Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine will investigate factors that facilitate or hinder conversations between physicians and patients about medical misinformation. The study aims to develop a toolkit to increase health literacy and counter misinformation among older adults, who are disproportionately affected by hea...
The FRONTIERS Residency Program received 47 applications from science journalists worldwide, representing a broad range of career levels and countries. The selected applicants will start their science journalism residences by Spring 2025.
Researchers found that prenatal exposure to synthetic cannabinoid led to cardiovascular problems in female rats and increased respiratory sensitivity to carbon dioxide in male rats. Sleep quality also deteriorated in both sexes, with males experiencing sleep fragmentation due to frequent wakefulness episodes.
A new study links the construction of Nan Madol to sea level rise and ENSO variability, revealing two major construction phases. The site's history may hold lessons for today's Pacific Ocean communities struggling with coastal protection.
A new study has discovered a novel semi-synthetic compound derived from natural compounds that exhibits potent activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, including multi-drug resistant strains. The compound, BPD-9, provides a promising chemical scaffold for developing new anti-tuberculosis drugs.
A recent study published in Liver Cancer found that patients with diabetes mellitus and comorbid obesity are at a higher risk of liver cancer recurrence after resection. The risk is significantly higher for those with comorbid obesity, increasing by approximately 3.8 times over five years postoperatively.
Researchers discovered that wastewater bacteria can break down plastic into small pieces called nanoplastics and use a specialized enzyme to further degrade it. The bacteria then use the broken-down plastic as a food source, providing new possibilities for developing bioengineering solutions to clean up difficult-to-remove plastic waste.
A new study led by UCL researchers found that UK toddlers obtain nearly half of their calories from ultra-processed foods, with this ratio increasing to 59% by the age of seven. The most common ultra-processed foods consumed were flavoured yoghurts and wholegrain breakfast cereals.
A study using a smartphone-based wayfinding task identified individuals with increased risk for dementia, based on their movement patterns and spatial memory. The research provides promising insights into the potential of digital technologies for early detection and monitoring of Alzheimer's disease.
Participants who received 2 doses of MVA-BN vaccine showed comparable or lower mpox antibody responses at 12 months compared to those receiving 1 dose. Protective immunity may be waning in individuals vaccinated with this vaccine, according to a recent study.
Researchers create a miniature, chip-based 'tractor beam' that can capture and manipulate cells at distances of over a hundred times further away from the chip surface. This technology has the potential to revolutionize biologists and clinicians' ability to study DNA, classify cells, and investigate disease mechanisms.
A new study published in Current Biology found that our brains organize experiences into individual events based on what we currently care about and are paying attention to. The researchers used audio narratives to test this hypothesis, finding that people's brain activity creates new chapters depending on their perspective.
Researchers at Wayne State University are exploring the connections between PFAS exposure, bacterial infections, and preterm birth. The study aims to identify critical pathways responsible for preterm birth and establish a causative link between pollutant exposures and adverse birth outcomes.
The Endocrine Society's inaugural Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Virtual Summit will explore AI's potential to improve medical care, advance research, and leverage big data. Key sessions will discuss predictive analytics, machine learning algorithms, and natural language processing.
A global study reveals that women's environmental quality of life explains a substantial 46% of their overall health and well-being. The study found that younger women report poorer environmental quality of life, while older women experience improved quality of life after age 45.
A study by UW researchers found a direct correlation between feeling 'wonder about the universe' and interest in astronomy. Populations with low light pollution reported higher levels of wonder, which led to increased interest in astronomy.
Researchers at Lehigh University have pioneered a method to create customizable ceramics using solid-state synthesis, enabling advances in electronics and energy conversion. The team aims to produce functional materials with tailored geometries that can be used in thermoelectric devices and other applications.
Incident stroke accelerates long-term cognitive decline in older stroke survivors. The study using pooled data from 14 cohorts found a significant association between stroke and accelerated cognitive decline.
A new clinical trial reveals that synthetic cannabis, specifically dronabinol, can effectively reduce agitation in patients with Alzheimer's disease by an average of 30%. The treatment showed similar calming effects to current medications without adverse results such as delirium or seizures.
A recent study published in American Journal of Education found that White English-speaking students are the only group with a positive relationship between early STEM aptitude and majoring in a STEM subject in college. For Black and Latine students, early STEM aptitude does not translate into STEM enrollment.
