A global analysis found alcohol use and smoking to be common risk factors for both breast cancer and atrial fibrillation/flutter in women ages 55 and older. High-risk zones were predominantly in Western countries with greater exposure to these lifestyle risks.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that the TDP-43 protein plays a crucial role in regulating microglial function. Microglia lacking this protein develop motor impairments and exhibit structural alterations in brain regions, highlighting its importance in preventing neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study reveals that racial and ethnic minority youth pay more attention to food influencers who share their racial identity, resulting in stronger engagement with unhealthy foods. The researchers found that identity-based social media marketing can be a powerful mechanism in shaping adolescents' eating behavior.
A study from Linköping University finds that mild COVID-19 can lead to long-term eye problems, including abnormal pupil function and strabismus, affecting daily life. Researchers developed a diagnostic model to detect these issues, which may lead to effective treatment.
A new study describes a gene therapy strategy that uses the brain's glymphatic transport system to distribute engineered viral vectors throughout the brain. This approach enables preferential targeting of human glial cells while minimizing exposure to other cell types and organs, addressing two major challenges in neurological medicine.
A Stanford-led study models how climate change and infrastructure investment can compound an affordability crisis, leading to near doubling of median water bills in cities like Santa Cruz. The research warns that even resilient cities may become vulnerable to water affordability issues over time.
Research on landfill-foraging white storks reveals a trade-off between food availability and increased risks from stress and DNA damage. Preliminary results show that young storks foraging on landfills have higher energy stores but also exhibit DNA damage at an early age.
Researchers found that KCL-286 enhances DNA repair and reduces neuronal inflammation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The drug activates the retinoic acid receptor-beta pathway, promoting the expression of certain repair genes.
A new study assesses how climate change affects predator-prey dynamics in a semi-arid ecosystem. Researchers found that during periods of low precipitation, owls shifted to different prey, increasing dietary overlap variability. Temperature was the strongest driver of these changes.
Researchers developed a human-safe drug that repairs DNA breaks and reduces inflammation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The approach targets multiple disease-relevant cellular pathways, providing a broader therapeutic strategy than previous approaches focused on individual disease hallmarks.
Scientists at King's College London have developed a human-safe drug that repairs DNA breaks and reduces inflammation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. This approach targets multiple features of the disease simultaneously, providing a broader therapeutic strategy than previous approaches focused on individual disease hallmarks.
Researchers found that only 21.2% of service members and veterans who died by firearm suicide disclosed suicidal thoughts or plans before their death. Those who did confide in loved ones, rather than healthcare providers, making community-based suicide prevention strategies crucial for reaching those at risk.
A systematic review found that transmasculine people have pregnancy rates ranging from 6-9%, while postnatal depression rates are unknown. Testosterone use before pregnancy is associated with lower conception rates and higher miscarriage rates.
A study found that foreign direct investments raise employment by 13-16% in rural US counties, but have no significant impact on local incomes. However, higher wage growth and expanded housing supply are often observed in areas with increased FDI.
A new study suggests that California's wine industry is under threat from climate change and wildfires, particularly in established regions like Napa and Sonoma. However, areas like Mendocino and Monterey are expected to become increasingly favorable for premium vintages due to their projected increasing climatic suitability and decrea...
A new mathematical model shows that social norms significantly influence climate action, with strategies encouraging mitigation in one region potentially weakening it elsewhere. Regional actions can create unexpected ripple effects, highlighting the need for a nuanced approach to address climate change.
Researchers developed a technology that incorporates an elastic ion-conductive polymer into sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries to reduce cracking and interfacial degradation. The polymer buffer absorbs stress caused by electrode expansion and contraction, suppressing crack formation and improving cycle life.
Researchers propose a new standard, Human Fidelity, to measure the alignment of implantable brain devices with stakeholders' needs and expectations. The study identified five domains where gaps between devices and stakeholders exist, including Access and Uptake, Invasiveness, and Patient-Centered Outcomes.
Researchers found that taller trees have an advantage in younger forests due to increased light capture, but shade-tolerant species thrive under tall canopies in older forests. This study reveals a mechanistic explanation for forest succession and offers insights into climate modeling and forest management.
Researchers designed a material with asymmetric Zn-N4-S coordination sites, significantly boosting sulfur adsorption and conversion. The resulting material delivers outstanding discharge capacity and ultralow polarization voltage, demonstrating excellent stability and potential for flexible energy storage devices.
