Adolescent drug use has continued to drop in 2024, with record levels of abstention reported across all three grades. Abstention rates reached 67% in 12th grade, 80% in 10th grade, and 90% in eighth grade.
Jefferson Lab is investing $3 million in 13 proof-of-principle projects to explore new ideas and technologies, including nuclear physics, particle accelerator science, and computational science. The LDRD program aims to foster creativity and exploration of cutting-edge research.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a genetic twist in cyanobacteria, allowing them to produce two forms of the enzyme RuBisCo, which could enhance carbon storage. This adaptation may play a crucial role in ocean carbon sequestration and has potential implications for more efficient crop production.
A new system combines vibrational and sound feedback to help users navigate complex environments safely and effectively. The research, tested in a virtual reality setting, shows promise in reducing collisions and improving mobility for individuals with visual impairments.
The Event Horizon Telescope has taken detailed measurements of a galaxy's supermassive black hole and its powerful jets. The research reveals strong magnetic fields close to the event horizon and estimates their strength, consistent with previous estimates.
Researchers at UChicago captured complete images of adhesion G protein-coupled receptors, revealing their complex extracellular region's interaction with the transmembrane region. The findings suggest alternative means of activating the receptor without separating the GAIN domain.
Researchers analyzed 826 string figures from 92 cultures worldwide and found 83 recurring designs, suggesting ancient cultural origins. The study's computational method enabled the construction of a 'family tree' for string figures, offering insights into human creativity, cognitive evolution, and mathematical thinking.
The AIRCARE Project will introduce AI-powered systems for real-time diagnosis and precision CO2 laser surgery, improving outcomes for UADT cancer patients. The project aims to reduce positive margins, enhance surgical precision and ease of use, transforming quality of life.
Researchers at UT will create a wind tunnel to test high-temperature ceramics under hypersonic conditions, crucial for space shuttle development. The project aims to develop new thermal protection system materials and improve workforce capabilities.
A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that adherence to national medical guidelines for using antiviral medications in young children with influenza is limited. Almost half of hospitalized children did not receive antiviral therapy, highlighting the need for improved clinical testing and treatment.
The Keck School of Medicine of USC has joined the Ryght Research Network to leverage AI tools and optimize cancer clinical trials. The collaboration aims to offer more clinical trials to patients, build new AI tools, and speed up the development of medical treatments.
A new study found that heat therapy positively modulates multiple physiological parameters in APP/PS1 mice, with improved memory in males and worsening effects on females. This highlights the importance of personalized treatments based on sex-specific responses to therapy.
Researchers highlight the risks of bypassing natural selection in assisted reproductive technologies (ART), which can lead to deleterious epigenetic changes and increased health problems. They propose applying evolutionary principles to ART protocols to improve outcomes for human ART and animal production.
Prof. Stephen Baylin, Prof. Peter Jones, and Prof. Andrew Feinberg will receive the Harvey Prize for their groundbreaking work in cancer epigenetics, transforming our understanding of cellular function and disease progression. Their research has led to new diagnostic approaches and accelerated treatments targeting epigenetic mechanisms.
A new study from Penn State found that parents who experienced difficult childhoods provided an average of $2,200 less for their children's college education. This suggests that intergenerational monetary exchanges could influence the next generation's success, with even parents' current socioeconomic status mattering.
The innovative vision of Genomic Press is shaped by the story of Flicts, a tale about a color that found its true home on the moon. The publisher supports research that transcends traditional academic boundaries, providing a home for ideas that could reshape our understanding of science.
Researchers at Flinders University and Baylor University have made a breakthrough in generating sustainable and efficient hydrogen from water using solar power. A novel solar cell process, combined with a catalyst, could be used to produce pollution-free hydrogen energy.
A new study published in Psychedelics found that psychedelic therapy facilitators express optimism about benefits while maintaining awareness of potential risks. The research highlights the need for robust safety protocols while maintaining optimism about therapeutic potential.
Researchers at Eötvös Loránd University found that dogs can recognize their owners based on pre-recorded speech, demonstrating an ability to discriminate between familiar voices. Dogs performed well in matching the correct owner with their voice, with performance best when hearing their main owner's voice.
A study found a strong link between woody cover and large wildfire occurrence in the eastern US, with a 37% increase in woody vegetation over the last 30 years. In some regions, such as eastern Texas and the Appalachian Mountains, each 1% increase in woody cover led to a 3.9% increase in wildfire risk.
