A new study reveals that mercury levels in the Arctic tripled at the beginning of the Holocene, with sea ice reduction being the main cause. Climate warming has led to a decrease in perennial sea ice, allowing for increased mercury transfer and deposition in the Arctic environment.
A team of researchers has discovered a liquid quasicrystal with a dodecagonal honeycomb structure, consisting of triangular, square, and trapezoidal cells. The discovery provides new insights into the formation of these special structures and offers promising applications in optics and electronics.
Researchers from GIST have developed graphene-based conductive hydrogels that are injectable, degradable, and highly compatible with biological systems. The novel electrodes outperform traditional metal electrodes in signal transmission and stability, offering promising solutions for long-term medical monitoring and treatment.
A team of researchers has performed a loophole-free Bell test using superconducting circuits, confirming that quantum mechanics predicts non-local correlations. The experiment demonstrates that entangled particles can be correlated over large distances, opening up possibilities for distributed quantum computing and quantum cryptography.
Tufts University researchers have developed immortalized bovine muscle stem cells that can grow rapidly and divide hundreds of times, making it possible to produce millions of metric tons of cell-cultured meat per year. This breakthrough reduces the need for animal biopsies and increases scalability for the production of cultured meat.
Two review articles explore the effectiveness of fecal microbiota transplants (FMTs) in treating recurrent infections with C. difficile and chronic noncommunicable diseases like ulcerative colitis and metabolic syndrome. While FMTs have shown promise, researchers agree that more research is needed to understand factors such as patient ...
A study by Tufts University researchers reveals how DNA repair can fail near expanded repeats, leading to mutations and disease. The team found that certain proteins play a crucial role in stabilizing the DNA during repair.
Scientists have assembled a pangenome of genomic sequences from 47 people worldwide, revealing nearly 120 million DNA base pairs previously unseen. This breakthrough collection represents significantly more accurate human genetic diversity than ever captured before.
Researchers developed a predictive model to identify tumor biomarkers of cachexia in lung cancer patients. The study used machine learning to build a muscle loss prediction model based on muscularity, clinical data, and the transcriptional profile from the tumor microenvironment.
A recent study investigated social media posts of emergency medicine physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing key thematic shifts in language related to anxiety, anger, depression, and loneliness. Social media was found to provide a real-time landscape for evaluating emotional well-being among healthcare workers.
Researchers found that AI-generated algorithms neglect non-European populations, leading to lower diagnostic accuracy. Studies revealed facial dysmorphologies specific to each syndrome and population variation. Developing unbiased predictive models is crucial for effective diagnosis across all human populations.
A team of researchers used JWST to observe GJ 1214b's atmosphere, discovering water vapor and a reflective haze. The findings suggest the planet is too hot to be habitable but likely contains significant amounts of water.
New research suggests that households could break even on their solar panel investments by 2027, thanks to a steady decline in cost outlay and return on investment. The study also predicts that solar electricity will become a more competitive energy source, making it 40-50% cheaper by 2035.
Frequent YouTube users under 29 have higher levels of anxiety and depression, according to a study. Neutral or positive online relationships between creators and followers can also occur, but these can exacerbate issues when replaced for face-to-face interactions.
Researchers discovered that fungal antibiotics produced by Penicillium mold in cheese rinds control bacterial community growth and development, leading to a shift in the composition of microbial communities.
A new study published in JCI Insight identified a second target for treating depression using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), showing that each target alleviates a different set of symptoms. Patients who had high baseline depression and anxiety measures responded better to standard TMS treatment, while those with low baseline ...
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a metal-filtering sponge that can capture and recover critical metals and heavy-metal pollutants from contaminated water. The new sponge successfully removed lead to below detectable levels with one use and recovered over 90% of the ions during subsequent cycles.
Researchers studied systematic variation in AAE speech production, including final consonant reduction, to prevent misdiagnosis of speech disorders. The study highlights the importance of accepting variation in human language without penalizing users.
A study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery reports high 10-year implant survival and patient satisfaction rates for robotic-assisted medial knee arthroplasty. The procedure showed excellent outcomes, with over 90% of patients remaining satisfied without revision.
A study of 5302 patients found no significant difference in bleeding events between those temporarily discontinuing and maintaining antithrombotic therapy during image-guided breast biopsies. The findings support the safety of continuing antithrombotic therapy, but counsel patients on bruising risk.
