Brightsurf delivers daily science news discoveries, articles, and the latest scientific breakthroughs. Your trusted source for science news today, covering nature news, science & technology, and scientific discoveries from leading research institutions worldwide.
The study categorizes homicides into single-victim, multi-victim, and mass fatalities, revealing distinct demographics and circumstances. Mass homicides more often involved non-Hispanic White victims and children, whereas single- and multi-victim homicides more often involved NH Black victims and acquaintances or friends as suspects.
SourceElsevier·JournalAnnals of Epidemiology·TypeData/statistical analysis
A new study from the University of Mississippi and Texas A&M University demonstrates a simpler, lower-cost way to produce carbon-recycling catalysts at larger scales, addressing a major barrier to commercial adoption. The new catalyst could reduce the cost of recycling to $145 per ton, some $255 below the current market price.
The CATALYST project, funded by the European Union, aims to transform research culture by integrating proven reproducibility tools and practices into daily work. By targeting 15 departments across Europe, the project seeks to foster sustainable change and increase reproducibility.
Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School and the Marine Biological Laboratory identified four core clock genes controlling circadian rhythms in a crustacean, which also regulate circatidal behavior. The genetic system is highly malleable, allowing the tiny shrimp to maintain both a 24-hour and a 12.4-hour clock.
The new imaging system allows scientists to capture high-resolution fluorescence images in real time under normal room lighting, giving them a more complete picture of biological changes. SphynxVision can capture multiple images per second and reveal remarkably small details, such as tiny blood vessels and clusters of cancer cells.
A new study challenges decades-old assumptions about Alzheimer's disease pathology by identifying tau proteins' birthplace in dendrites. The research proposes that misfolded tau proteins are created locally in dendrites and eliminated by the neuroproteasome, shedding light on the early stages of tau pathology.
A UBC-led study finds that insects pose a more immediate threat to North American forests, with over 60% of areas projected to experience 30% more insect pressure by mid-century. Climate change and pests could jeopardize critical carbon sinks and air quality, costing billions of dollars in economic losses.
Researchers discovered 5 subtypes of liver disease, each with unique risks for heart disease, liver failure, and cancer. The study, published in Nature Communications, used genetic sequencing and clinical data to define distinct subtypes of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.
A new method, called CW-Net, translates the reasoning process of an autonomous vehicle's AI system into understandable concepts that explain its behavior. CW-Net explains the decisions of machine learning-based planners using concepts like
A recent study shows how advanced optical imaging can reveal the metabolic activity of individual immune cells within a complex blood sample. Machine-learning algorithms were used to determine whether metabolic measurements alone could identify different immune-cell populations and detect immune activation.
A molecular brake in muscle architecture prevents T-tubule growth, maintaining muscle fibre coordination. The cortical actin network restricts membrane availability, allowing for controlled T-tubule formation.
Researchers at IIT Gandhinagar develop a gold nanorod-based platform for ER-targeted cancer treatment, combining targeted drug delivery with photothermal therapy. The approach induces ER stress-mediated autophagy and apoptosis in cancer cells.
A new study suggests that carefully selected patients with recurrent DIPG may experience longer survival and improved quality of life after receiving a third course of radiation therapy. The study analyzed 12 patients and found that median survival was 27 months, substantially longer than typically reported for DIPG.
A new study analyzing a large dataset reveals that cattle were initially more abundant than sheep, but sheep increased in the 7th century, driven by monastic farms and wool production. The economy shifted towards draught cattle in the 10th to 12th centuries, but then declined as demand for meat and milk grew
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study
Researchers have uncovered the 3,500-year history of sheeppox virus in medieval manuscripts, including the York Gospels. The study found genetic evidence of the disease in animal skins used to make parchment, providing insights into its evolution and impact on past societies.
Research suggests that women's hormonal fluctuations during ovulation drive their desire for luxury goods, which may serve as a visible signal to attract mates. Studies found that women near ovulation prefer more conspicuous luxury products and display luxury in public, but not in private.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeExperimental study
A clinical observational study found that individuals with severe sleep apnea have lower levels of the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 in their blood. This suggests that LL-37 could serve as a potential biomarker for poor sleep quality.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One
An international team has observed a distinctive change in the quantum properties of atoms as they fell under gravity, measuring a tiny difference in quantum phase accumulated while one was falling and the other was held still. This result provides an experimental connection between quantum physics and Einstein's theory of gravity.
Researchers identified microRNA-224 as a promising treatment target for pulmonary arterial hypertension, a rare disease that damages the blood vessels in the lungs and strains the heart. Blocking the molecule reversed key signs of the disease in animal models, improving blood vessel function and heart performance.
SourceVirginia Tech·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study
A new class of KRAS inhibitors has shown at least as much potential as FDA-approved MEK inhibitors in shrinking NF1 tumors, preventing new ones from forming, and extending survival in mice. The treatment has the potential to be less severe in terms of side effects, making it an attractive alternative or replacement for MEK inhibitors.
