A new study finds that communities with high proportions of elderly residents and those living in mobile homes or group homes are at greater risk of groundwater contamination from fracking. Higher-income households were more likely to have access to mitigation strategies, while lower-income households faced greater risks.
Researchers at MIT have found a way to reverse neurodegeneration and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease by interfering with an overactive brain enzyme called CDK5. The peptide treatment reduced neurodegeneration, DNA damage, and improved behavior in mice with Alzheimer's.
Infants have a unique homing property that directs certain immune cells to the skin at birth, protecting them from disease-causing bacteria. This skin-homing ability is crucial for lifelong immunity and local tissue development.
Research reveals eastern wolves are genetically distinct from grey wolves and coyotes, suggesting a separate evolutionary origin around 67,000 years ago. The study also indicates hybridization between coyotes and eastern wolves has occurred at least twice, in the Great Lakes region.
A large study of over 3 million patients receiving the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine found extremely rare cases of retinal vascular occlusion. The researchers concluded that there is no evidence suggesting an association between the vaccine and newly diagnosed RVO, rates similar to those of other vaccinations.
Astronomers use the Hubble Space Telescope and Keck Observatory to measure the 3D shape of galaxy M87, revealing a 'potato-shaped' triaxial form. The team also determines the mass of the supermassive black hole at the galaxy's core, estimating it at 5.4 billion solar masses.
The workshop identified resistance to change, lack of capacity, and political will as common barriers to implementing biodiversity and ecosystem services. Enabling factors include communication, stakeholder engagement, data availability, EU regulations, synergies, and collaboration.
Three-dimensional simulations of elastoviscoplastic fluids revealed novel insights into energy transfer mechanisms across different scales. The findings showed a homogeneous, isotropic turbulence with plastic effects altering turbulent behavior.
Researchers have developed an approach to studying HBV in the lab, allowing for a sharper view of its behaviors and characteristics during its life cycle. This breakthrough could lead to improved drug treatments and potentially even a cure for hepatitis B.
Researchers have identified a genetic signature in pre-malignant liver cells, which could help determine the future risk of developing liver cancer. The discovery has significant implications for staging and monitoring chronic liver disease patients.
A new study by the Peter Doherty Institute found that First Nations populations are significantly more likely to be hospitalized and die from influenza compared to non-Indigenous populations. Influenza-associated hospitalization and mortality rates were consistently higher in First Nations communities globally.
The primary COVID-19 vaccines provided adequate protection against transmission, hospitalization, and death, but their effectiveness waned in the face of the Omicron variant. The study found that vaccines developed prior to Omicron's emergence were 83% effective against infection at baseline, but this decreased to 47% by 40 weeks.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that the brain can compute multiple alternative decision strategies simultaneously, which may facilitate cognitive flexibility and learning. Researchers used a 'virtual reality' setup to study mice searching for water in a virtual world, finding that the brain activity patterns reflected...
Researchers have found that fermented sugar-based products and fermented vegetable-based products show promise in improving gut and brain health. Preliminary results suggest these foods contain beneficial metabolites that can positively impact mental health.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have achieved significant vision recovery in experimental models of damaged retinas using stem cells. The study marks a promising step towards potentially restoring vision in eye diseases characterized by photoreceptor loss.
A recent study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that early-career physicians who scored lower on professionalism and interpersonal communication skills during their residency are more likely to receive unsolicited patient complaints in their first year of employment. The study tracked 9,340 residents and found a strong ass...
A new AI-generated vaccine targeting T-cells provides broad coverage against future COVID-19 variants, potentially lasting longer than current antibody-based vaccines. This innovation has the potential to be used for seasonal flu and other vaccines, offering a long-lasting solution to emerging viral diseases.
Researchers uncover how HIV enters human bodies via dendritic cells using Siglec-1 membrane protein; formation of nanoclusters enhances capture, leading to virus compartment formation. Understanding this process can aid in developing effective treatments for HIV/AIDS.
During Hawaii's COVID lockdown, researchers found that species displaced by human presence moved back into shallow habitats, increasing fish biomass and predator populations. However, when tourism resumed, predators returned to deeper waters, reducing biomass and habitat use to pre-pandemic levels.
Researchers assembled the largest atlas of post-zygotic genome mutations in healthy human tissue, providing insight into genetic underpinnings of disease. The study found that most detectable mutations occurred later in life, but some arose systematically and predictably as people age.
