Complimentary press passes are now available for Discover BMB, featuring leading experts and the latest advances in molecular life science. Qualifying journalists can register online to attend the March 25-28 event.
A new study from the University of Michigan suggests that ultraviolet rays, not cosmic rays or X-rays, fuel chemistry in late-stage planet development. This discovery provides a chemical signature to trace exoplanets back to their cosmic nurseries.
A new University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center study found that people in Kentucky's Black communities may not be aware of all available colorectal cancer screening options, particularly stool-based tests. Regular screening beginning at age 45 is key to preventing and finding colorectal cancer early.
A new study from Duke University found that a person's race affects their inclination to ask questions, with Black women asking half as many questions as White participants. This may impact diagnosis and treatment of communication impairments resulting from right hemisphere stroke.
The study highlights the importance of a diverse city tree population, with private residences contributing significantly to urban forest diversity and structure. The research found that private trees serve unique functions such as providing fruit, flowers, or aesthetic beauty, while municipal trees tend to be bigger and more resilient.
Researchers have identified a new genetic pathway involved in regulating sleep from fruit flies to humans. The Pig-Q gene is associated with sleep regulation in both humans and animals, providing a novel insight into the genetics of insomnia.
Researchers found that the molecular clock helps cells maintain normal physiology during and after prolonged starvation, enabling them to adapt more efficiently. The study suggests that a functional circadian clock is crucial for cellular recovery after glucose deprivation.
Researchers found that impaired olfactory identification and sensitivity functions are associated with frailty, suggesting a potential biomarker for predicting frailty and unhealthy aging. The study's findings suggest screening older adults' ability to smell various scents could be as important as testing hearing and vision.
Researchers have discovered a supernova with strong features of oxygen and magnesium, suggesting the explosion could be crashing into circumstellar matter formed around 1,000 days prior to the event. This finding provides new insights into the later stages of massive star life and creates challenges for current theories on star evolution.
A new RAND Corporation report finds that child-access-prevention laws reduce firearm homicides, while shall-issue concealed-carry laws and stand-your-ground laws increase levels of firearm violence. The study also suggests that private-seller background-check requirements and minimum age limits for purchasing firearms may decrease tota...
A new automatic security patch generation system has been developed by Kun Sun and his team at George Mason University, addressing the challenges of existing program repair solutions. The system uses reference implementations to accurately locate vulnerable statements and synthesize patches for different types of vulnerabilities, promi...
A study from Oregon State University found that consumers are willing to pay more for familiar cheese varieties if they have an award sticker or sensory information about the taste. The researchers identified two groups of consumers: those who prefer unfamiliar foods and those who prefer familiar ones, with different priorities for the...
Researchers at the University of Bergen have developed a method to predict cancer patient survival within hours of chemotherapy. By analyzing protein ERK1/2 levels in blood samples, they can identify patients who are responding or not responding to treatment, enabling early intervention.
Researchers found that dendritic cells in meninges produce mediators causing pain hypersensitivity after nerve injury. The kynurenine pathway, primarily driven by IDO1, is involved in pain production.
A new UW-led report emphasizes the unequal burden of marine plastic pollution on different communities, particularly in developing countries. The study calls for a more equitable approach to address the issue, focusing on plastics production rather than waste management.
The UCF-developed battery uses saltwater as an electrolyte, eliminating volatile solvents and overcoming limitations of previous aqueous batteries. The novel design allows for fast charging in just three minutes and increased stability, making it a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
Scientists have identified a new Earth-size world, TOI 700 e, orbiting within the habitable zone of its star, making it an exciting prospect for further study. The planet is likely rocky and might be tidally locked, offering insights into our solar system's history.
A UK program using magnesium sulfate to prevent cerebral palsy in premature babies has been shown to be both effective and cost-effective. The PReCePT program increased the use of magnesium sulfate by 9.5 percentage points on average, resulting in a lifetime saving of £3 million.
A new study reveals that astroglial cells, a type of glial cell, are essential for the integration of sensory information from a location, enabling spatial learning and memory. This mechanism involves the release of D-serine, which strengthens dendritic spikes, facilitating the recognition and storage of familiar places.
A recent study of 711 adults found that listening to music significantly reduced stress levels and improved mood during the COVID-19 lockdown. The research suggests that music listening was particularly beneficial for individuals with elevated chronic stress during the pandemic, providing a mental health coping mechanism.