Researchers have identified microorganisms in the Alpine and Arctic regions capable of degrading biodegradable plastics at 15°C, including polyethylene, polyester-polyurethane, and polybutylene adipate terephthalate. The discovery could reduce costs and environmental burden associated with enzymatic recycling processes.
African rhinos have dozens of gammaretroviruses in their genomes absent from Asian rhino species. The viruses are closely related to rodent viruses and suggest that African rhinos were infected by an exogenous viral variant, leading to genome colonization.
Researchers found that trusted change agents can alter consumer behavior to maintain adequate supply levels. The top three themes of disaster-related buying behaviors are precaution, anticipation, and social cues.
The SNO+ experiment has successfully detected reactor neutrinos using plain water, showing that such detectors can play a role in ensuring nuclear non-proliferation. The measurement overcomes challenges of detecting tiny signals from distant reactors.
A study analyzing the affordability of water services for 28.3 million people in the US found that 15% of households, or one in seven, face financial hardship in paying for access to water and wastewater services. The researchers suggest that solutions require comprehensive strategies at local, state, and federal levels.
Researchers found that immune-modulating cells may slow the expansion of bulges in the aorta by creating a less-inflammatory environment. A second study discovered evidence that a COVID-19 infection promotes the enlargement of abdominal aortic aneurysms, which are extremely dangerous and potentially fatal if they rupture.
Researchers evolved single-celled snowflake yeast into massive multicellular organisms over 3,000 generations. The yeast grew larger and stronger, with novel material properties, due to a unique biomechanical mechanism of entanglement where cells wrapped around each other.
Researchers at Paderborn University have developed a multi-output quantum pulse gate (mQPG) that enables the decoding of information encoded in photons' color composition. This technology improves the security and efficiency of quantum key distribution protocols.
Scientists studied cell movement during embryonic development to better understand cancer metastasis. They discovered how developing cells initiate the breakaway movement by contracting their surfaces and changing their shape, shedding light on key proteins involved in the process.
A new study from the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center found that immigrant adults with liver cancer have a significantly higher five-year survival rate compared to those born in the US. The study identified disparities in survival rates across different racial and ethnic groups, with immigrants demonstrating better outcomes.
Achieving a high fertility cycle in dairy herds involves implementing reproductive management programs, maintaining optimal body condition scores (BCS), and ensuring timely pregnancies. By calving cows at lower BCS between 2.75 and 3.0, dairy farms can reduce health issues and increase fertility rates.
Anzela Niraula won the 2023 Endocrine Images Art Competition with her image of microglia mandala, highlighting its significance in endocrine research and obesity pathogenesis. The prize includes complimentary registration to ENDO 2023 or 2024.
A study by UMC Utrecht shows that corona patients can measure their blood oxygen levels at home using a pulse oximeter, feeling safe and experiencing more control. This method does not increase GP visits or hospitalization but contributes to relieving caregivers and keeping healthcare affordable.
Physicians are urging primary care teams to use data-driven approaches to prevent and mitigate climate-related health issues, dubbed "precision ecologic medicine". This approach combines patient-specific data with climate-related information to predict and support vulnerable patients.
The Grambank database reveals that regions with all Indigenous languages endangered face the greatest consequences of language loss. The analysis shows a decline in functional richness worldwide but highlights harshest effects in Northeast South America, Oregon, Alaska, and northern Australia.
A new study by CABBI researchers has identified the types of microbes associated with engineered oilcane, revealing diverse microbial associations that could increase oil yields for sustainable bioenergy production. The findings suggest that plant-microbial interactions play a key role in determining the composition of the microbiome.
Scientists have engineered plants to produce peptides with antibiotic activity against drug-resistant pathogens, which also enhances stability and prolongs activity. The resulting plants yield potent drugs at significantly lower costs than traditional methods, making them an environmentally friendly option for pharmaceutical production.
A Bangor University paper quantifies the carbon benefits of ending bottom trawling, finding only a small fraction of seabed carbon reacts to disturbance. The study challenges the validity of previous claims and suggests using 'carbon credits' for banning trawling may actually increase overall CO2 emissions.
Researchers found that machine-learning models trained with descriptive data label rule violations more harshly than humans, leading to potential serious implications in the real world. This study highlights the need for careful consideration of data labeling and training methods to ensure fairness and accuracy in AI decision-making.
Researchers at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg have unlocked the mechanism behind intravenous immunoglobulin antibody therapy, which resolves joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. The study reveals that these antibodies suppress a central self-destructive process by targeting pattern recognition receptor Dectin-1.