A Carnegie Mellon University-led team is developing a bioelectronic implant called ROGUE that can produce a year's supply of treatment for chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes and obesity. The device will offer continuous, adjustable therapy deployment via a minimally invasive procedure.
A study found that one-minute technology breaks can reduce phone use during class, leading to higher test scores. Phone use was lowest during one-minute breaks, suggesting this duration may be optimal for minimizing distractions.
A recent study published in PLOS Climate examines the effectiveness of using land surface temperatures as proxies for surface air temperatures in subtropical regions. The findings reveal seasonal variations in the relationship between LST and SAT, underscoring the complexity of using LST data in subtropical, wet regions.
A team of researchers led by Julia Vorholt at ETH Zurich initiated laboratory partnerships between bacteria and fungi to study the beginnings of an endosymbiotic relationship. They found that when certain bacteria are passed on to the next generation of fungi through spores, the fungus adapts and becomes more inhabited.
The new pictograms are designed to make medication instructions clearer and safer for older adults. Developed with a team of researchers and collaborators, the pictograms will be used across public healthcare institutions and pharmacies in Singapore.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered estrogen's fast actions are mediated by the coupling of ER-alpha with ion channel protein Clic1, controlling chloride ion flux and enabling rapid neuronal responses. This finding sheds light on estrogen's role in regulating various physiological processes.
A Carnegie Mellon-led team has secured a $42 million grant to develop implantable, cell-based bioelectronic devices for real-time therapy and disease monitoring in patients with thyroid disorders. The devices will offer adjustable, low-cost treatment and continuous biomarker measurement.
Researchers have discovered Flickering Gamma-Ray Flashes (FGFs), a phenomenon that could be the missing link between Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes and gamma-ray glows. Studies reveal dynamic gamma-ray emissions in tropical thunderclouds, challenging previous assumptions about these events.
Researchers identified six guiding principles to improve student well-being, including Research Learning Experiences that foster peer relationships and a sense of belonging. These initiatives have shown significant improvement in students' self-identification as researchers and overall well-being.
Researchers from the FlyWire Consortium have created a detailed wiring diagram of every neuron in the adult fly brain, revealing substantial similarities between individual brains. The map includes 50 million connections between neurons, providing insights into neural circuits and their functions.
Pragmatic clinical trials compare treatments in everyday clinical settings, but adoption of trial findings has been inconsistent. To address this, the authors propose adaptive trial designs to align trial goals with healthcare system needs. By doing so, they aim to generate evidence that truly improves patient care.
New research from University of Utah mathematicians and climate scientists sheds light on the dynamic processes driving global climate change. The studies reveal that sea ice is not a solid layer but a complex mixture of water, air, and brine, which affects heat transfer and polar ecosystems.
African wormwood, a plant used for centuries to treat various illnesses, contains a compound that can kill the bacteria causing tuberculosis. Researchers have identified this compound, an O-methylflavone, as effective against both active and inactive states of the mycobacterium.
Researchers identified a crucial protein, TIMP3, overproduced in AMD and found that blocking its activity can reduce drusen formation, suggesting a promising treatment strategy. The study offers new avenues for preventing AMD and improving the lives of millions affected by this disease.
A new study has uncovered the hidden diversity of wild banana relatives in mainland Southeast Asia, showcasing their potential as future crop varieties. The research emphasizes the urgent need to preserve these genetic resources to ensure global food security.
Researchers created a Comorbid Operative Risk Evaluation (CORE) score to better predict post-surgery mortality. The model accounts for pre-existing chronic illnesses and aims to improve analysis of surgical outcomes using large databases.
A new study from the University of Vaasa explores advanced positioning technologies, including a patented LEO satellite-based method that outperforms traditional GNSS systems in addressing location vulnerability issues. The research demonstrates significant advancements in both indoor and outdoor positioning accuracy.
Scientists have created a system that allows for the production of essential amino acids and peptides commonly found in animals, such as creatine, carnosine, and taurine, within living plants. This technology has the potential to boost nutrient production in edible plants and other organisms.
The National Science Foundation has awarded Wavelogix a two-year, $999,910 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant. The funding will help the company develop a complete solution for scaling up production of its REBEL concrete strength sensors, enabling faster and data-driven decisions in construction engineering.
Researchers discovered that bottlenose dolphins use the open mouth facial expression to signal playfulness and that they mirror each other's expressions 33% of the time. This finding suggests that visual communication plays a crucial role in shaping complex social interactions in marine mammals.
