Researchers have found a possible new target for therapies aimed at treating age-related neurological diseases by linking increased presence of immune cells to conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Microglia, specialized immune cells in the brain, can adopt a dysfunctional state that contributes to neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 strains and found that a class of oral drugs can block this pathway, potentially treating all SARS-CoV-2 variants. The findings suggest the potential for a new therapeutic approach to combat drug resistance.
Researchers have discovered a genetic variant that helps Amazonian populations resist Chagas infection, a parasite that affects approximately 6 million people in Latin America. The PPP3CA gene variant reduces the risk of infection by the Chagas pathogen and is expressed in heart tissue and immune cells.
A study by Washington University School of Medicine suggests targeting T cells to prevent neurodegeneration and treat Alzheimer's disease. The research indicates that microglia partner with T cells to cause brain damage in the disease, and blocking their entry can avoid most neurodegeneration.
A new AI study suggests dementia prevalence rates in India could be up to 8.44%, affecting 10.08 million older adults, higher than previous estimates and comparable to countries like the US and UK
A new study reveals that school shootings are associated with a 7-14% increase in stress-related emergency department visits in surrounding communities. The research also highlights the need to prevent gun violence to mitigate community-wide costs. School shootings were found to worsen mental health and increase health system costs.
A study of fossilized bones from Brazilian species found that hollow bones with air sacs enabled dinosaurs and pterosaurs to become larger, as they circulated more oxygen and stayed cooler. This trait evolved independently in different groups, including sauropods, herrerasaurids, and birds.
A recent experiment by UC Riverside astrophysicist Stephen Kane demonstrates that a terrestrial planet in this location would have disastrous effects on the solar system. The simulation found that such a planet could destabilize Earth's orbit, making it far less habitable and potentially ejecting Mercury and Venus from the solar system.
Contracting a lower respiratory tract infection in early childhood is associated with a higher risk of dying from respiratory disease as an adult. Children who had a LRTI by age two were almost twice as likely to die prematurely in adulthood.
A Chinese research team developed a silver-modified polyoxometalate photocatalyst that simultaneously cleaves carbon-carbon and carbon-nitrogen bonds under visible light, unlocking new avenues for sustainable chemicals. The compound can be reused up to six times without loss of activity.
Scientists have developed a conductive polymer coating called HOS-PFM that can significantly enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles. The coating ensures battery stability and high charge/discharge rates while extending battery life by up to 15 years.
A new study found that poor sleep is associated with compromised cardiovascular health in middle and old age, with men losing nearly 7 years of heart disease-free life compared to healthy sleepers. Women also experienced a significant loss of normal heart health, with up to 2 years lost due to general poor sleep.
The Geological Society of America's joint meeting explores key issues in eastern US geology, including sea-level rise and climate change. The event also features field trips and short courses on topics like stormwater management and luminescence dating.
Researchers found smart senior towns scored higher on every quality-of-life dimension compared to vulnerable senior towns, citing better medical services, shopping options, housing, child services, and entertainment venues. Small towns with a larger population tend to support more resources for community foundations and local services.
A global study aims to better understand the burden of Human papillomavirus (HPV) among girls and women in low- and lower middle-income countries. The study will inform effective strategies to prevent infection and introduce HPV vaccine into national programs, protecting the health of girls and women and reducing rates of cervical cancer.
A new study published in The Lancet found that contracting a respiratory infection in early childhood is associated with a higher risk of dying from respiratory disease as an adult. Children who had a lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) before the age of two were 93% more likely to die prematurely from respiratory disease, account...
Researchers have developed novel biomimetic polypeptides that activate M1-like macrophages, a type of immune cell involved in fighting cancer. The new immunomodulators, known as BMPPs, exhibit excellent biocompatibility and efficacy, making them a promising tool for cancer therapy.
A US FDA mandate to limit acetaminophen dosage in pills combining it with opioids significantly reduced hospitalizations and acute liver failure cases. Researchers found a persistent decline in yearly rates of these cases after the mandate was implemented in 2014.
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology annual meeting will explore cutting-edge approaches in biochemistry and molecular biology. Leading experts will discuss the latest discoveries and advancements in fields such as AI, RNA regulation, and carbohydrates in health and disease.
Researchers found that angel care and embalming can effectively prevent virus transmission, allowing family members to say goodbye. The study provides evidence for national guidelines to address emotional distress caused by COVID-19 restrictions on cremation practices.
