A new study confirms that California's tobacco control program significantly reduces smoking rates and lowers health care expenses. Over three decades, the program resulted in a 10% reduction in smoking prevalence and saved Californians $51.4 billion they would have otherwise spent on cigarettes.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health reveals a 104% increase in pregnancy-related deaths among American Indian/Alaska Native people, with rates nearly doubling from pre-pandemic levels. The Delta and Omicron variants contributed to the worsening burden of mortality, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities.
A new study found that loss of Menin in the hypothalamus drives physiological aging in mice, including cognitive decline and reduced lifespan. However, supplementation with the amino acid D-serine reversed these age-related changes, improving skin thickness and bone mass.
Scientists discovered a new type of DNA repair mechanism that cancer cells use to recover from next-generation cancer radiation therapy. DNA polymerase θ (POLQ) is an important factor in repairing complex DNA double-strand breaks, and inhibiting POLQ may augment the efficacy of heavy ion radiation therapy.
A team of researchers has discovered a simple way to deliver cancer therapeutics to tumor cells by fluidizing the cell membrane using lipid nanoparticles containing EDTA. The mechanism is independent of metal chelation properties and involves changing the characteristics of the cell membrane to promote nanoparticle uptake.
A sensor embedded in concrete allows for more precise data on pavement strength, reducing the need for repairs and improving road sustainability. This technology has been implemented in several states, including Indiana and Texas, to reduce traffic delays and save taxpayer dollars.
Researchers developed a model to infer opinions from social networks and measure left-right political division. The model shed new light on how political beliefs are shaped, providing insights for policymakers and real-world debates.
A Rutgers study found that criteria used to diagnose multiple sclerosis in adults may not be sufficient for pediatric patients, who often go undetected in early stages. The study suggests that diagnostic tools used for adults may need to be re-evaluated for children with abnormal MRI findings.
A research team at City University of Hong Kong invented a tunable terahertz meta-device that can control the radiation direction and coverage area of THz beams. The device allows for signal delivery to specific users or detectors and has flexibility to adjust the propagating direction, as needed.
Patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias exhibit significantly higher readmission rates and overall episode costs compared to their non-dementia counterparts. Judicious preoperative assessment and care planning are strongly advised for this vulnerable patient population, particularly in the post-discharge period.
A new study has found that increased rumination is a predictor of greater severity of suicidal ideation in young people with major depressive disorder. The study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, suggests that elevated cognitive rumination is associated with lower cortical surface area and suicidal ideation.
Researchers collected electrophysiological recordings from prefrontal cortical regions in three human subjects with severe treatment-resistant depression. They found lower depression severity correlated with decreased low-frequency neural activity and increased high-frequency activity.
Researchers developed a texting intervention that promotes healthy sexual decision-making and reduces pregnancies among LGBTQ+ teens. The Girl2Girl program showed sustained positive health behaviors for up to 12 months after completion.
Researchers at Pusan National University studied the combined effects of swirl flow and air staging on coal-fired boilers, finding that co-swirling configurations improved burnout performance while reducing NOx emissions. The study suggests that a synergistic effect can be achieved by combining these technologies to reduce environmenta...
A new smoking cessation intervention, MAPS, has been shown to increase smoking abstinence rates in patients with cervical cancer or precancerous disease by over two-fold. The study found that extended treatment and sustaining the program may be necessary for long-term abstinence.
Researchers from Flinders University uncover the fossilized remains of Australia's largest eagle, Dynatoaetus gaffae, a bird with a wingspan twice that of the modern-day wedge-tailed eagle. The discovery sheds light on the continent's megafauna extinction and highlights the importance of raptors in the region.
A Phase II trial led by researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated that adding ipilimumab to a neoadjuvant combination of nivolumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy resulted in a major pathologic response in half of all treated patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. The treatment also...
A team of researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin has developed a new method for producing perovskite solar cells using a slot die coater, resulting in high-power conversion efficiencies. The best cells were scaled up to mini-module size and tested for outdoor stability, showing promising results.
Heat flow in the Earth's core is linked to anomalies in the magnetic field, particularly over Africa and the Pacific. The cooling process does not happen uniformly, causing regional changes to the magnetic field.
A study of over 1,400 amphibian species reveals that warning color signaling is likely an intermediate step in the evolution of aposematism. This finding highlights the importance of considering hidden signals in understanding animal antipredator defenses.
