A KAUST-led study reveals that plant trait diversity increases above an aridity threshold of 0.7, challenging the view that harsh environments reduce biodiversity. The research found that chemical and morphological traits respond similarly to changes in aridity and grazing pressure.
A study published in Science Advances found that the quality of synapses, specifically dendritic spine head diameter, predicts episodic memory performance in older adults. Researchers suggest targeting pathways that maintain spine head diameter or synaptic strength may yield greater therapeutic benefits for Alzheimer's disease prevention.
Researchers discuss how PROM2 is a predictive biomarker of distant metastases and shorter survival among patients with stage III melanomas. They also demonstrate that runaway metastasis is closely linked to PROM2 overexpression, through increased epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition marker expression and ferroptosis resistance.
Researchers found that reactivating therapeutically-altered memories during sleep leads to more brain activity related to memory processing, associated with a reduction in PTSD symptoms. Targeted memory reactivation (TMR) also reduced the inclination to avoid traumatic memories in patients.
The study found that Tipuana tipu grows faster at higher temperatures and can contribute to urban climate resilience. The tree can thrive in restrictive weather conditions, providing ecosystem services such as carbon capture and temperature regulation.
Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation have discovered a treatment that speeds up the production of high-quality pluripotent stem cells in mice. The finding uses interferon gamma to accelerate cellular reprogramming, paving the way for improved disease modeling and personalized treatments.
Researchers tested GNSS data for rapid landslide prediction and found near real-time prediction possible within 40 minutes, according to Chen and colleagues. The study highlighted the importance of continuous monitoring and improved prediction models for regions susceptible to landslides.
A new article from Columbia University's Division of Ethics presents a set of recommendations to advance racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in bioethics. The guidelines emphasize the need for anti-racist practices within academic programs and provide concrete steps for implementing these principles.
The NHS is under scrutiny after investing $150m in a blood test called Galleri that promises to detect multiple types of cancer. Interim results have not been published, raising questions about the test's efficacy and the trial's ethics.
A study published in Cardiovascular Diabetology found that higher blood glucose levels at admission significantly increase the risk of a poor functional prognosis or death within three months of an ischemic stroke. The study revealed that even a 10% increase in glucose levels raises the risk by 7%, and mortality risk by 88%.
A new study suggests that increased knowledge can backfire when individuals prioritize their own interests over the greater good. The 'knowledge curse' concept, coined by Cornell University economists, highlights the potential for enhanced understanding to hinder cooperation and lead to worse outcomes.
New research published in The FASEB Journal shows that blocking CTLA-4 activates Th17 cells, increasing inflammation and damaging the heart. Inhibiting this activation reverses anti-CTLA-4-mediated heart damage.
The study found that sugary drink intake among children and adolescents increased by an average of 23% from 1990 to 2018, with the largest increases seen in sub-Saharan Africa. The global average intake was 3.6 standard servings per week, with significant variations by region, age, sex, parental education, and rural vs urban residence.
Researchers have developed AI systems that use photos or videos to create simulations for training robots in real settings. The RialTo system generates highly accurate simulations of specific environments, while the URDFormer system creates generic simulations quickly and cheaply. These advancements aim to lower costs and increase acce...
Researchers found that nanomaterials improve plant performance and mitigate salinity stress at lower dosages. However, higher doses can be toxic and worsen salinity stress. The findings suggest considering nanomaterials as a future option for managing salinity stress.
The impacts of natural disasters on plant health can be devastating, with the potential for direct effects from disasters like pathogen or vector dispersal. Human-driven disasters also create conditions favorable to the spread of plant pathogens, leading to crop loss and disease spread.
Researchers at Stanford University developed a nanoparticle platform to make vaccines more effective against various pathogens. The platform allows for the elicitation of different immune responses, enabling the identification of the most effective type of protection.
Researchers developed a method to reconstruct long-term backscatter coefficient data using Sentinel-1 and Landsat images. The technique accurately mapped changing building heights in Beijing and its surroundings over three decades, providing valuable insights into urban expansion and environmental issues.
Fatigue affects up to 90% of individuals with MS, significantly impacting their daily lives. The study proposes that disruptions in the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical loop contribute to central fatigue.