A new study found that consumers prefer conventional spelling over unconventional ones for brand names. In various studies, participants showed less positive responses to brands with misspelled names, perceiving them as less sincere and more gimmicky. Established brands may still benefit from non-standard spellings in certain contexts.
Women with clogged leg arteries are more likely to be misdiagnosed or undertreated due to biological, clinical, and societal factors. The condition is often asymptomatic or presents with atypical symptoms, making diagnosis challenging.
Reducing mRNA methylation promotes migration of macrophages into the brain and clearance of toxic protein amyloid-beta. This pathway provides a potential new target for treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
A new study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that genetic and socioeconomic factors interact to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity. The study's findings suggest that interventions to improve socioeconomic deprivation may decrease metabolic diseases at the individual and community levels.
A new study finds that releasing captive-bred native fish into the wild negatively impacts entire ecosystems, disrupting delicate balances and leading to reduced genetic diversity. The practice, which has been used for over a century, may be doing more harm than good.
A study from the University of Georgia found that whistleblowers who once trusted journalism are now losing faith due to a decline in media's ability to motivate change. The erosion of media's reach has led to a decrease in trust, with many whistleblowers seeking alternative mediums to spread their message.
Machine learning models can automatically detect individual heads on grain crops in images taken from drones, providing a simpler alternative to manual counting. The study provides a detailed pipeline outlining the use of these models, covering data preparation, model validation, inference, and yield-specific metrics.
A study by Kumamoto University researchers reveals LSD1's role in regulating skeletal muscle response to environmental stress. The findings suggest that LSD1 moderates muscle adaptation to environmental conditions, with potential implications for maintaining muscle health and preventing diseases such as sarcopenia.
A new study reveals that fluorinated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic containers can leach PFAS into food, particularly when exposed to temperature changes. The research highlights the potential for significant exposure to hazardous chemicals linked to various health issues.
Researchers found that the heart influences our sense of time, causing it to stretch or shrink with each heartbeat. The study used electrocardiography to measure heart activity and showed that temporal wrinkles in time perception are synchronized with heartbeats.
Researchers found that current anti-predator gear can reduce clam mortality by four- to tenfold, with double-layered treatments showing the highest survival rates. However, rays were still capable of interacting with the gear for prolonged periods, potentially diverting them from other natural habitats.
Soil bacteria have been used to produce prodrugs by selectively epoxidating indole and indene. This breakthrough enables the sustainable biocatalysis of active pharmaceutical ingredients with high purity.
A new study by Anglia Ruskin University found that physical activity and pelvic floor exercises can effectively increase latency time in men with premature ejaculation. The research suggests exercise as a promising non-pharmacological treatment option, potentially reducing the reliance on drugs with side effects.
A new method devised by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Moussa N'Gom enables effective free-space optical communication between satellites and the ground, unaffected by rain and clouds. The ultrafast lasers create a long filament of light that clears space for visible light transmission.
A new study found that increased consumption of live dietary microbes is linked to better health outcomes, including lower waist circumference and body mass index. The research suggests that a higher intake of fermented foods, raw fruits, and vegetables may support immune function and increase the diversity of microbes in the gut.
A new study analyzing household transmission data found that the top 20% of infected individuals cause three times more infections than the average person, highlighting individual differences in infectiousness.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that bumblebees acquire new behaviors through social learning, with observed bees consistently choosing the taught method over an alternative option. This suggests that social learning may have driven the evolution of complex behaviors in these insects.
A Cambridge study suggests that hunter-gatherer childhoods may hold the key to improving education and wellbeing in developed countries. The research highlights the importance of physical contact, non-parental caregivers, and children providing care, which are often lacking in modern societies.
A new collaborative project led by the University of Liverpool aims to investigate the Gulf Stream's role in transporting nutrients and carbon, and its effect on the ocean's carbon uptake. The four-year programme will use cutting-edge sensors and models to better understand how the Gulf Stream influences climate change.
Researchers from Pusan National University studied compound extreme weather events in northern East Asia and found that a lack of soil moisture led to increased evaporative stress, amplifying heatwaves and triggering compound droughts and heatwaves. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for societal safety.
A study published in the European Journal of Pediatrics found that infants at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have difficulty perceiving audio-visual synchrony, a skill typically developed by typically developing children. This finding suggests that an audio-visual test could be used to diagnose ASD earlier than current methods.