A new study reveals that a common gut bacterium uses phase separation of the transcription termination factor Rho to colonize and regulate genes in the mammalian gut. This mechanism is crucial for the bacterium's fitness and potential therapeutic applications.
Scientists from the University of Groningen have developed a theoretical framework to explain how charges move through organic solar cells. The study provides insights into the ultrafast charge transfer process, which is crucial for improving the material's efficiency.
A recent study found that while social factors were hypothesized to influence UFO reports, no association was found with the COVID-19 pandemic's stress and anxiety measures. An alternative explanation was proposed: regular Starlink satellite launches may have led to increased sightings.
A new study published in AJIC highlights the importance of understanding clinician perceptions and barriers to reliable hand hygiene. The research identifies nuances across clinician subgroups that can impact an organization's efforts to optimize hand hygiene reliability through human factors engineering tools and methods.
Researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have outlined a path toward understanding, preventing, and treating young-onset colorectal cancer. The study highlights the need for multidisciplinary research involving diverse populations to account for the complexity of the disease.
Researchers identify egg yolk proteins retained in viviparous sharks and rays, which may provide nutrition to developing embryos. The study suggests that these proteins have evolved a new function in cartilaginous fishes, potentially facilitating the transition from egg-laying to live birth.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health reveals that Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories produced fraudulent reports on PCB products, claiming they were not carcinogenic. The researchers also found that test conditions were compromised, leading to the indictment and conviction of employees involved.
Researchers at the University of California - Riverside have discovered a way to deactivate mosquito sperm, preventing them from swimming to or fertilizing eggs. This breakthrough could help control populations of Culex mosquitoes that transmit infectious diseases like encephalitis and West Nile Virus.
Researchers found giant underwater waves play a crucial role in ocean's ability to store heat and carbon, challenging current climate models. The study highlights the importance of small-scale turbulence in ocean circulation, which can significantly impact global climate projections.
A genetic census has been used to estimate the number and population structure of critically endangered western chimpanzees in West Africa. The analysis identified a total of 136 chimpanzees living in four different communities, with high levels of shared ancestry and genetic diversity.
A study published in Nature Immunology found that female mouse and human NK cells have more of a specific epigenetic regulator called UTX, which boosts anti-viral function while repressing NK cell numbers. This suggests that therapies need to be tailored to individual differences, including sex.
A study from the University of Copenhagen found that extinct animal species on islands like Mauritius cannot be replaced, as they play a crucial role in seed dispersal and ecosystem balance. Reintroducing new species often causes more harm than good, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect native plants and animals.
A comprehensive analysis of invasive ER+ breast cancers found macrophages as dominant immune cells infiltrating tumors. The study identified distinct immune cell 'neighborhoods' associated with good patient outcomes and highlights the need for tailored immunotherapies targeting macrophages.
New research directly measures human muscle contractile properties, revealing that extrapolating animal data to humans based on size is inaccurate. The study finds that human muscle fiber-specific tension is 24% smaller than traditionally used in small mammals.
Researchers discovered unique 'pulvinar slits' in the cell walls of cortical motor cells in legume pulvini, which enable flexible control of leaf movement. The slits allowed for anisotropic extension and contraction, facilitating plant cell wall flexing in response to osmotic changes.
Two novel genetically defined mouse models replicate two subtypes of human multiple myeloma, revealing the interaction of genetic aberrations as a key factor in development. The models will aid in identifying specific therapeutic strategies for individualized treatment.
A recent study analyzed data from 41,516 refugees and 207,729 Swedish-born individuals to investigate the impact of mental and somatic illnesses on labor market integration. The study found that multimorbidity poses a significant risk for unemployment among young refugees, highlighting the need for targeted public health actions.
A 16-year analysis of Brazilian research funding reveals stagnant funding for neglected tropical diseases, including chikungunya, Chagas disease, schistosomiasis, and malaria. Systematic underfunding is observed even among these diseases, which are considered neglected tropical diseases.
Astronomers at UC Irvine have found that terminator zones on distant exoplanets could be prime sites for liquid water and potentially harbor life. The study suggests that these regions offer a unique climate stability, making them more promising than previously thought.
A national US study found trust in government cancer information plummeted by 53% among non-Hispanic Black people during the pandemic. Meanwhile, trust in doctors remained high, highlighting the need for effective communication and access to healthcare services.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that receiving Paxlovid within 5 days of COVID-19 symptoms significantly reduced the risk of hospital admission or death. The medication was effective in people with prior immunity and all ages.
