Researchers at Penn State have successfully developed a novel plasma medicine technique that effectively targets and kills bacteria in liquid cultures without developing resistance. The process uses low-temperature plasma generated from atmospheric pressure or liquids, creating reactive particles with antibacterial effects.
Researchers analyzed DNA of 89 ancient humans in the central Andes, finding early genetic differences between regions and surprising continuity. Genetic analysis revealed a north-south substructure of the Highlands developing by 5,800 BP, with minimal changes to the genetic structure of the central Andean region between 2,000 and 500 BP.
Researchers use computer simulations to model the expansions of four archaeological cultures in South America, showing that some expansions may be due to similar demographic processes as the Neolithic in Eurasia. The study found that population growth and migration can explain the spread of these cultures across vast distances.
Cognitive neuroscientists are using computers to illuminate human emotions, overturning old ideas about emotion structure. Facial expression recognition across cultures reveals only four cross-cultural expressions, while digital agents can now generate nuanced, culturally sensitive expressions.
Researchers developed a low-toxicity antimicrobial peptide that effectively fought drug-resistant bacteria in laboratory cell cultures and mice, offering hope for treating respiratory infections. The new peptide, D8, showed remarkable stability and activity against superbugs, posing less risk to human cells.
A new systematic review highlights the importance of emotional and psychological support, community involvement, and personal growth for new mothers during the postnatal period. The study identified four recurring themes that shape a positive post-birth experience, providing insights for caregivers to improve maternal care.
A new study finds that cultural orientation significantly affects how individuals perceive the relationship between power and status. In cultures with a vertical collectivist orientation, powerful leaders are often seen as having high status, while in horizontal collectivistic cultures, high-status individuals are viewed as powerful. T...
Researchers have developed a simple method to prepare 3D keratin scaffold models that mimic the structure and biological function of native extracellular matrix. The study demonstrates the ability of cells to grow on these scaffolds without morphological changes or apoptosis, making them promising candidates for tissue engineering.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and UBC found that a genetically modified variant of ACE2 reduced SARS-CoV-2 viral growth by a factor of 1,000 to 5,000 in cell cultures. The study suggests the potential for a novel drug treatment to help patients with early-stage COVID-19.
The Calusa kingdom relied primarily on fishing due to the watercourts, which were built around A.D. 1300 and served as short-term holding pens for fish before consumption or preservation. The structure's design required an understanding of daily and seasonal tides, hydrology, and the biology of various fish species.
A new case study using 5 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines shows improved drug screening through morphology and dead cell readouts. The research aims to enhance the value of cancer drug discovery and development success rates.
Dr. Edie Goldberg has been recognized as a Fellow of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) for her outstanding contributions to the field of I-O psychology. She is known for developing best practices in talent management systems and building high-performance cultures.
Dr. Sharon Glazer has been recognized as a Fellow of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) for her meaningful impact on cross-cultural practice and theory in I-O psychology. She is known for her research on occupational stress, culture, and global virtual teams.
A new theoretical framework based on adaptive phenotypic plasticity explains why cultures differ, providing insights into human behavior and making predictions about cultural variation. The framework suggests that proximity to family is related to high rates of prosocial behaviors.
A new study by University of Bristol scientists found that secular cultures with tolerance of minority groups tend to have more wealth, education, and democracy. The research suggests that changes in culture generally come before economic improvements, making cultural values a crucial predictor of future prosperity.
A new organ-on-a-chip technology advance from Harvard University enables scientists to effectively replicate drug- and radiation-induced toxicity responses observed in human patients. The chip also replicated blood cell formation defects seen in patients with a rare genetic disorder, accurately predicting previously unknown abnormalities.
A survey across 42 countries found agreement on sacrificing one life to save many, suggesting cognitive processes underlie moral reasoning. Quantitative acceptability varied by country, with cautious cultures rejecting such sacrifices.
New study finds low doses of ionizing radiation used in medical imaging create breaks that allow extra bits of DNA to integrate into the chromosome, potentially leading to mutations. The researchers stress that translating these findings to animal models is necessary to determine full effects and impact on patient health.
A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that typhoid prevalence is likely higher than estimated due to missed blood cultures, with patients more likely to have cultures if older, feverish or suspected urinary tract infection.
When non-motile E. coli and motile A. baylyi are mixed, stunning floral patterns emerge due to differences in growth rate, motility, and friction against the agar surface. This phenomenon has important implications for understanding growing biofilms.