Adding apalutamide to active surveillance for early-stage prostate cancer may lower the rate of positive biopsies, according to a preliminary clinical trial. Fifty-nine percent of patients had no evidence of residual cancer on immediate posttreatment biopsy.
A study from Japan found that variations in psychiatric diagnoses across different cultures can affect the efficacy of antipsychotics in clinical trials. Researchers analyzed data from 28 double-blind randomized trials and found that psychotic features were associated with varying therapeutic responses to antipsychotic medications.
A new AI deep learning model for mapping wetlands has been developed by Chesapeake Conservancy with 94% accuracy. The model uses freely available data to map high-resolution wetlands in the US, providing a cost-effective solution for natural resource managers and companies.
Researchers from Japan develop a new DFB laser for high-speed data transmission, achieving 200 Gb/s over 10 km. The breakthrough enhances next-generation ethernet technology for data centers.
The Green Bank Telescope's new radar system produced highest resolution images of the Moon ever captured from Earth, paving the way for a next-generation radar system to study planets, moons, and asteroids. The flagship system will serve in planetary defense, detecting and tracking potentially hazardous objects.
Researchers at Aston University discovered that mechanical vibrations can improve balance control and strengthen calf muscles. The study, published in Scientific Reports, suggests that whole-body vibration could be used to reduce falls and hospital bed days in older people.
The study found that YTT recruits were of high caliber, with many coming from global top-100 PhD programmes. They recorded a noticeably higher post-return productivity compared to their overseas peers, mainly due to access to greater funding and research teams in China.
A recent University of North Florida study found that dual COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccinations significantly reduce reported COVID-19 infection rates. Individuals with dual vaccination were less likely to report COVID-19 infection compared to those unvaccinated, but symptom severity showed no significant difference.
A Temple-led study explores how recently firearm-injured individuals perceive news media coverage of their injuries and firearm violence. Participants reported feeling relieved when not
Researchers developed DeepLandforms, an open-source AI tool for mapping planetary surfaces, demonstrating its effectiveness in creating accurate geological maps on Mars. The tool's use of deep learning techniques enables fast and customizable mapping of planets, paving the way for future exploration and discovery.
Researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design developed a new reconfigurable workspace soft robotic gripper that can pick and place a wide range of consumer items. The RWS gripper's adaptive capabilities make it particularly useful in logistics and food industries where robotic automation is crucial.
Jay W. McDaniel, assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma, receives a CAREER Award to develop a custom UAV-based radar suite for measuring snow depth and distribution. The project aims to improve understanding of snow characteristics and their impact on thermal balance between terrain and atmosphere.
A new jaw surgery technique, segmental mandibular advancement (SMA), has been shown to effectively treat moderate-to-severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in a pilot study. The procedure resulted in a 50% or more reduction in breathing disturbances at night for 58% of patients, with no signs of sleep apnea.
Researchers developed an injectable hydrogel that inhibits common bacteria and promotes tissue regrowth, treating infections around prosthetics. The gel has a porous structure, excellent injectability, and rapid self-healing properties.
A University of Kansas professor argues that social work educators can adapt their teaching practices to best prepare students for in-person and virtual interactions with clients. The study provides a framework for teaching practice courses across modalities, emphasizing the importance of interactivity, empathy, and experiential learning.
A new study uses serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography to reveal the structure of NendoU protein at room temperature. The resulting high-resolution image shows that the protein's flexibility plays a crucial role in its functional mechanism, which is essential for designing antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2.
A new study suggests that reformulating packaged foods in Australia to contain less sodium could save up to 1,700 lives per year. Implementing the World Health Organization's sodium targets may also reduce rates of cardiovascular disease and stomach cancer.
Researchers are working to understand the events contributing to pancreatic cancer development by studying gene abnormalities and their effects on the disease. Dr. Krushna Patra's lab is focused on understanding how genetic mutations like GNAS contribute to pancreatic cancer growth.
A school-based gardening, nutrition, and cooking intervention improved glucose control and reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in high-risk youth. Elementary schools can incorporate garden-based interventions to improve metabolic parameters in children.
Researchers found that wheat lines with exotic DNA from wild relatives can achieve a 50% higher yield over elite lines under hot weather conditions. The study suggests incorporating heat tolerance traits into breeding programs to produce climate-resilient crops.