Recent advances in dynamic oxygen reduction reaction research highlight the importance of convering theoretical simulations and in-situ characterization to understand catalyst behavior. This study bridges theory and experiment to reveal critical phenomena such as potential-dependent shifts in the rate-determining step and dynamic struc...
Researchers at Jingdezhen Ceramic University synthesized medium-entropy spinel oxides with excellent electromagnetic wave absorption performance and anti-corrosion properties. The materials showed promise for use in marine environments, overcoming corrosion issues with traditional EMW absorbing coatings.
The BfR conducts health risk assessments for food, feed, chemicals, and products, providing scientific advice to federal governments. The institute's research-driven approach informs consumer health protection policies both domestically and internationally.
A team of scientists created high-strength Li4SiO4 granules using spent coffee grounds, enhancing CO2 diffusion and adsorption capacity. The approach integrates hierarchical pore formation, potassium doping, and oxygen vacancies into a single additive.
Five HKU biotech startups will showcase cutting-edge research achievements in vaccine development, innovative therapies, and AI-enabled medical technologies. The University aims to translate world-class research into impactful clinical solutions, delivering meaningful benefits to patients worldwide.
The University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Engineering and China State Construction have partnered to establish a flagship scholarship program, providing financial support and industry connections for exceptional undergraduate students. The five-year scholarship will fund scholarships for three flagship programs, with CSHK contributing H...
Researchers developed a technology to stack ultrathin semiconductor chips with improved integration density, overcoming challenges of chip thickness and warpage. The process enables the reliable stacking of over ten chips, potentially leading to significant improvements in AI semiconductor performance.
Researchers found that sea stars' skeletons contain specialized mineral structures capable of guiding and concentrating light, providing both mechanical support and optical sensing. The discovery may inspire future engineering materials with multifunctional capabilities.
Researchers from HKUMed analyzed electronic medical records of 708,020 mother-child pairs in Hong Kong and found no association between prenatal paracetamol exposure and the risk of ASD or ADHD. The study used a sibling-matched design to account for shared familial factors.
The Gerontological Society of America honors researchers, leaders, and mentors who have made significant contributions to the field of aging. This year's awardees include Heather M. Young, Jeffrey M. Hausdorff, and Briana Mezuk, among others. Their work has been recognized for its excellence in teaching, research, and service.
Clean air policies have improved public health but worsened urban heat islands in humid climates by limiting evaporative cooling and increasing solar radiation. In arid regions, this effect is weakened, highlighting the urgent need for region-specific adaptation strategies.
A study found that forecast error types influence public emotion during disasters, with anxiety and worry being the most common emotions. The researchers suggest that communicating forecast uncertainty effectively could improve public trust and reduce emotional distress during future extreme weather events.
The research team developed MB-32, a novel broad-spectrum small-molecule antiviral drug candidate targeting ACE2 receptor. MB-32 potently inhibits infection by multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants and preserves ACE2's normal physiological functions.
Researchers found that ZIP9 deletion in mice led to premature death, spatial memory deficits, and reduced cognitive flexibility, with significant changes in PSD95, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels. The study suggests a brain–gut–key molecule network connecting cognitive function, gut microbiota, and lipid metabolism.
An international team of astronomers has directly measured the mass of an inactive supermassive black hole in the early Universe for the first time. The study found that the black hole is about 12 times more massive than expected from its host galaxy, suggesting that the central engine was already fully grown while the galaxy around it...
The HKU Robocon teams, consisting of 55 students from engineering and science backgrounds, showcased exceptional talent and innovation in the competition. They adopted complementary tactical approaches, with Team Sapientia deploying an offensive strategy and Team Virtus focusing on a defensive approach.
Scientists used clues from label data, chemical analysis of tiny shells, and ocean current simulations to trace the voyage of a plastic bottle cap. The study found 307 organisms, including a polychaete worm not found in Japanese waters before, highlighting the potential for micro-ecosystems to be transported over extended periods.
The University of Hong Kong's HKUMed team successfully introduced robot-assisted microsurgery, performing 48 procedures with no complications. The technology enhances precision and control, making it possible for more surgeons to perform intricate microvascular surgeries.
Researchers found that sensory-motor circuits use overlapping mechanisms to maintain reliability even when genes or neural connections are disrupted. The study showed that redundancy in the nervous system helps prevent essential reflexes from failing and strengthens escape responses.