A new advanced artificial intelligence system has been developed in the UK that can accurately identify protein patterns within individual cells. The HCPL system uses a deep-learning model to quickly and accurately determine subcellular structures where proteins are present.
A new species of Jurassic pliosaur has been discovered that may have grown up to 14.4 meters in length, twice the size of a killer whale. The discovery was made using vertebrae found in an Oxfordshire museum and published in the Proceedings of the Geologists' Association.
A study by McGill University and University of British Columbia found that the planet's biomass is concentrated in organisms at either end of the size spectrum. The researchers discovered a universal upper limit for maximum body size across multiple species and environments, with similar sizes reached by trees, fish, and other organisms.
A study published in Neurology found that people with sleep apnea and less deep sleep have higher biomarkers for stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and cognitive decline. Participants with severe sleep apnea had reduced axonal integrity, similar to being three years older.
A fossil arthropod from 100-million-year-old Burmese amber has been identified as a new genus and species of froghopper. The newly discovered insect had prodigious leaping ability in adulthood, similar to its modern-day counterparts.
A new study from the University of Surrey analyzed over 1.4 million academic papers and found that team size and diversity do not uniformly impact research performance. The study suggests that academics should be cautious in assuming larger, more diverse teams are always better.
A recent study found that healthy dietary patterns are strongly associated with improved fitness in middle-aged adults. The study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, examined over 2,380 participants and found that a Mediterranean-style diet with fresh whole foods and minimal processed items led to higher cardio...
A new paper by Robert K. Naviaux outlines the array of processes that drive healing and whose dysfunction underlies chronic illnesses like diabetes and autism. The cell danger response is triggered by exposure to threats, but persists even after the threat is gone, causing inflammation and cell dysfunction.
Researchers used hydrophones to record the sounds of Pando aspen grove's leaves and root system, discovering vibrations passing through the tree during a windstorm. The study challenges traditional concepts of individual organisms and has potential applications in nondestructive analysis of environmental systems.
Researchers from the ALFA Score Consortium explore how nutrition and physical exercise can positively impact the aging process by modifying epigenetic changes. They find that healthy aging is associated with more tightly condensed chromatin, fewer histone post-translational modifications, and greater regulation by non-coding RNAs.
A new study in PLOS ONE examines how individuals coped with stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies were associated with higher quality of life. Emotion-focused coping strategies may be most helpful when stressors are unpredictable or outside of individuals' control.
Salt marshes reduce wave run-up on dikes, but their impact is dependent on foreshore elevation and marsh width. In some locations, marshes are absent where mud flats are low-lying, highlighting the need for human interventions or hard engineering solutions to enhance protection.
A new genetic mutation has been identified as the cause of infantile dilated cardiomyopathy, a common cause of heart failure in children. The mutation disrupts centrosome structure, leading to disorganized muscle cells and poor heart function.
A new study found that being overweight or obese during early and middle adulthood increases the risk of gastrointestinal cancers in later life. The research also suggests that frequent aspirin use does not modify this increased risk.
University of Rochester researchers create a groundbreaking system mimicking photosynthesis using bacteria and nanomaterials to produce clean-burning hydrogen fuel. The innovative approach replaces fossil fuels in the process, offering an environmentally friendly alternative.
A new study from City University London suggests that the Research Excellence Framework (REF) has led to significant increases in high-quality published research, but not active academics. The study highlights areas of improvement needed in the assessment framework, including greater collaboration between domestic competitors.
Researchers from Amsterdam UMC and Copenhagen University have found that a chemofree drug-combination therapy is more effective than traditional chemotherapy in treating CLL, resulting in reduced side effects and improved patient outcomes. The study, the largest ever conducted on CLL, involved 920 fit patients and showed that treatment...
Researchers at Simon Fraser University and the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research have developed a new drug, AR-787, that shows promise in treating conditions leading to sudden cardiac death. The drug targets a protein in the heart called the cardiac sodium channel, which is essential for electrical impulse conduction. By inhibiti...
A non-native midge species is significantly increasing rates of plant decomposition, resulting in three to five-fold increases in soil nitrate levels on Signy Island. The midge, Eretmoptera murphyi, is altering soil ecosystems and potentially 'opening the door' for other species to become established.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that silencing gene p16 can drive colorectal cancer progression in animal models. A combined treatment strategy involving two drugs improved survival rates in tumor-bearing mice, offering new possibilities for targeted therapies.