A new study from Texas A&M University finds a correlation between secondhand smoke exposure and higher blood lead levels in children. The research suggests that education and mitigation efforts can further protect kids and adolescents from lead exposure, building on past success of lead removal initiatives.
A study of a Wolf-Rayet star suggests it will form a magnetar upon explosion as a supernova, with strong magnetic fields predicted. The findings provide new insights into magnetar origins and suggest a possible pathway for their formation.
Researchers detected distinct 'dwarf pulses' from PSR B2111+46 using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope. These narrow, weak pulses exhibit a rare reversed spectrum and are produced by one or a few particles generated by pair production in a fragile gap of the pulsar's magnetosphere.
A new study found that individuals exposed to common cold-causing coronaviruses have immune responses that may protect them from future SARS-CoV-2 infections. Researchers hope this insight will inform global infectious disease outbreak preparedness and vaccine development.
A new article by leading researchers emphasizes the need for a coordinated approach among all stakeholders to improve trust in research. The authors outline roles for each group, from funders to media outlets, to work together to fortify science integrity.
Researchers developed a new method to assess immune responses to specific antigens after mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine administration, using B cell receptor repertoire analysis. This approach enables evaluation of post-vaccination responses in immunocompromised patients with high antibody titers.
The invasive orange pore fungus has won the third BMC Ecology and Evolution image competition, highlighting its potential threats to Australian ecosystems. The winning image depicts bright orange fruiting bodies growing on deadwood in the Australian rainforest.
Researchers found that natural forgetting can be reversed in certain circumstances, with memories stored in engram cells still intact but inaccessible. Competition between engrams affects recall, and forgotten memory traces can be reactivated by cues or updated with new information.
Researchers at NUS have developed an aero-elastic pressure sensor called eAir, promising increased precision and reliability in medical applications. The sensor can provide tactile feedback for surgeons during minimally-invasive surgeries, enhancing patient recovery and prognosis.
A new study finds that US property values exposed to wildfires and tree mortality will increase sharply in future climate scenarios, particularly in the western US. Aggressive climate action can substantially reduce exposure, with the value of exposed property topping out at $11 billion under mitigation scenarios.
A study found low primary care vision testing rates for children and adolescents, with lower rates among those without private insurance. Despite yearly testing recommendations, less than half of those with private insurance received testing.
A Penn State-led research team discovered that somatostatin signaling acts to dampen communication among cell types in the prefrontal cortex, promoting exploratory and risk-taking-like behavior. The findings suggest that somatostatin fine-tunes circuits to promote certain behaviors, including decision making.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking finding on the role of biofilm formation in hydrocarbon consumption by Alcanivorax borkumensis bacteria. The study reveals that dendritic biofilms alter the oil-water interfacial tension and buckle the oil droplets, optimizing consumption and accelerating biodegradation.
A recent study found that activating astrocytes in the basal forebrain can keep mice awake for hours without affecting their sleep need or intensity. The researchers hope to develop interventions targeting these cells to improve productivity and health of shift workers and others who work long hours.
Environmental regulators should use scientific experimentation to inform natural resource policy, according to an international group of economists. By conducting experiments and analyzing results, policymakers can create more effective programs and reduce uncertainty about what works and what doesn't.
Researchers discovered a new type of astronomical object - a massive magnetic helium star that may evolve into a magnetar. The star has a phenomenally powerful magnetic field, about 43,000 gauss, and will eventually collapse into a neutron star with an even stronger magnetic field.
A new study found that high-stress caregivers had higher klotho levels and longer telomeres in specific immune cells, which may provide protection against aging. In contrast, low-stress caregivers showed no significant associations between klotho levels and telomere length.
A study by Ohio State University found that urban coyote cortisol levels are higher than those in suburban or natural areas. Chronic stress is also linked to poor physical condition, such as mange infection, and the responsibility of running a pack, with alpha individuals experiencing high stress levels.
Chikungunya virus has found a way to evade the immune system by hijacking host cells' cytoskeleton, allowing it to spread directly from cell to cell. This discovery could lead to the development of effective vaccines or treatments for this debilitating mosquito-borne disease.
Researchers have finally found Pines' demon, a massless and neutral composite particle predicted to exist in certain metals. They used a nonstandard experimental technique that directly excites a material's electronic modes, allowing them to see the demon's signature in strontium ruthenate.