Recent studies have expanded our understanding of immune checkpoint functions, revealing their involvement in systemic immune homeostasis and broader inflammatory networks. Aberrant IC regulation has been linked to various conditions, including infections, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic inflammation.
Scientists from the University of Osaka have created a technique that captures cell-by-cell diversity within tissues with unprecedented precision and stability. This method has the potential to provide new insights into disease research and treatment by analyzing changes in cell chemistry.
The Gerontological Society of America has named 50 new fellows for their outstanding contributions to the field of gerontology. The fellows, chosen from across GSA's membership groups, represent diverse activities including research, teaching, and public service.
Researchers have developed a molecular imaging technology that can visualize toxic amyloid-beta oligomers, which are believed to trigger Alzheimer's disease years before symptoms appear. The technology has the potential to become next-generation PET imaging agents for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have validated a genetic scoring tool that can identify patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and predict clinical outcomes. The tool, which combines the effects of over 60,000 DNA variants, shows promise in distinguishing the disease from other forms of interstitial lung disease.
A single night of sleep testing is insufficient for an accurate diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a new study published in npj Digital Medicine. The research found that analyzing sleep patterns over multiple nights can provide a more accurate picture of the condition.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a technique that maps chemical changes directly, using natural molecular vibrations. This allows for the observation of biological processes in real-time, giving researchers a more complete picture of how diseases emerge and evolve.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that employees who feel overqualified perceive assigned tasks as unfair and worthless. Being treated with respect by managers reduces these perceptions and improves work attitude.
New review highlights remote sensing's role in monitoring global biodiversity, with satellites capturing forest structure and function. However, field data remains essential for species-level, evolutionary, and genetic dimensions of biodiversity.
A pooled data analysis of 44 countries reveals that early menopause is more prevalent in rural areas, but education and delayed childbearing minimize the risk. The overall prevalence was 7% among women aged 30-49, with the highest rates found in Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Myanmar.
Researchers at KAIST have developed a core technology for stretchable displays that expands uniformly across the entire screen without distorting images. The platform uses auxetic structures to maintain isotropic expansion, allowing fine images on-screen to expand together while maintaining their original shapes.
A new study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found that patients with adrenal tumors have unstable cortisol levels, leading to increased cardiovascular risk. Those with persistently elevated cortisol levels face a greater risk of worsening high blood pressure and cardiometabolic burden over time.
Rates of diagnosis after emergency admission are even higher among women who are young, old, frail, or live in areas of deprivation, findings indicate. Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common female cancer worldwide, taking over 200,000 lives every year.
Hospital admissions for miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy have increased in England over the past two decades, with persistent socioeconomic inequalities observed. Deliveries declined significantly during this period.
Researchers analyzed 18,396 women undergoing first IVF cycle between 2012-2021 across seven Australian fertility clinics. The study found a 68.2% cumulative live birth rate using single embryo transfer in 95.3% of cases and a multiple birth rate of just 2.9%.
Research found that Parkinson's disease triggers shared 'stress responses' but also differs between men and women at the cellular level, particularly in how glial cells manage energy and protect nerve connections. This discovery may lead to more personalized treatments for patients.
A new study reveals how biochar can directly suppress destructive soil-borne pathogens like Ralstonia solanacearum, while helping rebuild a richer and more stable soil bacterial community. Biochar's reactive oxygen species profile changes with pyrolysis temperature, making it a powerful tool for precision agriculture.
Physicists at UTEP have discovered a new type of manganese ferrite nanoparticle that can deliver targeted heat treatment to tumors, potentially improving cancer therapies. The nanoparticles were found to produce a stronger heating response than other materials, making them a promising building block for future treatments.
The online forum will synthesize evidence from 30 years of biochar research on its interactions with soil and plants. Biochar can increase phosphorus availability, reduce plant uptake of heavy metals, build soil organic carbon, lower non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions and improve crop yields.
Researchers developed a homogeneous catalytic process converting methanol, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen into ethanol using inexpensive and stable catalyst precursors. The catalyst achieved high selectivity and yield, outperforming previous systems, and showed stability during storage and recycling tests.
A new study suggests that pairing iron and manganese modified biochar with carefully chosen irrigation strategies can reduce cadmium and mercury buildup in rice. FMBC helped stabilize both metals while reshaping microbial processes to control methylmercury formation.