The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) has released a points to consider statement on the safety and efficacy of polygenic risk score assessment for embryo selection. The statement concludes that there is insufficient evidence to support its clinical utility, and further research is needed.
A global study led by the University of Surrey reveals that green spaces like parks, wetlands, and botanical gardens can cool city air significantly during heatwaves. The study found that bigger parks have a greater cooling effect, and connecting green spaces into 'green corridors' can unlock greater benefits.
Researchers found benralizumab comparable to mepolizumab in inducing remission and reducing relapse in EGPA patients. The study also showed benralizumab reduces need for oral glucocorticoids and lowers blood eosinophil counts.
Researchers have identified two essential ferredoxins that play a key role in determining the performance of iron nitrogenase. The discovery opens up new possibilities for elucidating and maximizing nitrogenase's potential, which could lead to sustainable enzymatic production of ammonia and carbon compounds.
A new study tested cognitive behavioral therapy and trazodone for treating sleeplessness in dialysis patients, finding no meaningful difference in symptoms. The researchers suggest that multiple medical conditions and medication interactions may be driving the insomnia.
A team of researchers from Japan developed a novel nanostructured germanium-carbon multilayered anode that significantly increases the capacity of lithium-ion batteries. The anode demonstrated high discharge capacity and retained its performance after multiple charging cycles.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan are revisiting old building practices to improve sustainability. They found that wood fly ash can enhance the strength of rammed earth construction, reducing sand exploitation and increasing insulation properties.
A new brain stimulation technique called Patterned Low-Intensity Low-Frequency Ultrasound (LILFUS) has been developed by researchers at the Institute for Basic Science. This non-invasive method uses ultrasound to induce long-lasting changes in brain function and has shown promise in treating various neurological disorders.
The Almodóvar lab is studying the link between HIV and pulmonary hypertension, a condition that increases pressure in lung arteries. By examining the interactions between different cell types and using a humanized mouse model, researchers hope to propose novel therapies to prevent lung diseases in people with HIV.
Researchers in New Hampshire are investigating the decline of the state's fisher population with a new $1.2 million grant, tracking populations and analyzing tissue samples for toxins and diseases.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge found that patients who see their regular doctor wait longer between visits, but this is offset by improved productivity. The study suggests a 5% reduction in consultations if all practices provide continuity of care, which could benefit both patients and the NHS.
Researchers from Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf discovered a novel genetic regulator of flowering time in barley, enabling the plants to speed up development during short days. This mutation makes barley nearly immune to photoperiod limitations, allowing for cultivation in marginal environments with sub-optimal growing conditions.
Researchers have identified 13 strategies to advance racial and ethnic equity in the academic health sciences. The 'roadmap' aims to create more diverse and equitable graduate health programs.
A statewide genomic screening program enrolls first 20,000 participants, providing information on genetic risk factors for diseases such as hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. The program aims to empower communities to understand the value of research and increase participation rates among underrepresented groups.
A recent study examines the effect of relative performance evaluation on employee mental well-being, revealing potential drawbacks such as unhealthy competition and unfairness. The research uses a field experiment with 200 participants to gather insights into this critical workplace issue.
Researchers have created a computer using an array of VCSELs that leverages optical feedback to efficiently solve complex optimization problems. The system encodes information in linear polarization states, minimizing interactions between variables and overcoming the von Neumann bottleneck.
Researchers found that personal lies result in lower rates of deception due to moral costs, while non-personal information leads to higher lying rates. This study contributes to understanding the complex relationship between morality and economic behavior.
A novel chemotherapy approach uses patient's own cells as Trojan horses to deliver targeted cancer-killing drugs to lung cancer cells. The method has shown promise in reducing tumor size and improving treatment efficacy with minimal collateral damage to healthy tissues.
Research shows that undersea anchors of ice, known as pinning points, are shrinking at more than twice the rate compared to 50 years ago. This accelerated unanchoring of Antarctic ice shelves is expected to accelerate sea-level rise and global carbon emissions.
A recent study found that recreational marijuana laws are associated with a 10% rise in workplace injuries among individuals aged 20-34, likely due to impaired cognitive function and care. The study suggests that these laws may have unintended consequences for worker safety.
Researchers offer a 'roadmap' of evidence-based strategies to increase racial and ethnic equity in graduate-level health programs. The 13 strategies outlined in the study aim to reduce institutional racism and create welcoming spaces for diverse students, staff, and faculty.