Researchers at Ruhr University Bochum have developed a novel synthesis process that converts carbon monoxide into anionic ketenes, which can be isolated and used as defined reagents. This approach avoids the use of expensive or toxic metals, making it a promising avenue for sustainable chemistry.
Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis and Purdue University used single-cell data to develop a new framework for understanding the relationship between cell growth, DNA replication, and division in bacteria. They found that individual cells can exquisitely coordinate these processes, despite the 'noisiness' of each process.
A new study has identified a protein called LAP1 that makes melanoma cells more aggressive by changing their nucleus shape. The protein allows cancer cells to migrate and spread throughout the body, leading to poor outcomes in patients.
Researchers have developed a diffractive optical processor that can compute hundreds of transformations in parallel using wavelength multiplexing. The processor, which is powered by light instead of electricity, can execute multiple complex functions simultaneously at the speed of light.
A recent study found that middle-aged individuals with more psychological symptoms are at a higher risk of developing dementia later in life. The study, which included data from over 68,000 Finns, suggests that symptoms of depression, exhaustion, and nervousness can increase the risk of dementia even as early as age 45.
A new cancer protein profile database has been created by KTH Royal Institute of Technology, mapping 1,463 proteins to 12 different cancer types. This database allows for the identification of individual cancer types using just a drop of blood, providing a promising new approach to cancer prediction and diagnosis.
A new technique called πNIRS can monitor brain blood flow non-invasively using a fast two-dimensional camera. This method improves upon previous techniques like iNIRS, enabling faster detection of changes in blood flow related to neuronal activity.
Researchers at UBC identified three compounds derived from natural sources that prevent COVID-19 infection in human cells. The discovery paves the way for developing new medicines using natural sources.
A large study found that greater adherence to healthy eating patterns was associated with a lower risk of total and cause-specific mortality. The study followed 119,000 participants over 36 years and showed consistent associations across different racial and ethnic groups.
Mount Sinai researchers discovered that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may be caused by two distinct types of deposits in the retina: drusen and subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs). Early intervention with vitamin supplements can slow down drusen formation, while SDDs pose a greater threat to advanced AMD.
Scientists using ALMA discovered a rare instance of two supermassive black holes growing simultaneously near the center of a newly coalescing galaxy. This finding suggests that binary black hole pairs may be more common than previously thought, with potential implications for future gravitational wave detections.
Dartmouth College researchers have developed a durable copper-based coating that can precisely be integrated into fabric to create responsive materials for protective equipment, environmental sensors, and smart filters. The coating responds to toxic gases in the air by converting them into less toxic substances trapped in the fabric.
A Rutgers study found that military service members who hide their suicidal thoughts and avoid behavioral health care tend to store their firearms unsafely. Those with undisclosed past year suicidal thoughts stored their firearms at home more often and with a locking device in place less often.
A mathematical model predicts the long-term effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses in various patient populations, including those with healthy immune systems and cancer patients. The model suggests that robust antibody-based responses can be achieved through booster doses, but may wane quickly in immunosuppressed individuals.
Researchers developed a framework to address women's reproductive needs holistically, combining family planning, contraception, and preconception care. The model suggests teaching children about reproductive health in school and using social media campaigns to raise awareness of reproductive preferences.
Research investigates relationship between eye color and aggression, finding bright-eyed individuals less aggressive. Eye width also studied, revealing correlation with environmental lifestyle. Scientists aim to understand language evolution through eye-tracking technology.
Scientists at Georgia Institute of Technology investigate how cats maintain balance while studying human spinal cord injury treatment.
The Center for Aggressive Scaling by Advanced Processes for Electronics and Photonics (ASAP) aims to develop new fundamental technology solutions to reduce energy consumption in microprocessors. The center will focus on materials discovery, heterogeneous 3D integration, and highly energy-efficient circuits and architectures.
A new study finds that tropical forests recovering from logging are a source of carbon due to soil and rotting wood releasing more carbon than new growth can absorb. The study highlights the need for sustainable logging practices to minimize collateral damage.
Researchers developed a CSIC vaccine that fully protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection in the brain and prevents associated brain damage. The MVA-CoV2-S vaccine candidate demonstrates sterilizing immunity and was effective even after reinfection with the virus.