Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a new method for chemical plastics recycling that breaks down long-chain polymer molecules into monomers, creating high-quality plastics. The approach involves adding a powdered catalyst to molten plastic and stirring it with an impeller, resulting in improved mixing and fewer byproducts.
A new study published in Nature Communications Earth and Environment suggests that greater education about sustainable agriculture is needed to support farmers. The research aims to clear up confusion between 'organic' and 'regenerative' farming, highlighting the importance of valuing quality and sustainability over cost.
A recent study found that synthetic opioid drug overdoses are becoming increasingly common in Australia, particularly due to the presence of fentanyl. The researchers highlighted the need for safe consumption spaces and increased awareness about the risks of fentanyl contamination.
A study found that Brazilian women are giving birth too early, impairing the health of their babies, due to manipulation of birth timing around Carnival. Preterm deliveries via cesarean section lead to reduced gestational age and birth weight, especially in high-risk pregnancies.
A new course launched with funding from the UK Space Agency to address the growing skills gap in software, data, and AI for the UK space sector. The Securing the future of space: Space Software and Data/AI CPD programme will equip mid-career professionals with expertise in AI and data-science.
The study reveals that light-sensitive channels can be used to target specific ion signals in plants, allowing for the comparison of different signaling pathways. This breakthrough enables researchers to investigate plant stress responses in greater detail.
The LENN system protects and efficiently releases NA therapies within the cytoplasm of target cells, overcoming low efficiencies and immune system clearance issues. It is biomanufacturable, biodegradable, and highly tunable, targeting a variety of cells depending on their tumor-specific surface markers.
A study by University of Jyväskylä found that chronic exposure to manganese sulphate hampers the growth and alters behaviour of zebra fish. Fish with fast life-history traits were more sensitive to pollution, showing slower growth and lower condition factors.
A comprehensive brain imaging study found that diabetes and prediabetes are associated with accelerated brain ageing, with brains appearing 0.5-4 years older than chronological age. A healthy lifestyle may help counteract this effect, with associations attenuated among people with high physical activity.
Researchers use high-resolution mass spectrometry to analyze fuels and complex petroleum products, revealing compositional changes in weathered crude oil. The studies provide useful information for oil spill cleanup and exposure concerns, and may lead to significant advancements in fuel formulation and handling.
Patients with early-onset colorectal cancer living in rural areas had lower 5-year survival rates compared to urban counterparts. Persistent poverty in these areas may compound this association, affecting overall survival outcomes.
A recent study suggests that fear of conflict significantly impacted the development of prehistoric European societies, leading to population declines and concentrations in safer locations. The researchers' computational model matches archaeological evidence, providing context for future refinements to modeling.
Researchers developed novel naphthalene derivatives with air stability for aqueous organic flow batteries. These molecules achieved long-term stable cycling even under air-atmosphere conditions, demonstrating promising potential for sustainable energy storage.
Recent years have seen therapeutic advances in kidney cancer due to deeper understanding of the disease's biology, with improved treatments and early detection contributing to decreased deaths. Cigarette smoking and being overweight remain major risk factors for kidney cancer.
Researchers investigated the central role of Sae2 in regulating yeast DNA repair. A recent study found that Sae2 controls Mre11 endo- and exonuclease activities via different mechanisms, essential for maintaining genetic information.
Researchers found that cactus diversity is driven by temperature range, sand content in the soil, and seasonal changes. Mexico has the highest biodiversity but lowest rate of speciation due to slower extinction rates.
Researchers used AlphaFold2 to predict structural effects of mutations on protein stability, finding correlations between small structural changes and stability changes. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for protein engineering, enabling scientists to design proteins with specific functions more effectively.
Little Penguins can hear sounds across a broad range between 200 and 6,000 Hz underwater, similar to other diving birds. Continuous exposure to high noise levels may increase stress and interfere with feeding behaviors.
A new study from Texas McCombs finds that accumulating 'likes' can lead to fewer clicks for assertive CTA ads, but more clicks for informational ads. The researchers discovered that users respond positively to 'likes' from friends with similar interests, while those with dissimilar interests have a negative effect.
Researchers found that brief, temporary changes to bacterial gene regulation imprint lasting changes within the network that are passed on to offspring. This discovery challenges long-held assumptions of how simple organisms transmit and inherit physical traits.