Researchers have identified a new therapeutic option for patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), a rare autoimmune disease. Benralizumab has been shown to be non-inferior to mepolizumab in reducing exacerbations and providing disease remission, with the added benefit of reduced oral corticosteroid use.
Researchers at Aston University will explore gel electrolyte materials to improve lithium-ion batteries' safety and environmental sustainability. The project aims to replace harmful components with renewable ionogels, addressing the need for scalable methods of storing electrical energy.
A new research project led by Professor David Lo aims to develop an approach to find cybersecurity weaknesses in software applications' source code. The project proposes building a localised and specialised LLM solution to discover vulnerabilities in government code base, leveraging open-source projects and communities.
A recent study by Singapore Management University researchers used machine learning to develop a personalized decision support tool for ICU patients. The analysis indicates that incorporating predictive information can reduce ICU length of stay and extubation failure rates, leading to improved patient outcomes.
A new study reveals that genetic variants associated with hypertension can increase the risk of high blood pressure from as early as three years old. By analyzing health data from large population studies, researchers found that these genetic factors can significantly affect blood pressure levels throughout life and even beyond adulthood.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that vaccinated adults with hematologic cancers were at high risk of severe COVID-19, even after receiving treatment. The study included 6,122 patients and showed no significant decline in severe cases through mid-2022.
Researchers at ULiège found that hearing relaxing words during sleep slows down cardiac activity, reflecting deeper sleep. This discovery provides insight into brain-heart interactions during sleep and challenges traditional views of the sleeping body as disconnected from the external world.
A study found that 2-methylbutyrylcarnitine (2MBC), a gut microbial metabolite, exacerbates thrombosis and is accumulated in COVID-19 patients. Elevated 2MBC levels are associated with increased blood clot risk, suggesting a potential mechanism linking gut microbiota dysbiosis to cardiovascular disease.
Researchers suggest Carolina azolla, a fast-growing aquatic fern, has the nutritional content to serve as a potentially vital food source after a catastrophe or disaster. The study found that cooking methods can significantly reduce polyphenolic content, making it digestible for humans.
A new study found that mass shooting lockdown drills help children who have been exposed to violence feel safer, contradicting previous research conclusions. Lockdown drills may be a way to help students who have been exposed to violence feel safer in schools.
Researchers in Canada develop a new method to control the pepper weevil using gamma irradiation. The study found that insects sterilized at 110 Gy are completely sterile and cannot reproduce, making it an effective strategy for managing this economically significant crop pest.
Plant cells respond to blue light by forming biomolecular condensates in the cell nucleus, where transcription factors like FIT accumulate. These condensates may play a regulatory role in iron uptake, allowing for spatially and temporally flexible platforms for signalling.
Research from Cornell University reveals that newborn T cells are more efficient at responding to early stages of an infection and defending against unknown bacteria, parasites, and viruses. This discovery clarifies why infants respond differently to infections, paving the way for therapeutic applications.
New research suggests that direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are less effective and safer in certain patient scenarios, such as those with mechanical heart valves or thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome. DOACs should not be the standard treatment for all patients who need to treat or prevent blood clots.
Researchers found that streams with ample groundwater connections have greater microbial diversity and are more effective at preventing toxic metal entry. They also better detoxify existing metals.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong developed mixed-dimensional anti-ambipolar transistors for multifunctional electronics, enabling higher information density and lower power consumption. The new technology paves the way for simplified chip circuit design and versatile applications in digital and analog signal processing.
The Digital Urban Climate Twin (DUCT) system models urban spaces to simulate different scenarios and understand the impact of urban heat on microclimate. The system aims to reduce urban heat and promote thermal comfort for residents of Singapore, with a beta version already released for testing.
Researchers at PolyU have developed a novel biomineralization strategy to prevent microbially induced corrosion on concrete for sustainable marine infrastructure. The technique isolates concrete from corrosive microorganisms, extending the lifespan of structures and reducing environmental impact.
Physicists at the University of Southampton successfully detect weak gravitational pull on microscopic particles using a new technique. The experiment, published in Science Advances, could pave the way to finding the elusive quantum gravity theory.
Researchers developed novel algorithms to correct inertial navigation errors in underwater navigation, offering improved precision and reliability. The RMAN and VLBL algorithms leverage sparse acoustic beacon interactions to amend inertial navigation inaccuracies.
