A joint international research team has identified the core principle by which specific inhibitory neurons in the prefrontal cortex regulate cocaine-seeking behavior. The study revealed that addiction relapse is not due to a decline in brain function, but rather an imbalance in specific neural circuits.
Researchers at SKKU develop hafnium oxide-based ferroelectric transistor arrays for AI hardware, achieving high endurance and precise analog weight control. The devices demonstrated scalable operation and stable synaptic learning behavior, paving the way for next-gen in-memory computing technologies.
A national study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that breast cancer stage at diagnosis differs sharply across rural US regions, with geographic, racial, and insurance factors influencing stage. The study analyzed data from 52,287 rural women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2004 and 2021, revealin...
A conductive bioglue was developed to ensure firm adhesion and stable electrical signaling within the human body. It overcomes challenges in connecting damaged tissues or attaching bioelectronic devices, promoting muscle and nerve regeneration and stable implant stability.
Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä have developed new synthetic molecules that capture sulfate with exceptional efficiency, rivaling natural protein binding sites. The unique architecture of the molecules, known as
Genethon's GNT0004 gene therapy shows long-term efficacy in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, maintaining clinical efficacy and safety at two years. The trial included 72 boys aged 6-10 with retained walking ability, treated with GNT0004 at a therapeutic dose.
Researchers develop Fourier ptychographic coherence scanning interferometry for high-aspect-ratio micro-trenches, achieving high-resolution 3D topography and lateral resolution beyond the incoherent diffraction limit. The method overcomes challenges of strong optical modulation, enabling robust and accurate measurements.
A Mendelian randomization study found that PCSK9 inhibitors may reduce low back pain risk, while HMGCR and NPC1L1 inhibitors showed no association. The study validated known lipid-lowering effects on coronary heart disease risk, providing new insights into PCSK9 pleiotropy.
To halt sea-level rise and cumulative CO2 releases, global emissions would need to become net-negative and remain so for centuries. This conclusion is based on studies assessing the impact of delayed climate changes, which require long-term carbon removal commitments.
A study on mouse incisors reveals a cellular mechanism behind the unique decussation patterns of tooth enamel, which form the enamel's hardness through directional sliding and coordinated migration of ameloblasts. The findings provide new insights into how dental stem and progenitor cells maintain and repair enamel-forming tissues.
Researchers discovered temperate trees, including oak, elm, and hazel, in Doggerland over 16,000 years ago, revealing a surprisingly hospitable environment. The study suggests that Doggerland may have supported early Mesolithic communities prior to flooding, shedding light on the region's ecological history and human settlement patterns.
A study by UC San Diego finds that California wildfire smoke events are becoming more frequent, with communities in Southern and Central California experiencing shorter recovery times between smoke events. These communities are also disproportionately vulnerable, with higher proportions of racial and socioeconomic minority residents.
Researchers have discovered that compounds from seaweed can block norovirus infection by creating a shield in the human body. Fucoidan, a compound found in brown seaweed, showed the strongest blocking activity against two major norovirus strains, GII.4 and GII.17.
A prospective multicenter study found Woven EndoBridge therapy safe and effective for unruptured wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms in Chinese patients. The therapy promotes durable aneurysm occlusion with minimal risks.
A new study by the University of Bristol found that the UK's disposable vapes ban may lead to an increase in cigarette smoking among young adults. The research, published in PLOS Global Public Health, suggests that some individuals may turn to cigarettes as an alternative to disposable vapes.
The study reveals that small Goss grains can engulf surrounding large grains through elastic interaction and molar volume difference, leading to abnormal growth. This phenomenon is driven by the increasing elastic anisotropy of ferrite with temperature rise, resulting in preferential growth of surface Goss grains.
A recent study found that adults with total or near-total vision loss who also experience hearing loss report lower confidence in their sound localization abilities, despite receiving specialized training. The researchers suggest that clinicians should account for hearing status during vision rehabilitation training to address individu...
A team of researchers from Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics developed a novel catalyst enabling thermocatalytic conversion of N2 and H2 to NH3 at room temperature and ambient pressure. The Li/Ru interface exhibits a synergetic effect promoting N2 activation and hydrogenation steps.
Kyushu University researchers observed individual polymer chains' behavior on solid surfaces, revealing non-equilibrium dynamics and thermal fluctuations. The study contributes to enhancing adhesive performance and lightweighting of materials.
A large Australian study of over 417,000 women found that fertility treatments were not linked to higher overall cancer rates, but some cancers were slightly more common, while others were less common. Women who received fertility treatment were more likely to develop uterine and ovarian cancer, as well as melanoma, but the overall ris...