A new study by ICM-CSIC unveils the structure beneath Mexico's Jalisco-Colima continental margin, revealing large oceanic ridges that subduct beneath the North American plate. This discovery helps explain the high seismogenic and tsunamigenic potential of the region.
Experts warn that clearer messaging on gambling harm is needed, citing the lack of impact from the widely used 'Take Time to Think' slogan. A study found no significant change in people's betting behavior, including time spent gambling and amounts bet.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine are collaborating with NASA to send human heart tissue into space to monitor its changes in low-gravity conditions. The mission will test the impact of long-duration spaceflights on heart muscle cells, potentially informing age-related cardiac problems treatments.
Researchers developed a new muffin recipe using Hibiscus sabdariffa extract, which provides high levels of antioxidants like phenolics. The muffins also have improved nutrition, containing less sugar, saturated fat, and white flour, making them a healthier option.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that individuals who synchronize their pupil dilation patterns to a simple rhythmic beat also exhibit higher levels of synchrony with other minds, such as attending to the same story. This suggests an underlying mechanism uniting different forms of synchrony.
Stefano Pierini proposes a new paradigm to simplify the verification of the Milankovitch hypothesis, combining physics concepts to link orbital parameters and glacial cycles. The deterministic excitation paradigm correctly predicts the timing of recent glacial terminations, offering insights into climate predictability.
A new study led by Yale School of the Environment researchers examines the application of machine learning in the sustainable development of biomass. The study found that machine learning has not been applied across the entire life cycle of biomass-derived materials (BDM), limiting its ability to advance research and development.
New research reveals that gender targets in the Australian public service do not lead to expected improvements in gender equity for women in leadership. The study suggests that effective policies, such as having at least two women on shortlists and leadership training, are crucial to increasing female representation in senior roles.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has selected Cleveland Clinic for a nationwide initiative to improve how healthcare systems translate research findings to clinical practice. The initiative aims to reduce the time it takes to move discovery in research to new treatments, with an estimated lag of 17 years.
A new study led by OHSU researchers reveals that gene editing technology in human embryos can lead to unintended changes in the genome and may not accurately reflect gene edits. The study highlights the need for caution when using genetically edited embryos to establish pregnancies.
Scientists from the University of Groningen develop complex oxide devices for energy-efficient computing, including magneto-electric spin-orbit and memristive devices. These materials have potential applications in novel computing architectures, such as random number generators.
Researchers have identified a biomarker that can select breast cancer patients who may benefit from denosumab treatment. The study found that tumors with high RANK protein expression are associated with poor prognosis and response to chemotherapy, suggesting that denosumab may be effective in hormone-receptor negative tumors.
A new study by Weill Cornell Medicine found that the FDA's mandate to limit opioid-acetaminophen combinations resulted in significant reductions in liver injuries. The mandate, implemented in 2014, limited the dosage of acetaminophen in these drugs, leading to a decline in hospitalizations and acute liver failure cases.
A review highlights the impact of paternal diet, nutrition, and lifestyle on future generations, with strong evidence suggesting a western diet leads to imbalances in nutrient intake. Advanced paternal age is linked to genetic, psychiatric, and metabolic disorders in offspring, emphasizing the need for men's healthcare.
The team creates software and hardware for a 4D printer that can control shape-changing materials in response to external magnetic fields or mechanical deformation. This technology enables the design of soft robots, smart sensors, and substrates with self-healing capabilities.
A recent study by Kobe University researchers discovered that a leafless epiphytic orchid can conduct sophisticated photosynthesis through its roots, similar to leaves. The discovery reveals that the plant's roots carry out photosynthesis in a crassulacean acid metabolism manner.
The study estimates that up to 40% of current carbon dioxide emissions come from the dissolution of calcite in rocks, while 60-80% originates from underground magma. Researchers aim to provide a tool for better discriminating between magmatic and non-magmatic CO2 sources.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have developed a blood test for anxiety that can help identify biomarkers associated with the disorder. The test has been validated by three independent cohorts and shows promise in matching patients to effective treatments, such as medications and nutraceuticals.
A new study highlights the importance of grassroots data collection in reducing bird-window collisions, which kill an estimated 365 million to nearly one billion birds annually. The study emphasizes the need for better data collection methods and increased funding to support citizen science efforts.