waste, allowing for the removal of unwanted additives that may be banned or harmful.
A new standard for diagnosing concussions has been established by an international group of experts, taking into account blood tests and cognitive assessments. The new criteria aim to reduce inconsistencies in diagnosis and improve patient care, as well as facilitate apples-to-apples comparisons between studies.
A newly described species of pachycephalosaur, Platytholus clemensi, has been found to have a keratin bristle structure atop its dome. The discovery was made using CT scans and microscopic analyses of fossilized slices through the skull.
A new study has defined analytical performance specifications for 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D examinations, which is essential for developing accurate methods to detect this metabolite. The findings show that the variation of 24,25(OH)2D concentration over time was significantly associated with 25(OH)D concentrations and body mass index.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Albany Medical College will use AI to develop a novel mesoscopic, multimodal preclinical imaging approach to test the hypothesis that drug distribution mediates tumor resistance. The goal is to improve targeted therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer.
Scientists from Hokkaido University propose a cheap and effective alternative for monitoring glacial runoff by analyzing audible sounds generated at the proglacial run-off site. The method has shown promising results in detecting changes in glacier discharge with high accuracy.
A new study from the University of South Australia shows that the Mediterranean diet is not only good for health but also for your weekly budget. Compared to the typical Australian Western diet, the Mediterranean diet costs less, with a family of four saving $28 per week and nearly $1500 per year
Researchers found that tree coverage and high-albedo pavement significantly reduced mean radiant temperatures, improving thermal comfort levels in urban areas. The study suggests incorporating trees and pavement design elements into city planning to mitigate the urban heat island effect.
A study of nearly 1,700 midlife women found that prediabetes was associated with increased risk of fractures. The findings suggest that treating prediabetes may help reduce this risk.
A digital gratitude intervention showed initial improvement in well-being among health care workers, with significant gains in positive affect. However, these benefits were largely lost by month three, suggesting a need for sustained interventions to support long-term mental health.
Research survey finds that long working hours, inadequate staffing, and limited shift choice contribute to burnout and exhaustion among nursing staff. Staff with complete control over shift patterns are less likely to experience burnout, but this may not be feasible in 24/7 care settings.
Researchers at USP in Brazil discovered that Leishmania parasites manipulate the protein gasdermin-D to prevent the immune system from killing them. This allows the parasite to continue replicating and causing disease. The findings offer hope for developing novel treatments for leishmaniasis, a disease affecting 30,000 people annually.
A study found that heat-stressed zebrafish embryos release chemical cues that alter the growth rate and behavior of non-stressed embryos, influencing gene expression related to immune response and cell structure. This phenomenon has ecological and animal welfare implications in a warming world.
A comprehensive multicontinental analysis found that COVID-19 vaccination reduced mortality by 22% among hospitalized and oxygen-dependent individuals. Vaccination was particularly beneficial for vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions.
Pharmaceutical scientists from the National University of Singapore have developed multi-functional synthetic peptide nanonets for relieving inflammation caused by bacterial infection. These nanonets trap bacterial endotoxins and pro-inflammatory cytokines, achieving anti-inflammatory activity through selective binding.
Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have created a fully functioning quantum repeater node, enabling entanglement creation and swapping over 50 kilometers. This breakthrough demonstrates the feasibility of connecting distant cities through secure, high-performance quantum communication networks.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that higher intake of dietary flavonols, specifically quercetin, was associated with lower odds of frailty onset. Flavonol-rich foods like apples and blackberries may be a useful strategy for preventing frailty in older adults.
Researchers found that individuals with only one defective allele can suffer from life-threatening diseases, challenging the assumption that defects in one allele are asymptomatic. The study highlights the importance of considering haploinsufficiency, where a single functioning gene is insufficient to prevent disease.
Researchers found that B cells in the gastrointestinal tract play a crucial role in promoting liver cancer by activating autoaggressive T cells and producing IgA antibodies. When B cells are turned off, inflammation and fibrosis regress in mice, suggesting new ways to prevent NASH and liver cancer.
The Fannie and John Hertz Foundation has announced the 2023 Hertz Fellows, who will tackle significant challenges in fields like artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and human health. The 15 new fellows join a community of over 1,200 innovators with a proven track record of accomplishments.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have discovered that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treats depression by reversing abnormal brain signals. The treatment, which involves powerful magnetic pulses applied to the scalp, changes the flow of neural activity in the brain. By analyzing fMRI data, the team identified a key connection ...
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden report that individuals vaccinated against smallpox decades ago retain cross-reactive immunity to mpox. The study found that previous smallpox vaccination provides about 80% protection against mpox.
A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature links continuity of the doctor-patient relationship to reduced healthcare costs and increased appropriate care utilization. The study found that interpersonal continuity remains significantly associated with lower healthcare costs and more effective care usage across various studies.
Washington State University researchers developed a robotic bee that can fly fully in all directions, including twisting motion. The Bee++ prototype achieves six degrees of free movement and is controlled by an artificial brain that acts like an insect's brain.
A non-toxic method using wheat germ oil has been shown to reduce seed loss by up to 74 percent, even during mouse plagues. The technique works by camouflaging the seed odour, making it hard for mice to find food.
A study on Chinese schoolchildren found that younger kids had higher close contact rates than older peers, with most face-to-face interactions occurring during breaks. The authors recommend a classroom ventilation rate to mitigate airborne transmission, suggesting improved ventilation can reduce COVID-19 risk.
A clinical trial combining TVB-2640 and bevacizumab showed a six-month progression-free survival improvement in patients with recurrent high-grade glioblastoma, warranting further study. The treatment's side effects were mild, but the overall survival of participants was not statistically significant compared to historic controls.
Researchers have measured the effects of ground on propeller noise for the first time, finding clear differences in noise characteristics. The study aims to inform strategies to reduce aircraft noise while taking off or landing, which is crucial for urban air services.