The study aims to identify early warning signs and potential treatment for cerebral small vessel disease, a condition linked to vascular dementia. Researchers will analyze cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissues using cutting-edge technologies to map mRNA within cells affected by the disease.
A recent SFU study reveals how indirect brain damage affects thalamus function after a stroke, potentially leading to new treatments. Researchers found that the amount of damage to the thalamus correlates with the level of impairment in patients.
A Phase I clinical trial demonstrated long-term safety and feasibility of neural stem cell transplantation for treating chronic spinal cord injuries. Two patients showed durable evidence of neurological improvement with increased motor and sensory scores.
A phase 1/2 clinical trial has demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of the AEF0217 molecule in improving cognitive function in people with Down syndrome. Measured outcomes showed significant improvements in behavioral skills, social interactions, and cognitive flexibility.
A study by UCSF researchers found that language, education, and age affect someone's ability to engage with digital health tools. Young English speakers are most comfortable using digital health tools, but others face barriers due to limited education or language proficiency.
A new study by Murdoch Children's Research Institute found that 64% of adolescents reported symptoms three or more times across their adolescent years. Girls were at increased risk and more likely to have a chronic course. Preventive strategies are urgently needed to address this public health problem.
Researchers at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences have discovered that macrophages, a type of immune cell, work differently throughout the day due to the body's internal clock. This daily rhythm determines when immune cells are most efficient at detecting threats and mounts a response.
A new polymer material can store more data than traditional hard disk drives, with the ability to be erased and recycled in a sustainable way. The polymer's unique structure allows for mechanical force to encode data via indents, which can then be rapidly reorganized upon heating.
The study uses generative AI to identify and optimize potent and selective HPK1 inhibitors for immunotherapy. The results show a relatively balanced candidate compound with adequate in vitro ADME, in vivo PK properties, good oral bioavailability, and robust in vivo efficacy in various cancer models.
A new study from the University of Oregon shows how Vibrio cholerae bacteria activate the immune system to trigger painful gut contractions. The research also finds a more general explanation for how the gut rids itself of unwanted intruders, which could help scientists better understand chronic conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.
Researchers have developed peptide-guided nanoparticles that can target specific cells in the brain, including neurons, marking a significant step toward potential mRNA treatments for neurological diseases. The innovation uses peptides to precisely deliver mRNA to endothelial cells lining blood vessels and neurons.
Researchers developed a new benchmark for health care using reinforcement learning, which shows promise in managing chronic or psychiatric diseases. However, current methods are data-hungry and fail to perform accurately when tested on real-world data.
Researchers used zebrafish to test ketamine's effects on depression, revealing that the drug suppresses 'giving up' behavior by overstimulating astroglia cells. This finding suggests a potential new approach for treating depression by targeting these non-neuronal cells.
Researchers decipher the cryo-EM structure of a spinach PSII-LHCII megacomplex, revealing architectural principles for higher-order assembly and potential regulatory mechanisms. The study identifies PsbR and PsbY as small membrane proteins regulating PSII function.
A UK study published in Diabetic Medicine found that over half of pregnant women with gestational diabetes were undiagnosed due to slow NHS blood test processing. Faster blood processing identified additional cases, leading to improved health outcomes for mothers and babies.
Researchers at MSK Cancer Center made significant advancements in understanding cancer biology, developing CAR T cells for blood cancers, and creating an AI tool to predict immune checkpoint inhibitor responses. Fasting was also explored as a strategy to reprogram natural killer immune cells and improve cancer-fighting abilities.
Researchers from the University of Surrey found that vegetarians who consumed plant-based meat alternatives had a 42% increased risk of depression compared to those who refrained. However, they also found lower levels of inflammation and a reduced risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
A nearly complete leg and well-preserved fossils from a small to medium-sized carnivorous animal were found in Mallorca. The discovery, dating back 270 million years, sheds light on the evolution of mammals.
A new study found that low to moderate wine drinking reduces the risk of serious cardiovascular disease by 50% in people at high risk who follow a Mediterranean diet. The researchers measured tartaric acid in urine to provide an objective measure of wine consumption, showing a greater protective effect than previous studies.
Researchers found that animal-based products account for nearly 60% of agriculture's energy footprint worldwide. Despite improving efficiency, the world still relies heavily on fossil fuels to produce food, posing a risk to energy security and food supply.
