A new study by Wilhelmina Kalt and colleagues found that a blueberry-supplemented diet did not improve sight in the dark, but helped subjects recover normal vision after exposure to bright light. The enhancement was small and unlikely to be noticeable to most healthy individuals.
Researchers have developed a fast and low-cost method to create flexible electronic sensors on paper using silver nanowire ink. The new technology has the potential to make medical tools more accessible and affordable.
A new study published by the American Chemical Society finds that switching to cleaner heating oils could prevent up to 290 premature deaths and 550 emergency room visits in New York City annually. The study estimates that emissions reductions would benefit high-poverty neighborhoods the most.
A single-dose Ebola vaccine given to primates through their noses and lungs protected them against infection for at least 21 weeks. The vaccine's effectiveness could help prevent the spread of Ebola and other diseases through unintentional pricks.
The FDA has approved dozens of nanodrugs without a formal definition, leading to case-by-case examination and nonbinding guidance. This complexity hinders the development of generic nanodrugs, potentially delaying price savings for patients.
A low-cost electronic tongue has been developed to detect various substances in samples, including food, water, and blood, enabling accurate quality checks and monitoring for pollutants. The device's precision and affordability make it suitable for applications in medical diagnostics, pharmaceutical testing, and environmental monitoring.
Researchers developed a wireless, light-sensitive film that can stimulate neurons and potentially treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The new device outperforms existing technologies in terms of durability, flexibility, and efficiency.
Scientists discover that people with celiac disease also react to non-gluten wheat proteins, which could lead to improved understanding and treatments of the disease. The study identifies five groups of non-gluten proteins causing immune reactions in patients, suggesting a broader range of potential triggers.
Researchers have developed a new kind of ink that mimics the color-shifting ability of a longhorn beetle, offering a durable alternative to current methods. The ink can be fine-tuned to change color in response to environmental factors, making it difficult to copy.
Researchers develop composite material that harnesses visible light to degrade endocrine disruptors, including BPA and phenol, in a promising breakthrough. The method offers a more efficient alternative to existing ultraviolet light-based approaches.
Scientists are developing low-cost air-cleaning devices to replace expensive metals like platinum and palladium. Recent studies have shown promising results in improving indoor air quality, potentially alleviating symptoms of 'sick-building syndrome'
Scientists have developed micromotors that use water as fuel to rapidly neutralize chemical and biological warfare agents. The micromotors propelled titanium dioxide to accelerate the decontamination process, showing promise in combating these dangerous agents.
Companies like Invista and Genomatica are pursuing plant-based nylon intermediates from sugar, while Coca-Cola is making progress toward a 100% biobased soda bottle. The main challenge to this shift is economics, with prices needing to drop to competitive levels and manufacturers investing in new facilities.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict which chemicals people are exposed to the most, ranking nearly 8,000 substances. The study aims to help prioritize future efforts to understand potential health risks of thousands of chemicals.
Researchers found that plants produce special molecules called sinapate esters to protect themselves from harsh ultraviolet-B radiation. These molecules appear to block UVB radiation from penetrating deeper into leaves, hindering plant growth. The study provides insight into the mechanics of how these natural plant sunscreens work.
A new skin patch has successfully detected malaria proteins in live mice, paving the way for a less painful and more accessible diagnostic method. The patch, designed by Simon R. Corrie's team, captures multiple biomarkers for diseases like malaria, which could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers developed a cost-saving software-based method that compares pressure and flow rate measurements with mathematical models to accurately detect small leaks in pipelines. This technique successfully reduced errors by 18% and estimated potential savings of millions of dollars compared to existing leak-detection methods.
A Scottish startup is scaling up its whisky waste-to-fuel process, converting draff and pot ale into ethanol and 1-butanol. The company has secured funding from the UK government and private investors to move towards a commercial plant.
A recent study by Mohamed Bouaziz and colleagues found that olive oil maintains its quality and nutrition better than seed oils when deep-fried or pan-fried. The researchers tested four different refined oils and found that olive oil was the most stable, while sunflower oil degraded the fastest.
Researchers have developed a simple and inexpensive method to remove arsenic from contaminated groundwater using discarded cigarette ash coated with aluminum oxide. This method is particularly useful for rural and developing regions where access to advanced treatment technology is limited.
Scientists have developed a new family of materials for making household LED bulbs without using rare earth elements, which are increasingly expensive. These materials, made from copper iodide, offer a warm white glow and low-cost solution process, showing significant promise for general lighting applications.
Scientists have developed a breath analyzer for dolphins, allowing for non-invasive diagnosis of health issues. The instrument captures metabolites in dolphin breath to identify changes associated with disease or environmental factors.
Researchers developed stealthy nanoparticles that successfully deliver cancer vaccines to a subset of macrophages deep inside lymph nodes, hindering tumor growth. The nanoparticles bypass circulating immune cells and enter the lymph nodes' core, where they are engulfed by special kind of macrophage.
Researchers investigate formation and stability of calcium alginate spheres in molecular gastronomy, finding key role for calcium ions and spontaneous wrapping of alginate chains around liquid droplets. The study's findings could help chefs design innovative cooking techniques, leading to even more fanciful dishes.
