A study by Ritsumeikan University found that Hezbollah's political communication is shaped by institutional constraints and strategic considerations in Lebanon's consociational democracy. The party adopted a more critical stance during crises but became more cooperative with rivals after diplomatic relations were restored.
Researchers develop comprehensive evaluation standard for spatial cognition in Large Language Models (LLMs), including three dimensions: object types, relations, and prompt engineering strategies. The testing standard framework, SRT4LLM, shows improved accuracy and robustness across different LLMs and scenarios.
Researchers from the University of Oklahoma have made significant breakthroughs in protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs), addressing challenges in manufacturing and efficiency. A new approach eliminates cerium-based materials, allowing pure barium zirconate-based electrolytes to remain stable at record-low temperatures.
IOP Publishing is introducing the Contributor Role Taxonomy (CRediT) to standardize and recognize authors' contributions to research. This will improve research integrity by clearly defining roles and facilitating source checking.
A comprehensive study by UCLA's Olympic Analytical Laboratory and Texas Tech University found that growth-promoting substances in US meat supply are present in trace amounts, well below regulatory limits. Most beef samples showed detectable levels of banned substances, but at safe levels for human consumption.
The proportion of women smoking during pregnancy in England has almost halved since 2014/15, but funding cuts could stall this progress. Experts fear that continued investment is necessary to give every child a smokefree start in life and prevent a surge in rates.
Researchers in India reviewed three families of natural products containing heterocycle cores for their anticancer activities. Promising candidates such as viridin and muricatetrocin B were found to possess sub-micromolar half-maximal inhibitory concentrations, required for effective treatment.
The latest watchlist identifies 145 non-native animals and plants that could impact biodiversity, ecosystems, human health, and economies in Britain. The top 20 threats include invasive salmon, clams, seaweed, and species like the yellow-legged hornet, raccoon, and Emerald ash borer.
A study led by MUSC Hollings Cancer Center researcher Amanda Palmer found that young males, especially those who have used cigarettes or e-cigarettes before, are more likely to use oral nicotine pouches. Although usage is relatively low, the trend suggests a potential beneficial alternative to combustible cigarettes.
Nearly 19 million children in the US are living in households with a parent struggling with substance use disorder. Children exposed to parental substance abuse are more likely to experience adverse health problems compared to those without such exposure.
Researchers at Kyoto University found that reducing urban heat release can control summertime local precipitation, with potential to mitigate extreme weather issues. By systematically decreasing sensible heat fluxes over urban areas, the team demonstrated a link between urban heat island effect reduction and less intense rainfall.
A study analyzing national health insurance data found that severe adult asthma increases the risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. This highlights the importance of considering comorbidities when managing asthma patients.
A team of scientists has developed a new method for desalination that uses liquid tin to simultaneously purify water and recover valuable metals. The process, powered by concentrated solar energy, can transform desalination brine into a valuable resource.
Researchers at ETH Zurich created an atlas of protein interactions in different tissues, revealing that every fourth interaction is tissue-specific. This knowledge helps identify disease genes and develop targeted drugs with increased specificity.
The study demonstrated the diagnostic utility of endobronchial ultrasound elastography for detecting benign and malignant lymph nodes. The combined index of elastography grading score and short diameter yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.702, indicating moderate accuracy.
Silicon spin qubits boast long coherence times and high gate fidelities, enabling universal quantum computers. Recent studies demonstrate gate fidelities required for fault-tolerant operations at temperatures above 1 Kelvin.
Researchers investigated pleurodesis treatment for lung cancer patients with interstitial lung disease, finding an efficacy rate of about 70% with talc and minocycline. However, cases with partially expanded lungs or recent systemic prednisolone treatment increased the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome.
A new AI-based method accurately sorts cancer patients into groups with similar characteristics before treatment and similar outcomes after treatment. The approach showed better performance than standard statistical and machine learning methods in predicting treatment outcomes from health record data.
A study proposes five action fronts for civil defense units to increase their organizational capacity, including professionalization and resource allocation. Municipalities face challenges such as monitoring urban expansion, lack of financial resources, and social participation.
Interactions between RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) regulate various cancer-related processes, including tumor proliferation and immune evasion. The circRNA-RBP network holds promise as a target for innovative cancer therapies.
A team of researchers has developed a new theory to explain how mini sand dunes form on Earth's surface, including beaches and deserts. They found that sand moves higher and is transported more by the wind when it lands on softer surfaces.