A study of over 2,500 people in the US and China identified 13 universal emotional responses to music, including amusement, joy, and relaxation. The research provides a framework for understanding how music evokes emotions across cultures and has potential applications in psychology, therapy, and music streaming services.
Researchers mapped emotion words across 2,474 languages to find significant variation in emotional expression across cultures. The human experience of emotions is shaped by both biological evolution and the words used to describe those feelings.
Researchers found that vesicles isolated from four strains of Lactobacillus bacteria interfere with HIV infection, reducing the number of infected cells. The study suggests ways to reduce male-to-female HIV transmission.
A global survey of over 7,000 people from 27 countries reveals that kin care and long-term relationships are the most important motivations in life, surpassing mate seeking. People who prioritize family values tend to be more satisfied with their lives and have better well-being.
A recent study in Science journal found that all cultures studied have similar music characteristics, such as fast rhythms for dance and soft tempos for lullabies. This suggests that there are fundamental universal properties of music that reflect commonalities in human cognition.
Human songs share common patterns despite cultural diversity, with predicted social functions and contexts emerging from musical features. The study provides insights into cognitive universals underlying music creation and enjoyment.
A team of scientists has discovered 79 new types of bacteria with potential to produce unique antibiotics. The researchers, led by Christian Jogler, found that these Planctomycetes have complex lifestyles and the ability to produce small molecules like antibiotics.
Microbiologists discover that wild-type Penicillium molds can evolve rapidly into domesticated strains, such as Penicillium camemberti, used in cheese production. After just weeks of growth, the wild mold resembles its domesticated cousin, changing its metabolism and appearance
Researchers from CNIO developed stable long-term cultures of mouse urothelial cells, enabling the study of biological mechanisms underlying bladder cancer. They identified a small population of stem cells that gives rise to cancer, providing new insights into disease development and tissue regeneration.
Scientists discover 45,000-year-old microliths in Sri Lanka's Fa-Hien Lena cave, pushing back the timeline of advanced tool use in South Asia. The discovery suggests that early humans adapted to rainforest environments with sophisticated technology, enabling them to thrive and spread across the globe.
A new 3D structure made from protein fibers allows for the reliable growth of patient cancer cells, enabling doctors to test medications on model tumors grown from a patient's own cells. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments and better understanding of cancer biology.
A newly discovered bacterium, A6, can break down per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by transferring electrons from ammonium or hydrogen gas, rendering them harmless. The degradation process could potentially biodegrade PFAS in contaminated soil and groundwater under appropriate environmental conditions.
A new study finds that drawing blood cultures after starting antimicrobial treatment can result in a significant loss of available clinical information. The study suggests that drawing blood cultures prior to treatment may be more effective in identifying the bacteria causing the infection and selecting the right antibiotic.
A new study has found that initiating antibiotics immediately before obtaining blood cultures significantly affects their sensitivity and ability to diagnose bacterial and fungal infections. This change in guidelines may reduce mortality rates from sepsis, a life-threatening condition with a 20% mortality rate.
A study on a 9,000-year-old grave in southern Jordan provides new insights into emerging leadership in early farming communities. The authors propose that the presence of exotic items and proximity to other graves suggest a person who achieved individual prestige through trade networks while maintaining close status within the community.
A Stanford-led study found that incorporating traditional techniques into current fire suppression practices could help revitalize American Indian cultures, economies, and livelihoods. The approach increased the production of high-quality stems needed to make culturally significant items up to 10-fold compared with untreated shrubs.
Researchers found that societies with specialist cultures form densely connected networks, while generalist cultures result in sparser networks. Specialists have higher proficiencies due to learning from peers, but may be harmed by environmental changes.
A new study reveals that HIV transmission occurs mainly through direct cell-to-cell contact in 3D cell cultures, contradicting the traditional assumption of viral particle diffusion. This breakthrough could lead to new therapeutic approaches for HIV treatment.
Archaeologists unearthed shards of ceramic vessels at Real Alto site in Ecuador, which date back to the formative period and coincide with Valdivia culture. The findings suggest a new archaeological culture existed simultaneously with Valdivia on the Pacific coast of Ecuador.
Boston University School of Medicine researcher Tarik F. Haydar received a $453,750 NIH grant to develop human stem cell-derived cultures for studying white matter abnormality in Down syndrome. He aims to understand how neural stem cells generate the cerebral cortex.