A new study published in PeerJ Life & Environment has identified seven critical gene targets crucial for the survival of African cassava whiteflies. These genes play key roles in osmoregulation and symbiosis, regulating physiological processes vital for the pest's survival.
A new study using a high-resolution global climate model found that cloud clustering causes more extreme rain in the tropics, leading to increased severity of precipitation events. The researchers also discovered that more extreme rain occurs at the cost of expansion of dry areas, further shifting towards extreme weather patterns.
Researchers highlight difficulties in targeting metastatic tumors and propose two- and three-drug combinations to achieve effective tumor control. They also emphasize the need for simultaneous blocking of primary driving oncogene, evolving resistance mechanism, and secondary survival pathway.
A new dual-energy harvesting device developed by Penn State scientists can generate 300% higher power than current devices, enabling miniaturized biomedical applications. The device converts magnetic field and ultrasound energy into electricity, offering a safe and efficient solution for powering wireless medical implants.
A new study from Stanford University evaluates the effectiveness of patient mindset training on provider learning and behavior. The training aimed to improve care teams' ability to shape patients' mindsets about their treatment, care team, body, and illness. Participants reported a better understanding of mindset and increased apprecia...
A University of Oklahoma researcher has made promising discoveries on the role of vitamin B6 in pancreatic cancer. By understanding how pancreatic cancer cells deplete vitamin B6, she developed a three-part strategy to impede their growth and enhance immune function.
A study models habitat suitability for medically relevant black flies in four German federal states, predicting an increase in their population due to climate change. The findings suggest that the warming temperatures and changing land use could promote the growth of species with a broad niche, leading to more frequent occurrences.
A UCF-developed technology uses a plasmonic platform to detect the chirality of molecules with high precision, enabling more accurate drug development and therapies. The platform improves upon current methods with sensitivity nearly 13 orders of magnitude greater.
Researchers at Penn State found that dairy cows fed botanicals-supplemented diets use feed energy more efficiently and emit less methane. The study, which used a combination of capsicum oleoresin and clove oil, resulted in improved energy utilization efficiency and reduced methane emissions.
A recent study discovered a biological role of TMEM208 in fruit flies and humans. The gene variant causes developmental defects, seizures, and a multisystem disorder, highlighting the importance of endoplasmic reticulum stress regulation in cellular development.
A new study reveals that warmer soils harbor a greater diversity of active microbes, contradicting the assumption that increased growth rates accelerate carbon release. This finding has significant implications for predicting microbial behavior and its impact on future carbon dynamics.
A study of 2,180 participants found that early childhood neighborhood poverty is significantly associated with death from unintentional injury, suicide, and homicide in early adulthood. Economic policies are needed to address health equity and premature mortality.
Scientists have discovered that the bat brainstem processes echolocation and communication calls differently, with a stronger response to less frequent calls due to better neural synchronization. The findings may also be relevant to medical applications in humans, such as understanding diseases like ADHD or schizophrenia.
Researchers developed a novel concept to control chemical reactions during catalytic processes by employing light. They proposed an innovative nanosystem that enables rapid and efficient catalyst deactivation without additional chemicals, facilitating controlled reaction rates.
A new study by Johns Hopkins University reveals that vision impairment is linked to increased symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as social isolation among older adults. The research emphasizes the need for enhanced support and care for individuals with vision impairment.
A new study explores how discrimination, gender, and social class intersect to affect Black Americans' personal and relational well-being. Researchers found that racial discrimination and financial strain were associated with lower levels of psychological well-being.
A new study reveals that even small incremental increases in tree cover on agricultural land in mountain regions can provide significant climate change mitigation benefits within a decade. Agroforestry practices can help conserve irrecoverable carbon, improve biodiversity, and enhance ecosystem services in mountain systems.
A new study from Vanderbilt University Medical Center demonstrates the potential of AI to help target computerized alerts intended for healthcare teams. The approach uses machine learning to analyze user interactions with alerts, predicting when specific alerts will be dismissed by users. The model's suggestions were found to align wit...
A new study finds women in healthcare occupations endure significantly more stress and burnout compared to their male counterparts. Job satisfaction and better work-life balance can mitigate this stress. The analysis also highlights the need for healthcare employers and policymakers to develop solutions to prevent burnout.