A new study found that augmented reality job coaching significantly improves job performance for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The AR-based application delivered real-time guidance, enabling participants to complete complex tasks with minimal external support. This innovative approach has the potential t...
Wavelogix, a concrete sensor manufacturer, has received a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to refine and scale its Rebel concrete strength sensing system. The system enables faster, data-driven decisions through real-time concrete strength monitoring.
A Johns Hopkins study found that 42.3% of people with medical debt delayed dental care, 23.0% delayed medical care, and 14% delayed mental health care. Medical debt contributes to unmet need for treatment across health needs, regardless of insurance coverage.
A working group of scholars and experts proposes three principles - transparency, credit, and accountability - to form the foundation for responsible authorship. The principles aim to address issues of gift, ghost, and coercive authorship and promote a culture of transparency and accountability in scientific research.
A new study reveals that prior authorization requirements for heart failure medications can significantly delay pharmacy fills, particularly for those with lower socioeconomic status or Medicaid insurance. The study found that patients with prior authorization prescriptions took three times as long to fill their ARNI prescriptions and ...
Anand Balasubramani joins AAI with expertise in scientific publishing, program development, and community engagement. As CSPO, he will shape AAI's scientific agenda and oversee publications, education, and scientific affairs.
Jeonbuk National University researchers have developed DDINet, a lightweight and scalable model that can accurately predict drug-drug interactions for new, unseen drugs. This approach avoids overfitting to training data and is designed to handle binary and multi-classification tasks.
A team of researchers from SASTRA Deemed University demonstrates a fiber-based method for compressing mid-infrared laser pulses into ultrashort, low-noise bursts efficiently. The system reduces input power from kilowatts to 80 watts, improving energy efficiency and thermal stability.
Researchers discovered yaku'amide B induces CD9 degradation, a cancer stem cell-related protein, in addition to inhibiting ATP synthase, leading to cellular energy depletion and cancer cell suppression. This natural compound has potential as a new therapeutic approach for cancer treatment.
Researchers optimize interferometric diffusing wave spectroscopy technique to boost weak optical field returning from the brain, achieving over 20x signal to noise ratio. The novel approach provides higher brain sensitivity compared to DCS-inspired approaches and is approximately two orders of magnitude less expensive.
Researchers at the Wyss Institute developed DoriVac, a DNA nanotechnology-enabled vaccine platform that induces broad immunity against infectious viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, HIV, and Ebola. The platform produces potent antigen-specific immune responses and is more stable and easier to manufacture than traditional vaccine platforms.
Researchers at Brown University have made significant progress in restoring two-way communication across a damaged spinal cord site. Electrical stimulation below the injury site partially restored muscle control in lower extremities, while stimulation above the injury enabled participants to understand their leg position in space. This...
Research finds extreme cold and rain reduce young bird growth and survival, but earlier breeding can mitigate these effects. In contrast, hot extremes can boost growth by increasing insect activity and visibility.
A recent study on the 2021 North American heat wave reveals that some species, such as sea lettuce, were able to withstand the extreme temperatures, while others, like mussels and blueberry plants, suffered severe declines. The research highlights the importance of understanding these differing effects to prepare for future heat waves.
Rice University researchers have developed a new capability, magnetoARPES, to study quantum behaviors in materials like superconductors. The technique allows researchers to probe the full electronic response to a magnetic field, giving insights into collective electron behaviors.
Researchers found elevated pTau levels in individuals with transthyretin amyloidosis and immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis, suggesting a new diagnostic approach for systemic amyloidosis. The findings may facilitate earlier detection and help confirm suspected cases.
A study by ETH Zurich researchers found that climate policies can only be implemented with the support of the 'conditional middle' group, who are flexible and make decisions based on personal cost-benefit calculations. This group's opinions can significantly impact policy feasibility, with a shift towards support potentially leading to...
A new study found that antibiotics can alter the gut microbiome for up to four to eight years after treatment, with certain types of antibiotics having a stronger impact. The study analyzed data from 14,979 adults and found links between antibiotic use and changes in gut microbiome composition, including diversity of bacterial species.
Oregon State University researchers have developed a new class of lipid nanoparticles that can safely deliver gene-editing tools at lower doses, resolving a longstanding challenge in the field. The breakthrough was made possible by a DNA-based barcoding test that measures how efficiently different nanoparticle designs release their cargo.
Researchers analyzed gravitational-wave data from LIGO and Virgo detectors, revealing an oval orbit just before merger, which is unlikely according to theoretical models. The study corrects underestimated black hole mass and overestimated neutron star mass, suggesting a birthplace in an environment with many interacting stars.
