A nationwide Swedish study suggests folic acid may not reduce suicide risk in all age groups and sexes, casting doubt on its benefits. The study found no significant associations among women, but annual folic acid dispensing rates in men aged 20–24 were associated with higher suicide-related deaths.
A nickel-based catalyst converts 99.5% of glucose into lactic acid with a 51.7% yield, showing potential for renewable biomass production. The catalyst remained active in five reuse cycles, with glucose conversion above 97%.
A new global atmospheric model has achieved unprecedented high resolution, narrowing grid spacing to 220 meters, and eliminating instances of popcornlike rain. This allows for more accurate predictions of extreme local weather from a global model, advancing next-generation climate prediction and weather forecasting.
Researchers have developed a defect-engineered metal-organic framework catalyst that converts glucose into lactic acid with substantially improved efficiency. The catalyst showed activity toward raw biomass feedstocks, producing a 62.8% lactic acid yield at 170°C after four hours when corn cobs were used directly as a biomass feedstock.
A global analysis of catchments reveals complex behavior in 87% of rivers, with rainfall rhythm and water availability playing key roles in determining runoff responses. Simple catchments with consistent behavior are rare, concentrated in areas with steep terrain.
Cocoa farmers in West Africa face a new climate threat: excessive rainfall. Scientists at Harvard University discovered that predicting extreme rains could help protect harvests. The study found that heavy rain during the wet season and dry season can damage cocoa crops, leading to price volatility and reduced production.
A recent study by RMIT University and EPA Victoria found eight PFAS compounds in Melbourne rainwater, with concentrations below Australian drinking water guideline values. The study suggests that rain might be an important pathway for PFAS entering waterways, alongside better-known sources such as wastewater and urban runoff.
A new Cornell University study found that folic acid does not increase toxic formaldehyde or DNA damage in the body, providing reassurance for cancer patients taking high doses. The study, published in EMBO Molecular Medicine, used blood samples from nine patients taking high dose folic acid and 15 patients not taking the supplement.
A new study finds that rain falling through wildfire smoke can deliver unusually large bursts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to ecosystems in the United States. The nutrient pulses could become an increasingly important ecological consequence of fire as wildfires become more frequent.
Amino acid sensors play a crucial role in regulating tumor biology by linking nutrient availability to tumor adaptation and immune evasion. Targeting these sensing pathways may expose metabolic vulnerabilities and provide new opportunities for combination cancer therapy.
A study of 2,400 women found that high folic acid intake was associated with vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy, especially in pregnancies carrying a boy. Women taking 800 micrograms or more of folic acid per day were more likely to experience spotting and mild bleeding during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
A new study found that folic acid works with the enzyme ALDH1L1 to produce retinoic acid, a critical developmental signal for the nervous system. Folic acid's protective effect is lost when ALDH1L1 is disrupted, supporting its role in preventing neural tube defects.
Wearable sensors can track dynamic changes in uric acid levels, providing valuable information for assessing healing progress and adjusting treatment plans. Researchers have improved the accuracy and reliability of these sensors using new materials and technologies.
A highly efficient PtIn nanoalloy catalyst supported on Sn-MFI zeolite was developed for the selective oxidation of glycerol to lactic acid. The optimized catalyst achieved 96.8% glycerol conversion with 73.1% lactic acid selectivity under base-free conditions, showcasing a new strategy for designing efficient, low-Pt-loading catalysts.
Research from the University of Reading shows that cutting air pollution globally can strengthen the Indian monsoon, increasing rainfall by 0.28 millimetres a day across the country. The study found that regional action alone can have the opposite effect, reducing rainfall in parts of India.
Researchers at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) have successfully addressed an airflow anomaly caused by heavy rain, thanks to data-driven decisions and advanced airflow sensors. By analyzing this phenomenon, they've gained valuable insights for underground operations worldwide.
A brain enzyme has been found to build polysialic acid chains on itself, regulating its own activity. The sugar chain acts as a switch, suppressing the enzyme's function when attached. Once removed, the enzyme reactivates outside the cell, offering a new mechanism for regulation and repair.
A new tool, utilizing hourly soil moisture data from the SNOTEL Network, provides unprecedented insight into storm impacts on mountain snowpacks. This enables water managers to optimize reservoir operations and reduce uncertainty around flooding events.
A recent UC Irvine study analyzing health data from over 85,000 women found that access to healthcare and insurance coverage significantly influence whether women take recommended amounts of folic acid. Folic acid supplements were more commonly used by older pregnant women and non-Hispanic Black women.
