A POSTECH research team has developed a deep-learning approach to enhance resolution and speed in photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) imaging. The technique enables high-resolution, real-time whole-body imaging of animals and monitors tissue movement in the heart, kidney, and brain.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that platinum accumulates in healthy cells surrounding cancer cells, particularly fibroblasts, and induces gene activation associated with poor response to chemotherapy. Periostin levels serve as a marker of TGF-β activity in fibroblasts and predict treatment benefit.
Researchers at Hokkaido University used hydrogel materials in combination with neural stem cells to grow new brain tissue in areas of brain damage. The study showed that immune cells and blood vessels grew within the hydrogels, leading to some degree of integration between the hydrogel and host brain tissue.
A three-year effort to conserve bee populations showed positive effects, with increased bee abundance and diversity in studied areas. However, quality of the habitat played a key role in these positive effects, and its impact on maintenance over time was also significant.
A comprehensive report on 'Extinct in the Wild' (EW) species synthesizes data on plant and animal species at risk. Most EW populations are small with low genetic diversity, making conservation efforts crucial.
A new algorithm was proposed to predict a satellite's attitude without sensor data, crucial for debris tracking and damage reduction. The method uses quaternions and an extended Kalman filter to estimate the satellite's state, followed by a neural network to extract unmodeled environmental torque.
A single gene controls a switch between two alternative cell fates in a species of sea anemone, enabling the transition from a piercing cell to a sticky cell. This finding suggests that the nematocyte cell may have evolved from a spirocyte thanks to the development of the NvSox2 gene.
Researchers created human organoid models of fatty liver disease to shed light on drug responses and disease biology. The models identified a common mechanism for effective drugs that block lipid generation from sugars, suggesting personalized medicine applications.
A new study has identified a biomarker, placental growth factor (PlGF), which is associated with cognitive impairment and dementia due to vascular brain injury. Higher levels of PlGF in the bloodstream are linked to increased risk of cognitive decline and cerebral small vessel disease.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo found that a specialized wing structure called the propatagium evolved in non-avian dinosaurs, paving the way for modern birds to fly. The discovery, based on statistical analyses of arm joints, helps fill gaps in knowledge about bird flight origins.
Researchers have discovered four new 2D Janus materials that can catalyse the splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen with excellent stability and light absorption. These materials, which are well-suited for redox reactions, could be a key element in the global effort to eliminate carbon emissions.
A new computational framework, Non-MapReduce, uses random sampling to efficiently sort through Big Data files, reducing communication and memory costs. This approach enables faster processing times and energy efficiency in cloud computing.
A study of over 11,000 women with obstetric anal sphincter injuries found that the severity of problems increases with the number of injuries, affecting everyday life and quality of life. Women with two injuries reported high-frequency anal incontinence and a greater impact on their lives.
A preliminary study found a nationwide association between Parkinson's disease and air pollution exposure, with the highest levels of fine particulate matter linked to increased risk. The Mississippi-Ohio River Valley was identified as a hotspot for Parkinson's disease, where risk increases with increasing air pollution exposure.
Scientists at UCI create a system using E. coli as a live sensor to detect heavy metal contamination in water, with a high sensitivity and accuracy of over 96%. The technology can be applied globally to monitor toxins in drinking and irrigation water, agricultural runoff, and industrial supplies.
Researchers have long observed that animals respond to magnetic fields, but the exact nature of this 'magnetic sense' remains unclear. A new review provides an overview of the field, including methods used to study magnetoreception, such as GPS tracking and tissue manipulation.
The study found that nicotinamide riboside (NR) increases NAD+ levels in the blood, which is associated with lower biomarkers of neurodegenerative disease. Researchers measured NAD+ directly in extracellular vesicles and found a correlation between increased NAD+ and changes in disease biomarkers.
A novel ensemble learning model has achieved an accuracy of 96 percent in predicting mild cognitive impairment and dementia in older drivers. The two most influential driving variables are the right to left turn ratio and the number of hard braking events.
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory used neutrons to map phason and phonon vibrations in fresnoite crystals. They found that phasons carry heat three times faster than phonons, which may improve the accuracy of simulations for energy materials.
The study reveals that genetic variation is preserved in a highly fragmented population of the Saimaa ringed seal. The unique shape of Lake Saimaa compensates for the detrimental effects of small population size, allowing the species to maintain its adaptive potential.