A study found that hospitalization of a relative increases the risk of MRSA infection in household members. The longer the relative's hospital stay, the higher the risk. Researchers recommend enhanced infection control practices to track and mitigate transmission.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have found that serotonin increases the amplitude of neural responses to food-related odors in locusts, while ignoring non-food smells. This discovery sheds light on how sensory signals are processed and could inspire solutions for odor detection in toxic environments.
Researchers have characterized cucumber centromeres, identifying key sequences and retrotransposons. The study highlights differences in centromeric DNA between wild and cultivated cucumbers, providing valuable information for improving genetic maps and breeding programs.
Researchers at University of South Florida found that sea surface temperatures in four estuaries in South Florida have risen faster than globally and in the Gulf of Mexico. The accelerated warming poses a threat to marine life, including algae, seagrass, and coral reefs.
Researchers developed a new phase characterization method for metalenses based on multi-distance phase retrieval through optical field scanning. This innovative approach overcomes traditional interferometric techniques' limitations, enabling the measurement of phase distributions and wavefront errors with higher accuracy.
A new study reveals that Azara's owl monkeys leave their parents due to a combination of social and ecological factors. The researchers found that seasonal changes in climate, arrival of stepparents, and resource availability affect the timing of dispersal. Owl monkeys disperse mainly in spring when food is abundant.
A UCLA researcher identified a compound that effectively jumpstarts the brain's memory circuitry, restoring cognitive functions in mice with Alzheimer's disease symptoms. The molecule, DDL-920, works by targeting specific neurons to enhance gamma oscillations, which are critical for memory and cognition.
Researchers from University of Chicago and Northwestern University suggest new approach to terraforming Mars using engineered dust particles. The proposed method is over 5,000 times more efficient than previous schemes, using resources readily available on Mars, making it a significant leap forward in modifying the Martian environment.
Researchers classify glioblastoma's molecular profiles to develop targeted therapies, offering a nuanced view of its adaptability and response to treatment pressures. This study enhances our comprehension of this aggressive cancer and paves the way for personalized medicine.
A team of archaeologists conducted the first-ever archeological survey in space on the International Space Station, using daily photos to document how astronauts actually used areas. The study found discrepancies between the intended and actual use of certain areas, with some being used for storage or personal items.
Researchers found that children's immune systems attacked their own tissues after latching onto a coronavirus protein resembling one found in multiple organs. Early intervention was crucial to prevent death in these cases, and the study has implications for understanding other autoimmune diseases.
A team of scientists created a new method to 3D print vascular networks that mimic naturally occurring blood vessels. After perfusion, the printed biomimetic vessels displayed healthy and functional heart tissue responses, including synchronization with cardiac drugs.
Researchers at Ehime University found that aluminum-enriched Superhydrous phase B (SuB) promotes unusual variations in velocities with increased water content. This discovery suggests that Al-bearing SuB may account for seismically visible anomalies at the bottom of the mantle transition region and beneath subduction zones.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have demonstrated a technique for creating strain sensors that can function both in air and underwater. The sensors, called 'amphibious,' enable applications such as wildlife monitoring and biomedical research.
A tailored, interactive text message intervention was found to increase self-reported vaping cessation rates among adolescents recruited via social media channels. The program effectively reduced dual use and prevented teens from starting to smoke.
A new global analysis found that children and adolescents aged 3-19 consumed nearly 23% more sugary drinks in 2018 compared to 1990. Intakes were higher among teens, urban residents, and those with lower education levels.
A study from the University of California, Berkeley, shows that nematodes react to pathogenic bacteria by destroying mitochondria to protect against iron-stealing bacteria. This protective response suggests that humans may also respond to the smell of pathogens to prepare their gut for infection.
A survey of UK registered dietitians revealed explicit and implicit weight bias attitudes, with nearly a quarter feeling their weight affects their professional performance. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing weight stigma in the dietetic profession to promote inclusivity and effective care.
A new study quantifies air pollution for NYC subway commuters, revealing disparities in exposure across racial and income groups. The research found that people from lower-income working communities have higher exposures and Black and Hispanic workers experience on average 35% and 23% higher PM2.5 exposure, respectively.
A CalTech research team has developed a noninvasive device that uses sound waves and ultrasound to measure true blood pressure continuously, providing full waveform data without the need for invasive procedures. The device holds promise for improved vital-sign monitoring at home, in hospitals, and in remote locations.
This innovative system combines remote health monitoring and drug delivery using 3D-printed hollow microneedles, advancing personalized medicine. The integrated theranostic microneedle array measures key health indicators like pH, glucose, and lactate levels, while enabling rapid, pumpless, and point-of-care drug administration.