Researchers have found a new brain mechanism that detects prediction errors between expected and actual sensory inputs, boosting responses to unexpected information. This discovery could offer insights into the neural circuits underlying autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs).
Researchers have found that natural killer cells instinctively recognize and attack the XPO1 protein, which drives cancer growth. By targeting this protein, scientists may be able to activate more killer cells to destroy cancer cells. The study suggests that this approach could lead to personalized cancer treatment with less side effects.
A new study from Imperial College London reveals that current projections for scaling up carbon storage technologies are unlikely to meet ambitious climate change targets. The researchers estimate that a more realistic global benchmark for CO2 storage is in the range of 5-6 gigatonnes per year by 2050.
Scientists at the University of São Paulo found that converting degraded land to climate-smart agricultural practices can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil. The study highlights the need for more data and research opportunities to support the development of carbon markets and green finance mechanisms.
A research team led by Magnus Wolf-Watz at Umeå University has discovered the chemistry behind the cell's energy molecule ATP. They found that a small angle change caused by magnesium can significantly speed up the chemical reaction producing ATP, linking structure and catalytic effect.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered a strategy to kill breast cancer cells and shrink tumors by depriving them of two vital nutrients: glutamine and its backup supply, alpha-ketoglutarate. This approach was successful in lab experiments and effective in treating tumors in mice.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that general exercise programs can reduce urinary incontinence symptoms almost as much as pelvic floor yoga. The LILA study involved 240 women who experienced urinary incontinence at least daily, and randomly assigned them to either a pelvic yoga program or a physical condit...
A new study published in JRSM Open found that pain is the most prevalent and severe symptom reported by individuals with long Covid, affecting 26.5% of participants. Demographic factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, education level, and socioeconomic status significantly impact symptom severity.
Researchers found that sincerity, networking ability, and interpersonal influence are key to successful transitions, but excessive social astuteness can backfire by validating concerns. Effective leadership skills enable leaders to build commitment and clarity among teams, even in time-limited situations.
Silent gene mutations may have significant consequences beyond their own gene, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Researchers found that synonymous mutations in one gene can increase the production of a neighboring gene by recruiting RNA polymerase to cryptic transcription sites.
Research suggests that diagnostic labels for people experiencing mild mental health issues can increase empathy and support, but also undermine perceived agency and expectations of overcoming problems. This study found varying responses depending on the disorder, with some conditions eliciting high empathy and accommodation support.
A new study by Durham University found that almost half of dyslexia professionals believe in unproven indicators, such as reading letters in reverse order or high levels of creativity. The researchers are calling for government policy to guide evidence-based assessment procedures to prevent misdiagnosis.
A novel study in Japan identifies key training needs among English teachers to provide more inclusive education for students with disabilities. Most participants felt unprepared and needed targeted training, especially in differentiation and specific considerations for teaching students with diverse needs.
Researchers report progress in ozone monitoring from space, improving product accuracy and spatial resolution, essential for effective pollution control and air quality management.
A new study analyzing maternal mortality data finds that COVID-19, not restrictive abortion laws, drove a decline in maternal deaths after the Dobbs decision. The researchers adjusted for statistical artifacts from the pandemic to reveal a more accurate picture of maternal mortality trends.
Researchers developed a novel bacterial vaccine targeting F. nucleatum to enhance chemotherapy efficacy and reduce cancer metastasis in CRC patients. The nanovaccine selectively eliminates tumor-colonizing bacteria while preserving the gut microbiome, offering a promising therapeutic strategy.
The study reveals that cofilin binding to actin filaments is structure-dependent and influenced by flexibility and helical twists. This understanding challenges traditional views of actin dynamics and sheds light on the complex interactions between actin-binding proteins.
Rice engineers developed an automated data fusion framework called OpenSafe Fusion to sense quickly evolving road conditions during urban flooding events. The framework leverages existing individual reporting mechanisms and public data sources, predicting whether a road is flooded or not.
The BioFoundry laboratory will focus on developing techniques to learn from extreme microorganisms with unusual nutritional requirements, high or low temperatures, and oxygen-free growth. Researchers aim to harness their characteristics for applications in fuels synthesis, water pollution cleanup, and soil remediation.
A study by Florida Atlantic University and the University of Tübingen found that rainfall cools beach surfaces and enhances moisture for egg development, making it a crucial factor in determining hatchling body size. The research suggests that global warming may shorten incubation periods and disrupt growth, affecting sea turtle survival.