A recent study found that Black bots were perceived as more competent and human than their White and Asian counterparts in digital interactions. This challenges past research on human-to-human interactions and highlights the importance of understanding how racial stereotypes interact with artificial intelligence.
A recent study published in Immunity found that skipping breakfast can lead to a decline in immune cells and an increased risk of heart disease. The research showed that fasting triggers a stress response in the brain, which negatively affects immune cells.
A study analyzing non-avialan theropod dinosaurs reveals that growth rate and duration played nearly equal roles in body size diversity. Contrary to expectations, changes in both factors contributed significantly to the evolution of giant and miniature sizes among these species.
The fungi Neofusicoccum mediterraneum and Neofusicoccum parvum have been found infecting pines in Southern California, causing a deadly disease known as pine ghost canker. The pathogens are native to the US but have recently started infecting trees in urban forest areas.
Direct incorporation of a metasurface in a laser cavity enables spatiotemporally modulated laser pulses. Giant nonlinear saturable absorption allows pulsed laser generation via Q-switching process.
Researchers at Georgia State University found that psyllium fiber protects against ulcerative colitis by activating the bile acid nuclear receptor FXR, which suppresses inflammation. The study suggests that pharmacologic activation of FXR might be useful in managing inflammatory bowel disease.
Researchers developed a new prototype treatment using a human antibody that neutralizes neurotoxins from African and Asian elapid snakes, with potential for broader cross-reactivity. The treatment showed promising results in preventing death from venom envenoming in mice.
Researchers at HZDR demonstrate the creation of controlled single-photon emitters in silicon, enabling mass production of photonic qubits for quantum computing. The breakthrough paves the way for industrial-scale photonic quantum processor production.
A study of 232 healthy adults found that hypnosis and mindfulness meditation reduced pain intensity and tolerance, while prayer did not. The results suggest that brief sessions of these techniques may be useful for acute pain self-management.
The National Center to Reframe Aging has established a new advisory board with 16 diverse professional backgrounds to advance the initiative. The board will support activities aligning with project goals and identify key organizations and decision-makers.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki identified a new targeted drug, BCL-XL protein inhibitors, effective against erythroid and megakaryoblastic leukemias. However, venetoclax is unlikely to function optimally in these subtypes. The finding contributes to making targeted drug selection more precise.
A CAMH-led study examines national suicide rates in 33 countries over 20 years, identifying eight population-level factors associated with suicide rates. The study highlights the importance of considering gender differences when developing suicide risk reduction initiatives.
Research at the University of Helsinki highlights the importance of emergent plants in supporting biodiversity in urban ponds. The study found that vegetation cover can enhance diving beetle diversity in ponds with fish, but not without them.
A decade-long international study has linked genetic changes in kidney cancer to patient outcomes, identifying four groups of patients based on specific genes. The findings suggest that tumour DNA sequencing may provide a more effective way to predict patient risk of kidney cancer recurrence.
Researchers found no relationship between growth rate and body size in theropod dinosaurs, with some giants growing slowly and smaller ones rapidly. This study opens the door to future investigations into how animals regulate their growth.
The study found that Cu0-Cu+ active sites exhibit excellent performance in selective furfuryl alcohol production from furfural. The DFT calculation revealed that Cu+ accelerates the second-step hydrogenation process, while Cu0 reduces the energy barrier for desorption of furfuryl alcohol.
Scientists at Caltech have developed a method to move and arrange cells using ultrasound waves, which could enable tissue engineering and cell-based therapy. By harnessing the properties of gas vesicles derived from bacteria, researchers can apply force to cells in a selective manner.
Researchers found that immune cells play a key role in hypertension, weakening blood vessel walls and damaging the blood-brain barrier. Inhibiting inflammatory messengers may be a new therapeutic target for treating hypertension.
The ESMO Targeted Anticancer Therapies Congress 2023 features presentations on drug discovery and development for various targets, precision medicine, and early clinical trial methodology. Keynote lectures highlight novel insights in mutational signatures and epigenetic therapies.
Researchers at Curtin University found a catastrophic decline in biodiversity at the west end of Rottnest Island, with some species experiencing declines of up to 90% between 2007 and 2021. The study highlights the impact of global climate change on marine ecosystems even in protected areas.
Dr. David McDougal's research project aims to find better therapies to prevent hypoglycemic episodes in people with type 1 diabetes, focusing on the role of leptin in regulating blood sugar responses. The grant-funded study seeks to identify novel treatments for preventing low blood glucose in these patients.