Researchers studied pterosaurs' takeoff mechanism, finding they likely used all four limbs like modern bats. The study provides new insights into how these large animals achieved flight despite their massive size.
Researchers found that air pollution affects people differently, causing some to feel less aroused and more negative. The study suggests that this effect can contribute to increased anxiety risk and inform climate adaptation planning.
A research team from the University of Göttingen has developed a new method to analyze the oxygen isotope composition of coral skeletons, allowing for more accurate temperature reconstructions and insights into biomineralization processes. This breakthrough enables scientists to correct for 'vital effects' that can distort climate data.
A recent study by Stockholm University reveals that warming temperatures can speed up carbon dioxide emissions from ecosystems, but only if the environment is sufficiently moist. This finding highlights the critical role of water in the feedback loop between temperature and ecosystem metabolism.
The game illustrates how lifestyle choices, such as eating vegetables and drinking alcohol, impact the human microbiome. Researchers developed the game to provide a comprehensive overview of the microbiome in a fun and accessible way.
A new study from Murdoch Children's Research Institute has identified changes in certain blood proteins that can predict bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm babies. By combining these protein changes with gestational age, birth weight, and sex, clinicians can make more accurate predictions of BPD risk within 72 hours of life.
Researchers found that lemurs integrate sensory information with ecological and social knowledge to locate hidden fruit. The animals' ability to remember the location of the fruit weeks later demonstrates their complex cognitive abilities.
A new study found that living near areas where pesticides were used during the first trimester of pregnancy or pre-conception increases the risk of stillbirths. Researchers linked pesticide use records to state birth certificate data and found specific chemicals, such as organophosphates and pyrethroids, to be associated with increased...
Scientists equipped Australian sea lions with cameras and analyzed the footage to identify six benthic habitats in southern Australia. The study used machine learning models to predict large habitat areas across the continental shelf, contributing to a better understanding of the region's seabed diversity.
Researchers have uncovered new insights into how the brain regulates imitative behavior, a phenomenon that facilitates interaction and social cohesion. The study used advanced brain stimulation technique to pinpoint the causal role of different circuits in facilitating or inhibiting automatic imitation.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have unveiled an eco-friendly method to extract rare metals from semiconductor waste, recovering precious tungsten and assessing its economic viability. The bioleaching process, using a fungus to dissolve metals, is found to be 7% cheaper than traditional methods.
Researchers from Poland developed an ice cream made from mare's milk blended with cow's cream, which may have beneficial probiotic qualities. The study found that this unique combination could lead to the creation of synbiotic ice cream production, potentially offering a new approach to probiotic supplements.
A Dartmouth study suggests that social rank determines whether animals prioritize short-term energy consumption over long-term health, with dominant monkeys consuming food quickly to maintain dominance, while lower-ranked monkeys invest time in washing their food to prevent tooth damage. The findings shed light on the disposable soma h...
A new study suggests that MRI scans can help doctors identify patients with more aggressive prostate cancer, allowing for earlier treatment or active surveillance. The research found that suspicious lesions on an MRI test were associated with a higher risk of advanced disease in five years.
Researchers have trained dogs to sniff out Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the droppings of farmed and wild deer. This method offers a promising non-invasive approach for detecting CWD.
A new Edith Cowan University study found that men who frequently stare at women's bodies are more likely to harbor harmful attitudes and exhibit behaviors that may lead to sexual assault. The study validates the 'pervasive body gaze scale' as a reliable marker for sexual objectification and assault propensity.
Researchers developed an inexpensive, water-powered electric bandage that accelerates wound healing in chronic wounds. The bandage produces an electric field that promotes healing and reduces inflammation, with animals treated with the bandage showing a 30% faster rate of wound closure.
Researchers found that when participants were told their decisions would train an AI bot, they became more likely to seek a fair share of the payout. This behavior persisted even after the experiment ended, suggesting a lasting impact on decision-making.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland shows that a healthy diet and regular exercise can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes even in individuals with a high genetic risk. Lifestyle changes significantly improved glucose metabolism and reduced the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, regardless of genetic risk.
Researchers discovered a novel energy transfer channel between magnons and phonons in an antiferromagnet under Fermi resonance, enabling future control of such systems for faster data storage. This breakthrough could lead to increased operational frequencies and enhanced efficiency of magnetic writing.