A team of researchers identified neural dynamics that our visual system uses to transform what we see into what we do, demonstrating that working memory relies on both what one is storing and why. This new understanding challenges traditional theories of working memory, which state that storage codes are stable over time.
Researchers analyzed thousands of samples from 700 children between birth and 12 years old, finding that racial and ethnic differences in the gut microbiome arise after three months of age. The study suggests that external factors shape these variations rather than being present at birth.
The five-year grant will help create a multinational research partnership to gather data on prevention and treatment strategies for cancers caused by HPV and Epstein-Barr viruses among this population. Cancer is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV, with poorer treatment outcomes.
Researchers developed a new mathematical model to study circadian rhythm resilience and develop ways to improve it in individuals with weak internal clocks. Sustained disruptions can lead to disorders like diabetes and memory loss.
A new study published in JPRAS Open found that breast size affects women's attitudes towards exercise, with larger breasts leading to less frequent exercise. However, after breast reduction surgery, women reported increased overall frequency, enjoyment and willingness to exercise in a group.
Scientists explore ultracold quantum gas to understand wave turbulence, discovering a universal relation that describes the state's characteristics regardless of external factors. The findings echo the universality of the ideal gas law for equilibrium states, opening up new avenues for understanding non-equilibrium systems.
A new study from the University of Nottingham models how antibiotic resistance genes build up in gut bacteria through lifetime exposure to food intake and antibiotic treatment. The research suggests that reducing exposure to resistance genes is particularly effective during periods of antibiotic treatment, and that dietary advice shoul...
Researchers expand simple view of reading framework using meta-analytic structural equation modeling, validating its effectiveness for SFL learners. Decoding skills and language comprehension skills are identified as primary components for effective SFL reading instruction.
Scientists have identified a molecule that regulates nerve cell sensors, which could lead to new therapeutics for obesity, osteoporosis, and inflammatory diseases. The molecule can be modified into peptide-based therapeutics to boost the activity of channels involved in bone strength and satiety.
Researchers found that certain immune cells were associated with increased protection from flu symptoms, while others were linked to susceptibility. The study's findings have implications for developing tailored vaccine platforms and improving public health strategies.
A new study found that the apex predator Saurosuchus had a weaker bite force than previously thought, equivalent to modern gharials. This suggests that it may have fed only on soft flesh and not been able to crush bones, unlike later dinosaurs.
UC Santa Barbara researchers develop new catalytic process that can convert polyolefins from single-use plastics into valuable alkylaromatics, underlying surfactants in detergents. The improved method reduces production time and energy input, enabling potential commercialization and large-scale use.
Researchers from HKUMed and CityU have generated human neural stem cells with enhanced therapeutic potential for treating spinal cord injuries. The new findings, published in Advanced Science, show that reducing the expression of the SOX9 gene promotes motor neuron formation and improves survival and integration of the stem cells.
Scientists have identified platelet factor 4 (PF4) as a common messenger for the cognitive benefits of young blood transfusion, exercise, and the longevity hormone klotho. Studies show that PF4 calms down the aged immune system, reducing inflammation and promoting brain plasticity and cognition.
A study by the University of Konstanz found that people's self-assessments of their immune response to vaccination corresponded surprisingly well with actual antibody levels, especially when the immune response was weak. The researchers suggest that patients' self-perceptions provide valuable clues about their state of health, and phys...
Researchers at the University of Malta discovered that COVID-19 causes long-term muscle weakness by depleting the ACE2 receptor. This finding paves the way for therapeutic approaches to mitigate chronically disabling complications. The study used fruit flies to curb down ACE2 levels, inducing fatigue and diminished mobility.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science have discovered dozens of small protein sequences with antibiotic qualities in extinct organisms like Neanderthals and Denisovans. They then synthesized these molecules using artificial intelligence and tested their efficacy against pathogens.
Researchers found stable antibodies in 800-year-old medieval human teeth that can still recognize viral proteins, allowing them to study the history of infectious human diseases. This discovery expands the field of palaeoproteomics and may enable experts to analyze how human antibody responses developed over time.
Researchers at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg have developed a new method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, which takes just two hours from swab to result. The approach can also detect other pathogens and is more flexible than existing PCR tests.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that people who experience pain after a heart attack are more likely to die within the next 8.5 years. The study analyzed data from over 18,300 adults who had a heart attack and found that moderate or extreme pain was linked to a higher mortality risk.