Researchers found that a blunted response to reward feedback in teens predicts the first onset of depression, but not anxiety or suicidal ideation. This study contributes to understanding neural risk factors for mental health disorders and developing new methods to assess mental health risks.
The study found that less complete forms of solitude, such as reading in a café or listening to music while commuting, offer advantages over intense solitary activities. Solitude helps build connectedness, a key factor in overall health and well-being, but excessive intensity can deplete both energy and connection.
A new tool developed by Penn State researchers uses computer vision and artificial intelligence to analyze placenta images, detecting abnormalities and risks such as neonatal sepsis. The PlacentaCLIP+ model has the potential to transform neonatal and maternal care in low- and high-resource settings.
Researchers found that large language models adjust their responses to appear more desirable when given the Big Five personality test. This 'social desirability bias' suggests that LLMs can emulate human-like preferences for certain personalities.
A recent University of New Hampshire study gauges public opinion on three fare policies aimed at reducing emissions. The standard policy, where all passengers pay a uniform price, is the most accepted approach, while nearly 60% express concerns about weight-based policies citing potential fairness issues and discrimination.
EBViously aims to prevent infectious mononucleosis and secondary diseases such as ME/CFS, while also protecting against certain types of cancer. The company's innovative vaccine candidate uses virus-like particles derived from EBV to trigger a targeted immune response.
A new study found that clinicians who hear patients described with negatively biased language develop less empathy towards the patient and become less accurate in recalling their critical health details. Standardized handoffs with neutral, medically relevant facts can help prevent bias and improve patient care.
Researchers have refined the timing and duration of Ocean Anoxic Event 1a, an extreme environmental disruption that caused significant extinction among plankton. The study determined OAE 1a lasted for just over 1.1 million years, providing valuable insights into Earth's climate and ocean system.
A study by Durham University found that bonobos orphaned by the illegal trade in bushmeat and pets can develop social abilities despite early life trauma. Researchers observed 83 bonobos at different stages of their lives, finding that female bonobos' social skills increased with age, while males' decreased, similar to wild interactions.
Researchers identified YTHDF2 as a key player in advancing blood cancers, which can help cancer cells evade immune system detection. A new compound CCI-38 targets and suppresses YTHDF2, reducing aggressive blood cancer growth.
Recent data from the Monitoring the Future Survey show stable and declining trends in substance use among young people, with reported use of most drugs holding steady since 2021. The survey found that adolescents most commonly reported use of alcohol, nicotine vaping, and cannabis, with levels generally declining over the past few years.
The development of magnetometers by Southwest Research Institute will measure the interplanetary magnetic field carried by the solar wind and provide critical data for NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. The instruments will help mitigate space weather impacts on electrical power grids, satellite communication, and navigation systems.
Researchers developed a unique numerical decision-making framework for solar panel protection against extreme weather conditions. The framework treats individual panels as independent decision-makers, identifying creative solutions to reduce stress and minimize damage during high-wind events.
Astronomers have discovered the first binary star orbiting close to Sagittarius A*, a supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy. This finding provides new insights into how stars survive in extreme environments and could pave the way for detecting planets near black holes.
Two studies reveal complex and flexible visual information processing in the brain's cortex and thalamus. Researchers identified pathways that selectively channel visual signals to targeted areas or broadcast information broadly across multiple regions.
Researchers developed a compact hyperspectral Raman imaging lidar system for remote detection and identification of plastics. The system can identify plastics from 6 meters away with high accuracy, offering a valuable tool for monitoring and analysis of oceanic plastic pollution.
A Dutch cohort study found that early-life moderate to vigorous physical activity was not associated with executive function in middle childhood. In contrast, children who participated in team sports at ages 10 to 11 showed superior executive function compared to those participating in individual sports.
A new study has uncovered a rare plant fossil with unusual flowers, fruits, and stems that does not belong to any living family or genus. The discovery suggests there may be more diversity in the fossil record of flowering plants than previously recognized.
A team of physicists has validated string theory by developing an innovative mathematical method that points to its inevitability. This breakthrough uses the bootstrap principle to show that string theory is the only consistent answer for scattering amplitudes, bringing researchers closer to understanding the universe.
A researcher has defined kindness in healthcare as a set of actions to help others flourish, informed by empathy or proactively chosen. This definition aims to improve patient safety, experiences, and outcome measures by enhancing communication within healthcare teams and with patients.