A new study suggests that individuals struggling with obesity face varying levels of social and health difficulties depending on where they live. Researchers found that those living in areas with high obesity rates report fewer relationship, economic, and health disadvantages compared to those in low-obesity regions.
Researchers found that people perceive immigration growth rates as larger when presented in a non-numerical format, such as '1 in 40', compared to numerical formats like '2.5%'. This highlights the importance of clear and accurate communication when discussing sensitive topics.
A modelling study suggests that reducing tobacco smoking globally to 5% by 2050 could increase life expectancy and prevent millions of premature deaths. Accelerating actions to eliminate tobacco smoking could result in up to 1.5 additional years of life expectancy among males and 0.4 years among females.
The TESS mission has discovered a rare stellar triplet system with twin stars orbiting each other every 1.8 days, and a third star that circles the pair in just 25 days. The discovery sets a new record for the shortest outer orbital period of this type of system.
A global study highlights the life-saving impact of Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy (GDMT) in heart failure patients, particularly those with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The study estimates that optimal implementation could save over 1 million lives per year, with significant regional disparities to address.
The ISSCR 2025 Annual Meeting will bring together stem cell scientists from diverse backgrounds to share knowledge and collaborate on innovative research. Scientists can submit abstracts by January 21, 2025, for oral presentations and qualify for awards.
Researchers from Göttingen University identified the low crystallisation temperatures and groundwater origin of amethyst geodes in northern Uruguay. The study proposes a new model explaining their formation, which could improve exploration techniques and lead to sustainable mining strategies.
Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo create terpene-based chiral capsules that facilitate the easy preparation of well-defined host–guest composites with tunable chiroptical properties. The resulting composites can be used in water without organic solvents, paving the way for advances in cutting-edge optical technologies.
The ASAP Global Center at the University of Illinois will integrate international teams and scientific disciplines to tackle global challenges like improving feedstock-crop performance and converting plant matter into fuel. The center aims to generate crucial knowledge, empower communities, and strengthen global cooperation.
Researchers create a complex model of nematode worm behavior, accurately mimicking its movements and offering insights into animal behavior. The findings have significant implications for medical research, particularly in the study of movement disorders like Parkinson's disease, and could also improve robotics.
A recent study on the Siberian primrose highlights the urgent need to curb climate change to allow species time to adapt through evolution. The research suggests that many wild species have limited capacity to adapt to warming climates, with some facing extinction due to geographic constraints and rapid climate change.
New research reveals methane emissions from slurry stores on dairy farms may be up to five times greater than official statistics suggest. Capturing and converting methane into biogas could reduce emissions and save farmers over £400 million a year in fuel costs.
A new analysis found that satisfying friendships are a key factor for happiness among young single adults. The study, published in PLOS ONE, highlights the importance of meaningful relationships in boosting well-being and finds that those with strong friendships tend to be happier than those without.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found bright light therapy to be an effective adjunctive treatment for non-seasonal depressive disorders. The study suggests that bright light therapy may improve the response time to the initial treatment, providing new hope for patients with these conditions.
The study found that chestnut blight has significantly impacted the American chestnut population, leading to a shift in forest composition. Decades may pass before floristic changes become apparent, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and conservation efforts.
A six-month study found that reducing daily sitting by 40 min/day can prevent back pain from worsening. The researchers suggest trying to reduce sitting at work or leisure time, but emphasize the importance of physical activity such as walking or brisk exercise.
Scientists at RIKEN CPR created a method to change albumin's molecular ID card, allowing for targeted treatments against diseases like cancer. The new technology can transport proteins out of the body, mimicking drug delivery and removal.
A Princeton-led research team has built the first neuron-by-neuron and synapse-by-synapse roadmap through the brain of an adult fruit fly. The map reveals connections within the brain at every scale, enabling researchers to better understand its underlying logic and potentially develop tailored treatments for brain diseases.
A study of 156 countries found that climate-related disasters like landslides and floods are associated with an increase in intimate partner violence against women two years after the event. The effect is similar in magnitude to economic factors, suggesting a potential link between climate change and social drivers of violence.
Researchers have discovered that Listeria monocytogenes loses its cell wall and becomes round when entering a dormant state, making it undetectable by growth-based tests. Developing antibodies to detect dormant forms of the bacterium could lead to specific tests for better protection.