Closing Colorado's 'free river conditions' loophole could save millions of cubic meters of water and reduce stress in the region. The loophole allows anyone to take as much water as they want from the river, threatening the success of any payment program for farmers not irrigating their land.
A study of 8,000 community-dwelling adults reveals that loneliness in later life is strongly associated with death ideation, but engaging in social activities, particularly religious services, can protect against this. The research highlights the critical issue of social disconnection and its link to a 'wish to die' among older adults.
A new universal acceleration tool can speed up virtually any kind of simulation, from materials science to climate change research, by leveraging machine learning algorithms. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and sustainable technologies, as well as the ability to model complex phenomena like glacial melting.
Researchers at Osaka University discovered that a protein sensitive to electrical signals plays a key role in promoting proper sperm development and maturation. The study's findings suggest that the protein, known as VSP, converts electrical signals into chemical signals necessary for sperm maturation.
Researchers have proposed a new scenario for rapid neutron capture process (r-process) nucleosynthesis in common envelope jet supernovae (CEJSNe), producing the greatest abundance of elements heavier than lanthanides. This finding suggests that CEJSNe is critical for explaining the characteristics of r-enhanced metal-poor stars.
A team of scientists developed a special light microscopy system to analyze molecular density in cellular environments. They found that crowding around chromosomes increases during cell division, leading to a rise in depletion attraction, which renders chromosomes more rigid and ensures accurate transmission.
Prescriptions for first-generation antihistamines were associated with a 22% higher seizure risk in children aged 6-24 months. The study emphasizes the need for careful prescription of these medications in young children.
A study published in PLOS Global Public Health found associations between depression and unhealthy commodities such as alcohol, tobacco, gambling, social media, ultra-processed foods, and air pollution. The review also highlighted links between these commodities and suicide, self-harm, and anxiety.
The atlas contains data for around 626,000 cells from 121 people, including individuals with and without endometriosis. Researchers found two types of immune cells and two types of stromal cells potentially involved in endometriosis, highlighting new avenues for future research.
A WVU statistician is developing new methods to analyze curve-type data for predicting extreme weather patterns, financial turmoil and pollution levels. The research aims to create innovative tools for understanding high-resolution data and addressing regional risks in mountainous states like West Virginia.
The Public Health Career Explorer assesses users' interests and provides matching public health careers with varying levels of preparation. The tool also offers job openings across the country, supporting local health departments in recruitment and retention efforts.
Researchers found that dark matter radiation could heat hydrogen gas long enough for gravity to condense it into clouds big and dense enough to turn into supermassive black holes. This process bypasses the need for stellar burning, accretion, and mergers, which typically take billions of years.
Researchers at Graz University of Technology developed two techniques to join wood with metals and polymer composites without adhesives or screws. The AddJoining technique uses 3D printing to create strong joints, while the Ultrasonic Joining method employs high-frequency vibration to melt polymer into wood pores. These methods show pr...
Researchers have made progress in understanding how genetics and lifestyle factors influence dementia risk through epigenetics. DNA methylation signatures in blood can mirror protein biomarker levels in spinal fluid samples, used for diagnosing dementia.
A study from University of Gothenburg links work-related pain to mental illness among construction workers. Managers' empathetic or neglectful attitudes are highlighted as key factors in mental health.
A study found that substituting lower-wage nursing staff for RNs leads to increased mortality rates, readmissions, and prolonged hospital stays. Hospitals experience a negative return on investment under this model.
Global ecosystems take longer than 5 months to recover from compound hot-dry events, with an average extension of over 1 month compared to dry events. This delay is more severe in drylands, where the impact of increased VPD on ecosystem recovery is pronounced.
Researchers at Macquarie University have developed a new way to produce ultraviolet light sensors using acetic acid vapour, improving performance without high-temperature processing. The study shows the sensors can be made more responsive and reliable by exposing them to vinegar vapour for around 15 minutes.
A new study from the University of Tsukuba introduces a method to measure boredom in the body during temporary stress, revealing that it may be a key driver of subjective stress. The study used Integrated Information Theory to evaluate physiological signals and found a strong correlation between boredom and stress levels.
Scientists discovered the highest natural blood sugar levels in mammals, found in a species of bats that can survive on a diet rich in sugars. The study's findings suggest that these bats have evolved unique strategies for glucose regulation, which may hold potential for managing metabolic diseases in humans.