A UCF researcher is investigating how probiotics can treat damage from acid reflux disease, which affects one-fourth of Americans and increases the risk for esophageal cancer. Early results show a reduction in Barrett's esophagus and delayed cancer development.
The study reports a green ion-exchange, self-catalytic strategy for turning pulp-waste lignin into high-performance wood adhesives. The optimized LA/CA adhesive showed strong dry and wet performance, meeting Type I plywood requirements and reducing costs by up to 69.6% compared to petrochemical-based adhesives.
A multi-stage coupled refining process converts high-acid-value waste cooking oil into high-performance natural ester insulating oil with improved physical, chemical and electrical properties. The process increases the oil's dielectric dissipation factor and power frequency breakdown voltage.
A new trial from China finds that giving tranexamic acid to women with placenta praevia undergoing caesarean birth leads to a significant reduction in severe bleeding after delivery. The treatment also showed no evidence of an increase in serious adverse events.
Researchers from Colorado State University are investigating the effects of rain falling on snow in the Arctic, which can influence animal behavior and habitat quality. They aim to develop a snow modeling tool to better predict changes to the environment and support decision-making for communities that rely on wildlife.
Researchers discovered that plants use a surprising multi-layered system to regulate salicylic acid levels and keep their immune system in check. This system involves enzymes that break down the hormone, which are then flagged for elimination, limiting how much salicylic acid they can destroy.
Researchers discovered that jasmonic acid promotes linalool biosynthesis by lifting a molecular brake on the OfMYB21 protein, allowing its activation. The study provides a clearer roadmap for improving floral fragrance and boosting the production of valuable aroma compounds in ornamental and industrial plants.
A new NYU study analyzes hourly ridership at 10 major NYC subway stations between 2023 and 2025. Heavy rain affects peak hour travel, while extreme cold has a smaller impact, especially off-peak. The research highlights the importance of considering infrastructure, station design, and surrounding land use in transit planning.
MIT researchers found plants respond to sound waves generated by raindrops, stimulating germination. Seeds exposed to rain sounds germinated 30-40% faster than those not exposed.
A large Nordic register-based study finds that high-dose folic acid supplementation before pregnancy reduces the risk of major congenital anomalies by 45% in women taking antiseizure medication. Starting folic acid after pregnancy onset has no protective effect.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison develop a systematic study for sustainable production of malonic acid via oxidation of 3-hydroxypropionic acid with a Pd/Carbon catalyst. The kinetic model validated the network, displaying excellent agreement and providing insight into conditions that maximize MA production.
A new study highlights the significant role of quality of dietary fat, rather than total amount consumed. Research reveals that palmitic acid can promote toxic bioactive lipids and low-grade inflammation, while oleic acid may have a protective effect against metabolic disorders.
A new method developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge uses solar-powered acid photoreforming to break down hard-to-recycle plastics into clean hydrogen fuel and valuable industrial chemicals. This approach could create a circular system where one waste stream solves another, reducing plastic waste and pollution.
A new study by PSU researchers found that wildfires can intensify midwinter rain-on-snow events, leading to rapid snowmelt and increased flood risk. This threatens the region's critical seasonal water storage, refilling reservoirs and producing hydroelectric power.
Research systematically maps how bacterial metabolites influence disease progression and immune cell functions, highlighting their dual effects on the body. The review emphasizes the need for holistic regulation of metabolite profiles to achieve precision interventions.
A new field study reveals that biochar can significantly restore soil health and nitrogen availability in forests affected by acid rain. Biochar triggers major biological changes in the soil, enhancing microbial biomass and increasing nitrogen use efficiency.
Research from the University of Washington reveals that warming winters in the Pacific Northwest are leading to more rain-on-snow events, icy crusts, and complex avalanche forecasting. The study's findings suggest that regions like Eastern Washington, Idaho, and Montana may see an increase in avalanche risk due to warmer temperatures.
A new US-based method using engineered yeast produces oxalic acid, enabling efficient and sustainable recovery of rare earth elements. The process extracts almost all the rare earth elements from low-grade ore with high efficiency.
The study reveals a novel hydrogen-bonding motif in the deprotonated dimer of phosphoric acid, which may be key to understanding proton transport in phosphoric acid-based systems. This finding provides insight into the molecular origin of phosphoric acid's extraordinary proton conductivity.
Researchers have developed a more reliable method for measuring natural nitrogen isotope signatures of atmospheric ammonia, allowing for stronger tools to trace pollution sources and improve air quality management. The new approach uses sulfuric acid absorption, achieving higher ammonia recovery rates and stable isotope measurements.