A new genetic test developed by scientists can detect canine fecal contamination in water, providing insights into the scale of the problem. The test identified 11 genetic markers common to most dog samples but absent from human ones, revealing the significant role dogs play in contaminating US waterways.
Researchers have developed an inexpensive and simple method to create transparent, flexible transistors, a crucial component of flexible electronics. The new technology has the potential to bring roll-up smartphones with see-through displays to market in just a few years.
Scientists have found that discharge of fracking wastewater into rivers can contaminate drinking water supplies. Even after passage through wastewater treatment plants, halides in the wastewater can lead to toxic byproducts when treated with conventional methods.
Scientists have developed a method to inject tonsil-derived stem cells into damaged livers, potentially treating liver disease without surgery. The technique uses a heat-sensitive liquid to grow liver cells on a 3-D scaffold, showing promise as an injectable tissue engineering approach.
A new technique for detecting meat adulteration has been reported by scientists from Germany, offering a vast improvement over current methods. The approach uses protein analysis to reliably detect as little as 0.24% horse or pork in processed beef samples.
Researchers developed tiny hollow shells to contain Li-S compounds, achieving high-energy storage capacity of 630 mAh/g. The new battery technology could potentially offer up to five times the energy of existing lithium-ion batteries.
A novel, efficient fog collector inspired by shorebirds' beaks has been developed, promising a sustainable solution for communities in arid regions. The device collects water from fog using a simple, rectangular design that mimics the shorebird's feeding mechanism.
A Mexican plant-based fixative alternative to expensive ambergris could significantly reduce the environmental impact of perfumery. Researchers found that producing this new fixative could generate $20 million in local profits and create hundreds of jobs, while minimizing its environmental cost through renewable energy use.
Researchers have developed an electronic skin device that can detect and image small lumps in the breast, allowing for earlier identification of breast cancer. The device has been tested on a silicone breast model and shown to be highly accurate, with a potential survival rate increase of over 94%.
Researchers create low-cost, disposable platform for detecting bath salts with high accuracy, suitable for handheld sensor development. The technique uses environmentally friendly electrodes and validates its results against established methods.
Researchers developed a new method to detect malignant brain tumors using a handheld Raman scanner, which can identify cancerous cells with high accuracy. The technique has the potential to improve surgical outcomes and reduce tumor recurrence rates.
A study by Solange Cadore and colleagues found that dark chocolates in Brazil contained high levels of lead and cadmium. The researchers tested 30 commercial samples and found that the highest amounts of these metals were present in dark chocolate products, posing a health risk to children who consume them.
Scientists and policymakers debate ways to curb sugar consumption amid growing health concerns. Despite reduced sugar intake over the past 15 years, Americans still consume excessive amounts, leading to high blood pressure, heart disease, and other conditions.
Researchers develop a potential therapy for Sudan ebolavirus, showing promising results in laboratory tests and mouse models. The humanized antibody has been identified as an immunotherapeutic candidate to treat SUDV infection.
Researchers from the Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority and Wuerzburg University devised a new way to authenticate organic produce. Their report uses nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to differentiate between conventional and organic tomatoes.
A new study published in ACS Chemical Neuroscience throws doubt on the notion that serotonin deficiency is key to depression. Despite being 'depressed' due to a lack of serotonin production, mice lacked this ability showed no signs of depression-like symptoms.
Researchers developed a novel process to convert rice, parsley and vegetable waste into biodegradable plastic films with promising traits. The bioplastics have the potential to replace non-degrading polymers and provide a more environmentally friendly option for replacing synthetic plastics.
Certain sunblock ingredients, like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles, can become toxic when washed off skin into ocean water. This toxicity affects phytoplankton, the microscopic algae that feed small fish and other marine animals.
X-ray crystallography has revolutionized our understanding of molecular structures and their influence on various scientific fields. The technique's future holds intriguing possibilities, including potential transformations beyond its current form.
Scientists developed a new compound that targets the 'receptor' responsible for pain caused by chili peppers. The compound, tested in clinical trials, has shown promise in treating various types of pain.
A team of researchers has developed a 'self-fitting' material that can precisely fill bone defects in the head, face, and jaw, providing a potential solution for reconstructing facial features after injuries or surgery. The material, made from a shape-memory polymer, expands with warm salt water to conform to irregular defect shapes.
A new study reveals that fracking fluids contain eight substances toxic to mammals and raise concerns about their potential health impacts. The research highlights the need to characterize compounds used in hydraulic fracturing to evaluate environmental and human health effects.
Scientists have discovered that the exact chemical make-up of dusty air, including microbes found in it, is crucial to predicting rain events and understanding regional climate. The research could lead to more accurate weather forecasting and improved cloud-seeding technology.
A new technique can quickly screen products for mercury content, helping to identify those at risk of serious health problems. The method uses total reflection x-ray fluorescence and has been shown to be just as accurate as existing techniques.
Scientists create a temporary tattoo sensor that detects and responds to lactate in sweat, producing an electrical current. The device continuously monitors sweat lactate levels over time and with changes in exercise intensity, enabling the creation of sweat-powered biobatteries.
A new portable device using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry can detect the specific vapors emitted by US currency, potentially helping border guards identify and seize billions of dollars in smuggled cash. The system, called BCDS, is being developed to improve detection and has been shown to work effectively within seconds.