A recent study published in Nutrients found that many vegans consume high amounts of industrially processed foods, which can be detrimental to health. In contrast, those who follow a 'health-conscious' vegan diet tend to eat more whole ingredients and exercise regularly.
A new Stanford study found that nearly half of Americans visited unreliable websites during the 2020 U.S. election, a decline from 44.3% in 2016. The study suggests that education and mitigation efforts to identify misinformation are working. However, experts caution that exposure to misinformation can still have serious consequences.
New research reveals that offshore wind farms in the North Sea significantly impact red-throated loon populations, with a 94% decline in numbers within a 1km zone. The study suggests that these birds are forced to forage in smaller areas due to restricted movements.
A recent study published in BMJ found that many infant formulas make unsubstantiated health claims, with only a small percentage supported by scientific research. The study examined 757 products from 15 countries and found that 90% of the investigations had high risk of biased research.
A new study reveals that households experiencing high inflation are more likely to buy a home due to concerns about future price hikes. The research found that personal experience with inflation is a key driver of home ownership, with those who have lived through high inflation more likely to invest in real estate.
Scientists discover that milk-derived extracellular vesicles can repair damaged gut barriers and prevent bacterial toxins from leaking into the bloodstream. The study shows promising results in treating leaky gut syndrome and related diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Antarctic icefish have evolved special adaptations to cope with extreme cold, including antifreeze glycoproteins and changes to the rhodopsin protein. These changes enable them to see under sea ice and adapt to red-shifted wavelengths in low-light conditions.
A team of scientists from Kyoto University has confirmed that galaxy alignments can be a powerful probe for dark matter and dark energy. The analysis of 1.2 million galaxy observations verified general theory of relativity at vast spatial scales, providing strong evidence for gravity's role in shaping the universe.
A UC Davis study analyzed millions of Twitter posts to find that social media can both amplify and disrupt individual issues, leading to both unifying and divisive outcomes. The research highlights the complex nature of social media's impact on public discourse, revealing an oscillation between integrated and segregated communication.
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at a higher risk of developing lymphoma, particularly those with Crohn's disease. The risk is driven by both the disease activity and treatment, including immunomodulating drugs.
A nurse has shared her experience of developing sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) after a mild COVID-19 infection. She highlights the importance of clinicians including SSNHL as a potential side effect of COVID-19 and recommends high-dose corticosteroids as treatment.
A new study published in the Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism found that a 'typography as image' approach was most effective for grabbing attention and conveying messages on trailside signs. The design strategy combines attention capture and elaboration to prompt users to provide more information.
A new study analyzing US National Health Interview Survey data found significantly higher levels of pain among LGBTQ+ adults compared to straight adults. Psychological distress was the most strongly linked factor driving these differences.
A study involving hibernating brown bears and chronically immobilized humans found reduced expression of platelet protein HSP47 to be protective against thrombosis. This finding is supported by research in pigs and mice, suggesting a conserved mechanism across several mammalian species.
A recent study found that over 42% of healthy mothers carrying fecal transplant material tested positive for harmful pathogens, making the procedure risky. The research aims to assess whether postnatal FMT can safely restore normal microbiota in C-section babies.
Researchers have developed an implantable nanofluidic device that delivers CD40 monoclonal antibodies to shrink pancreatic tumors, reducing treatment dosage by fourfold. The device's long-term controlled release avoids systemic side effects, offering a promising alternative for cancer patients.
A team of scientists at Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light developed a method to quickly and accurately diagnose cancer using artificial intelligence and real-time deformability cytometry. The method reduces analysis time from hours to under 30 minutes, enabling faster decision-making during surgery.
A study by the University of Exeter and Bayer AG found that pollinators produce a conserved family of cytochrome P450 enzymes to tackle alkaloid toxins in plants. These enzymes allow bees to safely consume nectar and pollen from toxic plants, shedding light on insect tolerance mechanisms.
A UTSA-led research team has discovered a new exoplanet using indirect methods. The exoplanet, HIP 99770 b, is about 14 to 16 times the mass of Jupiter and orbits a nearly twice-as-massive star. This breakthrough opens a new avenue for scientists to discover and characterize exoplanets.
A novel study finds that hospitals with positive patient safety climates and high standard precaution adherence have lower rates of healthcare-associated infections and occupational injuries. The study suggests that improving these factors could lead to better patient and worker outcomes.