Blautia luti produces formic acid as an electron taxi, bypassing the energetically costly production of hydrogen. The bacterium detoxifies formic acid via a special metabolic pathway, linked to sugar breakdown and acetic acid production.
A research team clarifies the molecular mechanism of Ostα/β, a major basolateral bile acid exporter in enterocytes. The study reveals a unique seven-transmembrane fold and lateral substrate-binding groove that accommodates amphipathic substrates.
A living biosensor made of bacteria detects acetic acid levels in wine, alerting wineries to potential spoilage. The sensor works in real-time and can detect volatile acetic acid in the air above wine bottles, enabling early intervention before damage is done.
This study found differences in fecal microbiome and bile acid content between preterm infants with parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis (PNAC) and those without PNAC. PNAC development was associated with higher abundance of Proteobacteria, Fusobacteriota, and lower Bacteroidota in cholestatic infants.
Alternate wetting and moderate drying irrigation enhances milled rice with increased lipid, free fatty acid, and unsaturated fatty acid content. This improves rice cooking quality through enhanced optimization of lipid synthesis in grains.
A team of researchers developed a modular and programmable fatty acid synthesis platform that enables high specificity production of medium-chain fatty acids in yeast. The engineered strain achieved a titer of 708.6 mg/L, comparable to the abundance in coconut and palm kernel oils.
Researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 to create rice mutants with increased oleic acid content and decreased linoleic acid levels. The study demonstrates a novel strategy for designing functional rice cultivars with improved nutritional value and stable agronomic traits.
Researchers discover hydroperoxides form from α-keto acids in clouds, rain, and aerosol water when exposed to sunlight, influencing atmospheric hydrogen peroxide levels and particle formation. The study provides a new framework for understanding hydroperoxides' role in the atmosphere.
A new study found that popular AI tools for predicting river flow often misinterpret how heat and evaporation affect water, raising concerns for flood and drought planning. The researchers developed a hydrology-specific 'explainable AI' framework to uncover these issues.
Researchers discovered that nicotinic acid can dramatically reduce liver damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury. The compound targets damaged mitochondria, reducing markers of liver injury, suppressing inflammation, and promoting mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis.
Recent research reveals that volcanic eruptions can cause unpredictable weather patterns, including volcanic rain, dust storms, and unstable Antarctic air. The study also found that the Antarctic surface atmosphere has become less stable and more prone to gravity waves since the 1950s.
A 150-day microcosm experiment simulated acid rain, weakening native microbial networks and creating space for invasive pathogens. The study found that surviving populations underwent major genomic remodeling, evolving into more persistent and virulent strains.
A new study found that acid rain can destabilize soil microbiomes, making it easier for disease-causing microbes like E. coli O157:H7 to invade and persist. The researchers discovered that acid rain accelerates the evolution of high-risk pathogens, which can lead to severe foodborne illness and increased mortality rates in animals.
Research reveals that miR-378 acts as a metabolic-state-dependent switch controlling liver autophagy and lipid balance. Under short-term fasting, miR-378 promotes lipid clearance by suppressing its target gene MAFG, while during prolonged fasting or high-fat feeding, it increases bile acid synthesis leading to fat accumulation.
A new rain correction approach using dual-frequency measurements from the WindRAD instrument aboard the FY-3E satellite significantly improves wind measurement accuracy during moderate rainfall. The method reduces wind speed root-mean-square errors by approximately 0.2 m s−1 and wind direction errors by about 1.6°.
Researchers at TU Wien uncover how silver iodide crystals interact with water at the atomic scale to form ice crystals. The study reveals that only one surface structure of the crystal promotes ice nucleation, shedding light on the complex mechanisms behind cloud seeding.
A long-term study in the White Mountains of New Hampshire found that recovering forests are using roots to mine minerals for nutrients, leading to improved stream pH but depleted soil fertility. This process enhances mineral weathering, which can make forests more vulnerable to future pollution.
Scientists studied the crystalline waste of over 20 reptile species and found spheres of uric acid in all of them. This unique packaging method may inform treatments for human conditions like kidney stones and gout.
Researchers found that oleic acid enhances γδ-T cell immunosurveillance, while palmitic acid weakens it. The study suggests that simple dietary changes like eating more olive oil and avocados could improve cancer treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that communities with green infrastructure systems like rain gardens saw a notable reduction in cadmium, copper, nickel, and zinc being sent into local waterways. Implementing more of these systems can improve water quality, make cities cooler, and enhance ecosystem services.
Scientists at University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy have discovered a new explanation for the formation of solar rain in the Sun's corona. By allowing elemental abundances to change over time, their models finally match observed phenomena, providing fresh insights into coronal heating and the Sun's behavior during flares.