New research published in Weather assesses the energy consumption of AI models and finds that they consume considerable energy during training, but offset this by rapid forecasting ability. AI data-driven models are estimated to consume at least 21 times less energy than traditional models over one-year usage.
A study found North Korean defectors had higher risks of infection-related cancers but lower risks of breast, colon, and prostate cancers compared to South Korean residents. Over time, their cancer profile changed, suggesting adaptation to South Korean society.
States with full abortion bans experienced a 1.6% increased birth rate in 2023, as well as a 4.3% increase in WIC participation among postpartum women and a 2.1% increase in formula-fed infants. This led to a $6.9 million increase in WIC food-assistance costs in 2023.
A new study found that legalizing online sports betting in the US has led to a significant rise in binge drinking frequency among young men, particularly those who already report binge drinking. The study's findings highlight the need for policymakers to consider the broader behavioral impacts of gambling liberalization.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg measured carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in 23 mangrove areas, revealing global patterns in environmental stress. The study found that extreme conditions, including low oxygen and high carbon dioxide levels, are becoming more frequent and severe, posing a threat to sensitive fish species.
A study published in American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism found that low testosterone and high fructose intake synergistically contribute to liver damage in mice. The researchers discovered that changes in gut microbiota led to increased levels of pyruvate, which promotes fat accumulation in the liver.
Researchers developed magnetically controlled microrobots made from diatoms to target glioblastoma lesions with photodynamic therapy. The microrobots achieved a significant cytotoxic effect on primary glioblastoma cells and demonstrated good biocompatibility.
A brain-inspired hardware platform has been developed to improve pattern recognition speed, accuracy, and energy efficiency. The platform combines memory and computation on the same chip, allowing nodes to interact collectively like neurons in the brain.
Research shows glacial lakes in Alaska expanding 50% faster than previously recorded, posing significant hazards and altering ecosystems. The study identifies areas where lakes may form and grow, helping with infrastructure planning and predicting changes to ecosystems, hazards, and recreation.
Researchers create living tissue at near-physiological cell density using a new bioprinting strategy called embedded 3D printing in a cell-dense suspension (EPICS). The method enables the precise fabrication of perfusable channels and dense cellular environments, mimicking real organs.
Researchers have discovered plant defense strategies against antibiotic stress, including chloroplast-centered adaptation and microbiome coordination. Plants accumulate antibiotics in roots, activate detoxification enzymes, and restructure endophytic bacterial communities to counter stress. These findings suggest plants as bioremediati...
The study reveals the fundamental origin of stochasticity in memristor devices, which has been poorly understood. The researchers developed a scanning thermal microscopy technique to directly observe the heat signals generated during resistive switching events, revealing multiple conductive filaments and electrothermal effects.
This review introduces a safety-level-oriented framework for polymer-based health-monitoring technologies, highlighting key material systems and device modalities. Flexible devices can track physiological signals and enable personalized healthcare through noninvasive wearables, microinvasive biosensing, and implantable electronics.
A recent study from the University of Technology Sydney found that users who set moderately challenging weekly targets were more likely to remain active and engaged with their apps. This suggests that smarter goal-setting, rather than more goal-setting, may be key to sustained digital engagement.
A new study reveals that hedgehogs can hear high-frequency ultrasound, up to 85 kHz, which could be used to design sound repellents for cars to deter them from roads. The findings suggest a potential solution to reduce hedgehog deaths, which are a major cause of road traffic accidents.
Judy Jeevarajan, Ph.D., joins UL Research Institutes as vice president and distinguished scientific advisor, guiding critical scientific priorities and mentoring researchers in battery and energy storage safety. With extensive experience in battery chemistry and global standards development, Jeevarajan will continue to shape ULRI's sci...
A new study analyzing 61 scientific studies found that biochar can either help or harm soil organisms, depending on factors like pH, application rate, and production temperature. The research provides a comprehensive assessment of biochar's ecological impacts and offers new tools for predicting its effects.
Scientists at UCSF created a new material that enables more predictable organoid growth, allowing for better study of disease and potential tissue replacement. The dynamic gel, invented by Zev Gartner, mimics the body's soft environment and enables precise 3D printing of stem cells.
Researchers at the University of Queensland have made a breakthrough in understanding the cellular changes that occur in depression. They found that cells in people with depression produce more energy molecules when resting, but have a reduced ability to increase energy production under stress. This study offers a new potential approac...
A randomized controlled trial demonstrates a significant and clinically relevant reduction in ADHD symptoms in adults using attexis, a digital intervention based on cognitive behavioral therapy. The results show improvements in work and social functioning, self-esteem, and quality of life, as well as a reduction in depressive symptoms.