Research finds that flash droughts are becoming more frequent due to human-caused climate change, posing a major challenge for climate adaptation. The transition to flash droughts is predicted to accelerate in a warmer future, with irreversible impacts on ecosystems.
Researchers at UC Irvine have identified key themes in the biology of pancreatic cancer that can serve as hallmarks for therapy. These themes include genomic alterations, metabolism, and immunotherapy, which can be combined to improve treatment outcomes.
A new computational model suggests that reducing hormone doses in contraceptives could effectively suppress ovulation. The model found that hormone doses could be lowered by up to 92% in estrogen-only contraceptives and 43% in progesterone-only contraceptives, while still preventing ovulation.
The James Webb Space Telescope has observed six galaxies that defy the standard model of cosmology, with masses billions of times that of our sun. These findings suggest alternative theories on galaxy formation and expansion rates shortly after the Big Bang.
Climate change is driving a shift towards more frequent flash droughts worldwide. The study, published in Science, reveals that regions with limited time for preparation are at highest risk. Early warning systems can help mitigate the impacts of these rapid-onset events.
Researchers at RIKEN have created a composite material that can channel mechanical energy in one direction but not the other, allowing for efficient use of random vibrations. This property is essential for various biological functions and has potential applications in electronics, photonics, magnetism, and sound.
Research discovers that reduced levels of Hsp47 protein can prevent blood clots in humans, pigs, and bears, even when immobile for extended periods. The study's findings could lead to new medicines for people with inherited blood clotting disorders.
A WVU research team has created an OPTIMAL model to help students overcome fears of learning code and enhance critical thinking skills when using ChatGPT, a popular AI chatbot. The model facilitates chatbot-aided scientific data analysis and aims to improve coding skills and prompting abilities.
Researchers will use seismoacoustic instruments to study the OSIRIS-REx capsule's re-entry, gathering data on shockwaves, infrasound, and atmospheric dynamics. This campaign aims to improve models of meteoroid flight and refine relationships between size, velocity, and infrasound signatures.
A new study by NYU researchers found that students' brainwaves in sync with their classmates and teacher are more likely to learn better. The study used EEG to track brain activity during lectures, finding that synchrony between brainwaves predicted higher post-lecture test scores.
Researchers developed an antisymmetrized quasicluster model to represent both cluster and shell structures in a single framework. The model applied to carbon and oxygen revealed significantly different density distributions compared to traditional assumptions.
A study found that two-thirds of staff and residents in long-term care facilities in England were infected with COVID-19 between March 2020 and March 2022. The analysis, which included over 5,000 individuals, estimated that the true rate of infection was higher due to under-diagnosis during the pandemic.
Scientists uncovered fossils of palm leaves, hydrangea flowers and extinct plants from the same family as basswood, providing clues about climate conditions 40 million years ago. The discovery sheds light on the warmer temperate to subtropical climate that existed in the area during the late Eocene era.
Researchers at the University of Michigan suggest that ape ancestors lived in seasonal woodlands with broken canopies and ate leaves, not fruit. This new model for ape origins pushes back the origin of grassy woodlands from 7-10 million years ago to 21 million years ago.
A global study of 9,555 individuals found a 4% increase in heavy bleeding days and total bleeding quantity after COVID-19 vaccination. Changes often resolve by the first post-vaccination menstrual cycle.
A study examining the link between hearing aid use and dementia found that those using hearing aids had a lower risk of developing dementia compared to non-users. The study was retracted due to an error in data processing, which rendered the findings inaccurate.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have discovered a two-dimensional magnetic material that can work in room temperature. This breakthrough paves the way for energy-efficient and faster data storage and processing in computers and mobile devices.
The CHEST journal April issue features cutting-edge research on asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and sarcoidosis. Key findings include the potential of efzofitimod as a treatment for managing sarcoidosis. The journal also showcases innovative approaches to clinical practice and education in chest medicine.
A new AI stop smoking app, Quit Sense, detected triggers and provided support to help smokers manage urges to smoke in specific locations. The study found that four times more people who used the app quit smoking six months later compared to those only offered online NHS support.
The Center for Ethics in Science and Science Journalism (CESJ) will oversee a residency program for science journalists in research institutions across Europe. The program aims to promote independent and ethically responsible science coverage, providing training and capacity building opportunities.