Researchers at CNIO have developed a method to isolate haploid mammalian cells with half the number of chromosomes, enabling efficient genetic research. Chemical compounds like DAB selectively favor haploid cells over diploid ones, promoting cell growth and replacement.
A UTSA researcher examines how individuals use social media to engage with their cultures, finding that technology enables people to construct a 'third land' and enact ethnic identities. The study highlights the importance of online participation in shaping identity formation and sense of belonging among immigrant populations.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a novel set of MYC promoter G-quadruplex stabilizers that demonstrate anticancer activity in human cancer cell cultures. The agents downregulate the expression of the MYC oncogene, which is overexpressed in cancer and associated with all aspects of cancer development.
Researchers found that CFTR inhibitors, including investigational drug (R)-BPO-27, can fully block the increased CFTR activity caused by chenodeoxycholic acid. This inhibition reduces excessive secretion in the colon due to bile acids, offering a new therapeutic option for patients with conditions like Crohn's disease and IBS-D.
Researchers at the University of Akron have developed 3D tumor models that more accurately replicate human tumors than traditional 2D cultures. These models are being used to test new drugs and understand the drivers of triple-negative breast cancer, a type of cancer with limited treatment options.
The switch from 2D to 3D cell cultures in drug discovery improves the accuracy of human physiological conditions and increases the success rates of drugs. High-content analysis with 3D cell cultures is expected to increase the quality of compounds progressing to preclinical stages.
Archaeologists discovered unusual ring-shaped objects made from barley and wheat dough in a Late Bronze Age hillfort site. The finds suggest that these cereal rings were not intended for eating and may have been created for ritual purposes, expanding our understanding of ancient food diversity.
Researchers at Harvard University have created miniature, 3D tissue cultures that model a patient's own brain cells in a dish, offering great promise for studying disease in humans directly. The new method consistently grows the same types of cells, in the same order, as the developing human cerebral cortex.
A new study by UNLV researchers found that women are more likely than men to remove pubic hair in non-Western cultures, citing hygiene concerns as a primary motive. In contrast, Western societies tend to shave or wax due to the influence of pornography and product marketing.
Scientists can now study ancient proteins to gain a more complete picture of past species and cultures. Research has revealed that ancient humans consumed grains, legumes, dairy products and meat, while Mongolians consumed dairy products long before known genetic mutations for lactose tolerance.
Research from Iowa State University found that cultural values significantly limit the effectiveness of transformational leadership. The four core components of transformational leadership were tested in nearly 200 studies of over 57,000 employees from 34 countries.
Scientists have developed a new test to examine a drug's embryotoxicity in cell cultures instead of animals. The test uses human liver tissue and embryoid bodies, allowing for early detection of substances harmful to embryos.
The T2Bacteria Panel accurately diagnoses common bloodstream infections in 3-8 hours, compared to 24-72 hours for blood cultures. This rapid diagnosis may improve clinical outcomes by shortening the time to appropriate antibiotic treatment.
A 5000-year-old mass grave in southern Poland has been uncovered, revealing the gruesome murder of a large family. Genetic analysis has shown that the victims were related, with mothers and children buried together, suggesting a deep sense of care and unity.
Researchers at Kobe University successfully grew precursors for human pigment cells, providing a stable supply of melanocytes for research on melanoma and other pigment cell-related illnesses. These precursor cells can be used to study the causes of albinism, freckles, and melanoma.
Bacteria use a hopping motion to move through tight spaces in the human intestine, improving medical and environmental technologies. Researchers at Princeton University developed a new model with improved accuracy, leveraging complex geometry simulations.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine examined coatings on drug-coated balloon catheters using microscopy and cell cultures to improve delivery efficiency. They found that coating shape affects drug transfer, leading to better device performance and potential outcomes.
Researchers analyzed B. fragilis' evolution in humans, finding 16 genes evolve within individuals, targeting pathways for fiber uptake and immune system interactions. The study also revealed differences in mutations between Western and Eastern cultures, with potential implications for probiotic choices and microbial therapies.
A Monash University study found that exposure to coffee-related cues can trigger cognitive benefits, such as increased alertness and energy levels, in participants from Western cultures. The research used mental construal theory and demonstrated the power of psychological associations in shaping our thinking and behavior.
A University of Toronto study found that exposure to coffee-related cues can increase physiological arousal, leading to more alert and attentive thinking. The effect was stronger among Western cultures, suggesting a possible link between coffee consumption and arousal.