Researchers developed a simple, economical and environmentally friendly purification method for mullite-type bismuth ferrite, improving its efficiency in producing green hydrogen. The process uses light and glycerol to eliminate unwanted compounds, resulting in high-purity material suitable for photoelectrochemical reactions.
A new study reveals that microbes have sophisticated strategies to deal with phosphorus scarcity, shaping how ecosystems function and evolve over long timescales. Microbes act as 'phosphorus gatekeepers', competing with plants for the nutrient while also providing a source of carbon for themselves.
A team of researchers has discovered a small molecule that can selectively block cell death, which could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative conditions. By targeting the killer protein BAX, the molecule can prevent excessive cell death in neurons, potentially slowing or halting disease progression.
Researchers at Washington State University discovered that juvenile European green crabs can cause significant damage to shellfish, native eelgrass, and the ecosystem. The study found that even young crabs can crack into immature shellfish with ease, challenging current removal techniques.
Researchers highlight the need to study floating solar projects' impacts on birds and other wildlife, aiming to avoid negative effects while promoting ecological benefits. The study suggests examining bird behavior interactions with floating PV systems and identifying risks and solution pathways for coexistence.
A space-saving version of boccia, called Boccia XR, has been developed as a rehabilitation program for older adults. Participants showed improved moods, vitality, and energy after experiencing both Boccia XR and traditional boccia, with increased muscle activity in the rectus femoris during both types of boccia.
Research finds that credit ratings can effectively restrain chief executive overconfidence, particularly during corporate mergers and acquisitions. Overconfident CEOs become more cautious when facing potential credit downgrade, fearing loss of access to low-cost debt.
Young adults in sex work, the LGBTQ+ community, and those living with HIV are facing a surge in online abuse, including non-consensual image sharing and violent threats. The study reveals how stigma, digital exclusion, and fear are creating barriers to accessing health information and support online.
New AI tools are preserving marginalized cultures by recording endangered languages, creating interactive learning tools, and preserving oral histories. The authors highlight the importance of culturally aware AI systems that can adapt to regional traditions and perspectives.
Researchers successfully integrated femtosecond-pulse VSFG spectroscopy with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to detect VSFG signals from molecules in nanoscale gaps. Phase analysis revealed molecular orientation, and the technique's spatial confinement enabled detection of signals from a limited number of molecules.
The introduction of BC's opioid prescribing standard in 2016 led to a reduction in opioid prescriptions and doses, as well as declines in high-dose prescribing and coprescribing with benzodiazepines. However, this change also resulted in increased aggressive tapering of medications, which can lead to improper pain management.
A single center case series reports increased vulnerability of lung transplant recipients to severe disease and combined infections after Omicron infection. High-risk factors include elevated CRP levels, interstitial lung disease, and low CD4+ T lymphocyte count.
The book presents latest Japanese research on climate change impacts and adaptation policies, focusing on the S-18 Project. It provides comprehensive knowledge and strategies to combat climate change impacts in major sectors, including agriculture, forestry, and natural ecosystems.
The study found that cone-beam CT-guided bronchoscopy has a high diagnostic yield of 80.2% for peripheral pulmonary lesions, with subgroup analysis showing higher yields for larger lesions and those with the bronchus sign. The procedure was also associated with low adverse event rates.
Researchers have developed a metasurface differentiator that achieves broadband operation and high numerical aperture for image edge detection. The device outperforms existing metasurfaces with improved polarization independence, operating bandwidth, and resolution.
Researchers found high levels of magnesium in glass beads collected from the Chinese National Space Administration mission to the Moon. This suggests that an asteroid may have smashed into rocks originating from the mantle deep within the Moon.
Researchers have developed a novel technology capable of producing clean hydrogen fuel directly from seawater, eliminating the need for desalination plants. The multilayered electrode design achieves industrial-level efficiency while protecting the electrode over long-term use.
A child's body mass index (BMI) at six years old is a strong predictor of their risk of overweight or obesity at 18. Reaching a healthier weight before six can reduce this risk, but returning to it later does not have the same effect.
Researchers have proposed a color holographic display system with a customized achromatic liquid crystal grating that realizes a nine-time enlargement of viewing angle and a five-time increase in brightness. The system uses a composite loss function for high-brightness hologram encoding, enhancing energy utilization efficiency while ma...