A new review highlights key knowledge gaps in Antarctic coastal observations, limiting estimates of ice loss and future sea-level rise. The authors emphasize the need for improved observations at a pan-Antarctic scale to predict future change.
The PAN2-PAN3 complex initiates mRNA degradation in early embryo development by trimming long poly(A) tails. Its deficiency causes transcript clearance failure, leading to developmental toxicity.
A KIT study reveals correlation between heat and demographic structure, with air and land surface temperature showing different patterns. The results indicate a clear spatial correlation between population structure and heat, with different demographics exposed to varying temperature levels in cities.
Australian engineers have created a strong and lightweight titanium material that floats in water, even after severe damage, revealing a promising new material for marine infrastructure. The 3D-printed titanium lattice is 70% stronger than stainless steel and withholds seawater exposure, making it suitable for jetties, buoys, and float...
A study finds that younger cohorts and regions with lower economic development will experience higher lifetime heatwave exposure under climate change. Climate change is widening inequalities between generations and regions, with younger people facing more frequent and intense heat extremes.
Advances in photonic instrumentation are reshaping Brillouin imaging capabilities, enabling dynamic imaging, three-dimensional measurements, and complex biological specimens. However, translating optical measurements into reliable biological interpretation requires rigorous interpretation of Brillouin observables.
Dissimilatory iodate-reducing microorganisms (DIRMs) inhabit marine oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) where oxygen is depleted, contradicting theoretical predictions. DIRMs reduce nitrate (NO3⁻) before iodate (IO3⁻), allowing them to thrive in OMZs.
The study projects that the total number of people with dementia will increase from 124,000 in 2018 to 216,000 by 2040, with those living at home potentially doubling to 170,000. The growth will be driven by an aging population and increased life expectancy.
Researchers found that teens use subtlety and systematized harm online, while adults often overlook. LGBTQ+ students, gender nonconforming students, and students from disadvantaged backgrounds are most likely to experience bullying. Social media becomes a primary way young people learn about diversity and create support systems.
Researchers have developed an injectable hydrogel microsphere system to enhance bone regeneration by creating a protective environment for bone-forming cells. The system, made of sodium alginate and black phosphorus, promotes faster bone healing and improves cell survival rates.
MRI revealed rare cervical cancer spread into the uterine corpus, which was confirmed by histopathology. The unusual pattern created diagnostic challenges and required careful individual assessment. The study highlights the importance of recognizing less typical imaging features in evaluating suspected cervical malignancy.
The study found that obese individuals exhibited bulging during global maneuvers, whereas non-obese individuals showed bulging only during a curl-up. Shear-wave elastography captured dynamic mechanical response of the abdominal wall, revealing fundamentally different biomechanical properties in obese versus non-obese individuals.
SourceHigher Education Press·JournalInternational Journal of Abdominal Wall and Hernia Surgery·TypeExperimental study
The loss of chromosome Y in hematopoietic cells is a biologically meaningful event with direct functional consequences for human health. Hematopoietic loss of chromosome Y is linked to various diseases, including cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative conditions, and cancer.
This review examines the dual effects of Bupleuri Radix through the gut-liver axis, revealing its hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. The review highlights the importance of saikosaponins, microbial biotransformation, and the gut-liver axis in understanding BR's biological activity and potential toxicity.
A new PET/MRI technique targeting fibroblast activation protein (FAP) overexpressed in endometriosis accurately maps the extent of the disease, enabling personalized management and improving patient outcomes. The approach was particularly effective in regions of the pelvis and abdomen that are typically difficult to image.
Exosome-based therapies have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in promoting epithelial wound healing and reducing inflammation in corneal ulcers and dry eye disease. The therapies also show antifibrotic effects and potential as gene therapy delivery vehicles or modulators of cellular metabolism for corneal dystrophies.
A. Campbell Sullivan, a neuropsychologist, discovered a gap between treatment and science of ALS and dementia in her own family. She notes that advances in genetics and biomarker discovery are transforming research and care in ALS and FTD.
Professor Lady Black, a renowned forensic scientist, has been appointed Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University, succeeding Lord Bernard Ribeiro. Her appointment coincides with the launch of the university's 10-year strategy, Transforming Lives, which aims to empower learning, drive discovery, and foster a culture of belonging and achie...
A new enzyme, named Pac-Man enzyme, has been discovered in bacteria that can break down certain polyesters and bioplastics, providing a potential solution to plastic pollution. This discovery suggests that microorganisms can adapt to plastic degradation more rapidly than previously thought, offering a turning point in the plastisphere.
Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia have discovered a protein, TG2, that contributes to arterial stiffening and inflammation linked to high blood pressure. By blocking TG2 activity, they found that inflammation can be reduced, potentially leading to more precise treatments for cardiovascular disease.