A study by Hebrew University researchers found that directly involved war veterans exhibited almost double the level of PTSD symptoms compared to indirectly active veterans. Parents of active veterans experienced heightened secondary traumatic stress, with mothers bearing a greater burden than fathers.
A study of 28,000 middle and high school students found high vaping cannabidiol (CBD) prevalence, particularly among e-cigarette users and Hispanic youth. Evidence-based interventions are needed to reduce health risks associated with vaping CBD among developing youths.
A RAND Corporation report proposes six policies to boost NYC housing supply by 300,000 units, leading to increased affordability through competition among landlords and naturally occurring affordable housing. The strategies include relaxing density restrictions near public transportation hubs.
Researchers found that the acoustic parasitoid fly Ormia ochracea exhibits temperature-coupled song temporal pattern preferences, shifting its preference with ambient temperature. This discovery suggests a new possibility for eavesdropping flies to recognize host cricket songs across a wide range of temperatures.
The Global Flourishing Study, a $43.4 million, five-year study of 200,000 individuals in 22 countries, has released its first sample dataset through the Center for Open Science (COS). The open-access data will enable researchers to develop hypotheses and analysis plans ahead of the full dataset release.
A team of scientists led by Timothy Gray has discovered a long-lived excited state in radioactive sodium-32 nuclei, which has an unusually long lifetime of 24 microseconds. This finding challenges traditional nuclear structure models and raises questions about how nuclear shapes evolve over time.
Researchers developed a platform that allows engineered biosensor bacteria to safely pass through the gastrointestinal tract in animal models. The platform enables real-time monitoring of gut health and can be used to diagnose and monitor various diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease. It has the potential to revolutionize pati...
Researchers found that genetic variants of the STING gene and bacterial NADase enzyme activity interact to determine disease severity. People with the risk variant of STING have a higher risk of life-threatening conditions, while those with the protective variant are less affected.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method to grow functional human muscle stem cells in the lab using mRNA technology. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for muscular dystrophy and other muscle disorders. The team successfully converted connective tissue cells into muscle stem cells, producing fully functional muscl...
Researchers found that languages with larger populations of non-native speakers do not simplify their grammars. Instead, variations in complexity accumulate too slowly to adapt to the environment. This challenges long-held theories on the relationship between language complexity and social factors.
Researchers found that vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria, and shingles, as well as pneumococcus, may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 25-30% in adults over 65. Vaccination is hypothesized to change how the immune system responds to toxic proteins contributing to Alzheimer’s disease.
A study led by Prof. Yinchang Feng finds that China's recent changes in air quality were primarily driven by emission reduction efforts, particularly the control of coal-related combustion emissions. However, the pace of PM2.5 reduction slowed down in some cities, and ozone pollution worsened in others.
Scientists at Michigan State University used big data to study bird coexistence in the Albertine Rift ecosystem. They found that birds partition their habitat use along environmental gradients and adopt different strategies to survive, allowing them to coexist without driving each other to extinction.
A team led by Dr. Zixiang Xiong at Texas A&M University aims to understand the fundamental limits of learned source coding, a machine learning-based data compression method. They hope to develop more powerful compression methods for efficient use of wireless communication and less energy consumption by mobile devices.
A multidisciplinary team at Hollings Cancer Center has launched a trial to reduce delays in starting radiation therapy after surgery, which can worsen outcomes. The ENDURE approach addresses organizational, team, and patient-level barriers to care, with promising preliminary results.
Researchers have identified a new species of leaf-tailed gecko from northern Madagascar, showcasing its exceptional camouflage skills. The discovery has shed light on the unique characteristics of this species, including its skin flaps and flattened tail.
A smartphone intervention app reduced unhealthy alcohol use among university students, with a 10% decrease in weekly drinks and 11% fewer heavy drinking days. The app, available for both Apple and Android smartphones, was effective in promoting healthier drinking habits without requiring significant resources.
Researchers developed an AI model that estimates age from chest X-rays and found a correlation between age discrepancy and chronic diseases like hypertension and COPD. The model was validated using data from multiple institutions, showing strong results.
Researchers analyzed satellite images to find that major festivities like Christmas, Ramadan, Chinese New Year, and Diwali vary night-time lighting intensity globally. Light pollution has serious consequences for living organisms and can be mitigated with planning and management measures.
Researchers at UBC's BioProducts Institute found a solution to capture virtually all microplastic particles in water by adding tannins to wood dust, trapping 95.2-99.9% of plastic particles. The method could be scaled up for municipal treatment systems or home use.