Researchers developed a three-dimensional varifocal meta-device to address AR display challenges, including vergence-accommodation conflict. The device dynamically adjusts focal length and position using tunable metasurfaces, enabling virtual content display at different depths and positions without bulky components.
Scientists discovered 26 novel bacterial species growing in NASA spacecraft assembly facilities, carrying genetic traits associated with resilience to extreme environments. The study highlights the importance of contamination control in space missions and reveals potential for microbial persistence in extraterrestrial environments.
A new generative AI model, DiffSMol, has been developed to generate realistic 3D structures of small molecules with promising drug properties. The study achieved a 61.4% success rate in creating novel molecules, outperforming prior research attempts.
Researchers identified IMSVs as a key factor in determining longitudinal and transverse positional indications for sublobar resection in patients with clinical T1a–bN0 NSCLC. Depth ratio and lesion proximity to IMSVs were critical factors for successful anatomical sublobar resection.
Mitral valve repair is a viable option for RHD patients requiring reintervention after PMBC, offering good early outcomes and long-term durability. Careful preoperative evaluation is crucial to prioritize surgical mitral valve repair over replacement for better prognosis.
The study identified enzyme components that regulate water flux and network formation in hydrolytic reactions, shedding light on the dynamics of water molecules. This knowledge could lead to optimized bioengineered enzymes for various applications, including food processing and biorefineries.
The UK's failure to focus on COVID-19 suppression led to thousands of avoidable deaths, according to an expert. By following the World Health Organization's advice and East Asian countries' strategies, the UK might have prevented up to 180,000 deaths.
The US needs a stable scientific ecosystem to develop an effective national science diplomacy strategy, writes Kimberly Montgomery. The Trump administration should outline how policies can advance diplomatic objectives and work with the private sector.
A Danish study found that adverse waist-to-height ratio trajectories in childhood are associated with increased cardiometabolic risk at age 10. Children with gradually increasing central obesity showed early signs of metabolic and cardiovascular risk, including elevated blood pressure and insulin resistance.
A Swedish study found that individuals who lived with obesity as children are four times more likely to be on sick leave aged 25 than their peers in the general population. The study also revealed that those with severe childhood obesity were three times more likely to be on long-term sick leave.
The EndoCompass project aims to guide future studies and funding programs with a research roadmap for better hormone health in Europe. Manuel Heitor will share his perspective on the future of research in Europe, emphasizing the need for greater investment and coordination.
Researchers found that GLP-1 receptor agonists have a direct effect on reducing obesity-related cancer beyond weight-loss, with a 41% lower relative risk compared to bariatric surgery. The study also suggests that these medications work through multiple mechanisms, including reducing inflammation.
Professor Sadaf Farooqi has been awarded the inaugural Joint ‘Endocrinology Across the Life Course Award’ for her groundbreaking research on human eating behaviour and severe childhood obesity. Her work has changed attitudes towards people with severe obesity by demonstrating its biological basis.
A new study has discovered a link between delayed puberty and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in boys. According to the research, adolescent boys who experience delayed puberty are 37% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes in early adulthood, regardless of their weight or socio-economic status.
A US study found that teenagers with abdominal obesity have larger brain areas, particularly in the hippocampus and amygdala, which play critical roles in memory, learning, and emotion regulation. This research raises serious concerns about the impact of obesity on brain development and long-term health risks.
Researchers developed tiny human ovary organoids using stem cells to understand gonad development and disease. The models replicate key aspects of ovarian follicles, offering a powerful platform for studying gene function in a controlled environment.
A randomized crossover trial found that 5 minutes of exposure to junk food adverts resulted in children consuming significantly more calories during the day. The study found that 7–15 year-olds consumed an average of 130 kcals extra, equivalent to two slices of bread.
A systematic review of available evidence found GLP-1 RAs lead to significant weight loss and improved blood sugar control in adults with severe mental illness. The analysis also showed that these medications were not associated with a worsening of mental state or suicidal behaviour.
Researchers found that a 3-month program of time-restricted eating at any time of the day can result in significant weight loss for at least a year, regardless of eating window timing. The study suggests that restricting the eating window to 8 hours may be an effective long-term approach for sustaining weight loss.
A new vision-based tactile sensor family, CrystalTac, has been developed using rapid monolithic manufacturing techniques. The sensors feature unique sensing mechanisms and demonstrate good performance in terms of cost-effectiveness and design flexibility.