A recent study found that people with disabilities experienced increased household employment loss and financial hardship during the initial COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest a disproportionate impact on racial and ethnic minority respondents, highlighting the need for targeted policies and resources to address these issues.
Researchers at CZ Biohub SF and UCSF create high-resolution map of human immune response to P. falciparum, revealing why durable malaria vaccines have been hard to come by. The study uses sophisticated method to analyze antibodies' binding patterns to parasite proteins, offering insight into how malaria evades the immune system.
Researchers from Université libre de Bruxelles and French National Centre for Scientific Research show that processes violating causal inequalities can be realised in standard quantum mechanics using delocalised variables. This finding has far-reaching implications for our understanding of causality in physics.
A new study by Dr Stuart Fox found that childhood volunteering increases interest in politics and attachment to community, leading to a greater propensity to view voting as a civic duty. However, the effect was limited, with most children from disengaged households already likely to vote in adulthood.
Researchers discover a mechanism for shaping tissue boundaries during Arabidopsis root vascular tissue development. Positionally biased cell proliferation generates anisotropic compressive stress field, symmetrizing the boundary between xylem and procambium cells.
A new tool can accurately forecast the prevalence of individuals with insufficient access to food, allowing for timely responses. The tool was developed using data from six countries and achieved high accuracy rates, particularly in Yemen and Syria.
Researchers have developed a new type of OLED display that uses strong coupling of light and matter to improve color saturation and brightness. The displays, known as polariton-based OLEDs, achieve this without compromising efficiency or viewing angle dependency.
Researchers discovered a novel waste removal factor, CDNF, that treats brain haemorrhage by accelerating lesion resolution, reducing brain swelling, and improving functional outcomes. The treatment also alleviates cell stress and promotes scavenging by immune cells, leading to better recovery.
A study found that preterm infants do not habituate to repeated pain, unlike full-term infants. This lack of adaptation may affect their brain development and increase vulnerability to pain. The researchers' findings suggest that the ability to adapt to pain might develop during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Scientists have developed a way to modify OLED emission spectra without sacrificing efficiency, enabling greater colour saturation and brightness. The new technology utilises strong coupling between light and matter to create hybrid polariton particles, improving colour purity and stability.
A new method to cure HIV using umbilical cord blood stem cells has yielded long-term successful results for a middle-aged mixed-race woman with leukemia and HIV. The approach broadens the opportunities for people of diverse ancestry to attain cures.
A recent study published in JAMA demonstrates the effectiveness of a minimally invasive procedure called renal denervation (RDN) to treat uncontrolled hypertension. RDN uses ultrasound energy delivered through a small balloon to denervate the renal artery, reducing sympathetic nerve activity and decreasing blood pressure.
Researchers at German Cancer Research Center have developed a marker that predicts which patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) will respond to the new therapy. The marker, known as the MAC score, measures the ratio of specific proteins in leukemia stem cells and can be used to determine treatment success.
A Swedish study suggests that elite male footballers are 1.5 times more likely to develop neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, compared to population controls. Football players had a higher risk of dementia due to head trauma exposure, with goalkeepers showing no significant increase in risk.
Researchers observed a shift towards earlier springtime flowering in common morning glory plants as temperatures rose, with increased investment in floral rewards such as nectar and pollen. The study used the 'resurrection' approach to examine changes in floral morphology over nine years, revealing significant increases in flower size ...
This study found that lncRNA TARL promotes the host's innate immune response by competing with TAK1 mRNA to bind miR-2188-3p, thereby helping fish resist Vibrio infection. Down-regulation of TAK1 expression improved bacterial escape efficiency.
A new study published in Blood Advances found that the average life expectancy of publicly insured individuals with sickle cell disease is roughly 52.6 years, which is significantly lower than the overall US life expectancy of 73.5 years for men and 79.3 years for women. The study also revealed worse survival outcomes among those insur...
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science used computer simulations to clarify why L-alanine was preferred over D-alanine during primordial RNA aminoacylation reactions. The study revealed that L-amino acid had more electrostatic stability in its transition state, providing a plausible reason for the selective aminoacylation.
A recent genomic study identifies two genetically distinct Ashaninka subgroups, suggesting a complex history of interactions with neighboring populations. The research also hints at a possible migration from southeastern South America or the Southern Cone, shedding new light on the genetic origins of this Indigenous group.