Researchers have discovered a surprising mechanism by which the molecular machine Dis3L2 unwinds and destroys RNA molecules. By changing shape, Dis3L2 reveals an RNA-splitting wedge, allowing it to execute its tasks in a more dynamic and versatile way.
Erik Herron's project aims to create a more perfect union by fostering open discussions about election integrity and values. Through public events and online resources, Herron encourages community groups to prioritize security, efficiency, and access in their elections.
A new UCLA-led study explains that tidal heating in Enceladus' rocky core creates currents that transport silica particles to the surface. The research suggests that these flows can pick up materials from the seafloor and bring them to the ice shell, providing evidence for hydrothermal activity at the ocean floor.
New research on malaria-infected bonobos shows that the infection harms them, too, with symptoms including fever and increased mortality risk. The study also finds that bonobos have a protective variant of an immune gene similar to one found in humans, suggesting a selective advantage for those individuals.
Research suggests that oleic acid in olive oil has antioxidant properties, inhibiting the expression of proteins associated with cholesterol transport, and reducing atherosclerosis. Additionally, oleic acid is recognized as an anti-cancer molecule, which also displays hypocholesterolaemic effects and may influence epigenetic mechanisms.
Researchers identify the minimum contribution of TACC3 for FGFR3-TACC3 fusion protein activation, revealing a novel target for treating FGFR translocation-driven cancers. The study shows that clinically identified FGFR3-TACC3 fusion proteins differ in biological activity depending on specific breakpoints.
A novel air filter made from corn protein has been developed that can capture small particulates and toxic chemicals like formaldehyde. The filter, which uses functional groups to grab molecules, shows promise for improving air quality in regions with poor air pollution.
Researchers found that leptin receptor neurons prioritize social interaction over eating and drinking in moderately hungry mice. This system can only regulate moderate hunger, but not strong hunger, which may contribute to why diets don't work.
Researchers found that IVC filters were effective in preventing pulmonary embolisms (PE) in patients with deep vein blood clots, even when used prophylactically. Approximately half of the patients had their filters removed without complication or recurrence of DVT or PE.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have discovered a key to improving drought-resistant wheat plants by stimulating longer root growth. By increasing the copies of specific genes, plants can absorb water from deeper supplies, leading to increased biomass and higher grain yield.
Wilate prophylaxis showed an 84% reduction in bleeding episodes and improved quality of life in children and adults with all types of VWD. The treatment reduced the frequency of bleeding episodes by lowering the mean total annualized bleeding rate compared to on-demand treatment.
Researchers created a network of interacting proteins to understand the function of genes and link specific biological processes to diseases. They identified groups of proteins interacting with genes linked to over 1,000 human traits, providing insights into new targets for drug discovery and potential repurposing opportunities.
Recent research has shed light on the prolonged La Niña events in the tropical Pacific, which have significant implications for global weather and climate. The study found that the sea surface temperature evolution is determined by a competition between local and remote effects due to subsurface thermal anomalies.
The number of US minors receiving hormone treatment and surgeries has risen significantly, despite concerns over the lack of strong evidence. Experts are questioning the evidence underpinning guidelines from organizations such as WPATH and the Endocrine Society.
A new treatment regimen combining high-dose abatacept and ruxolitinib has shown to significantly improve survival rates among cancer patients with cardiotoxicity from immune checkpoint inhibitors. The experimental treatment reduced myotoxicity-related mortality by 90% compared to standard-of-care corticosteroids.
A new study found that sea stars, such as the sunflower sea star, play a crucial role in protecting kelp forests by preying on kelp-eating urchins. The research suggests that these sea stars can consume urchins at rates sufficient to maintain and perhaps reset the health of kelp forests.
A community-integrated intermediary care (CIIC) model in Thailand reduces caregiver burden by 39.4% and improves seniors' functional ability, while also providing formal care and technical training for family caregivers.
The University of Minnesota Medical School has received $1.4 million in funding to develop methods and risk management processes for clinical artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize patient safety. The team will focus on understanding the performance of clinical AI at the individual patient level.
Researchers found that certain wearable devices using bioimpedance sensing technology can interfere with CRT devices, causing pacing interruptions or unnecessary shocks to the heart. The study suggests that future clinical studies are needed to evaluate patients with CIEDs and wearables.