A task force has been criticized for not recommending melanoma screening due to lack of evidence, but dermatologists believe early detection reduces risk of death from melanoma through visual inspections. The issue highlights the need for refined standards on skin cancer screenings with potential life-saving benefits.
Scientists have developed a specific mechanistic explanation of beta waves, suggesting that excitatory synaptic stimulation from the thalamus drives pyramidal neurons to produce these waves. The theory is supported by computer models and measurements in animal models.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a method to induce a new polymer phase in PLA, increasing its strength and prolonging its degradation rate. The new phase can make the material stronger while also making it last longer, potentially leading to improved medical applications.
A recent study identified a genetic variant associated with higher BMI levels and increased efficiency of fat storage among Samoans. This 'thrifty' variant, found on chromosome 5, is linked to the islands' high obesity rates and may have evolved as an adaptation to food scarcity in ancient times.
The LUX experiment has completed its search for dark matter, yielding no trace of a particle despite achieving record sensitivity. The results provide critical guidance for future dark matter experiments by eliminating potential models.
A new study estimates that the asteroid that formed the Moon's Imbrium Basin was likely a protoplanet-sized object, two times larger in diameter and 10 times more massive than previous estimates. The research also sheds light on the geological features surrounding the basin, which help explain some of its puzzling characteristics.
Scholars propose five guidelines to prevent disputes over frozen embryos, including clear contract language, requiring a binding agreement, and anticipating potential tragedies. These recommendations aim to provide clarity for the estimated million frozen embryos in the US, reducing uncertainty and shifting terrain of varying state laws.
A new study reveals that a simple GAGA DNA sequence is essential for dosage compensation in insects, allowing males to achieve double gene expression on their X chromosome. This process likely evolved independently among different species and may be applicable to other animals, including mammals.
A new Brown University study found that childcare centers in Rhode Island serving low-income children under the federal nutrition subsidy program serve healthier food than those outside the program. The study's lead author suggests that implementing nutritional guidelines and regulations can improve the quality of food served, particul...
When bacteria are confined to millimeter-sized, fluid-filled oval tracks, they quickly organize into a collective motion, with individuals moving in opposite directions. The research, published in the New Journal of Physics, shows that mechanical interactions between bacteria and their surroundings drive this complex behavior.
A new study suggests that a protein deficiency in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) disrupts cellular endocytosis, leading to muscle weakness. Interestingly, a mild version of this defect may also confer resistance to infections in carriers of the disease.
A new study of over 1,000 primary care melanoma screenings found no significant increase in surgical treatments or specialist referrals. The practice did result in a 79% increase in per-patient melanoma diagnoses among the most trained group, but this was not associated with an increase in dermatologist visits or surgeries.
The Rhode Island Center for Clinical Translational Science will create an educational and technical infrastructure to spur medical studies, expand access to population health data, and support clinical research. This $19.5 million grant aims to bring discoveries from the lab to the clinic and improve patient care.
Researchers at Brown University used a novel MRI technique to induce people to perceive colors that weren't really there, targeting early visual areas of the brain. The study showed that associations were learned strongly enough to persist for up to five months.
Brown University researchers have developed a variable broadband power splitter for terahertz radiation, which could enable data transfer up to 100 times faster than current cellular and Wi-Fi networks. The device can split signals into multiple channels with varying power levels, making it suitable for use in terahertz routers.
A new study led by Brown University Ph.D. student Noah Hammond suggests that Pluto likely has a subsurface ocean today, contrary to previous theories. The research uses thermal evolution models updated with data from NASA's New Horizons spacecraft, which revealed signs of tectonic features and expansion on Pluto's surface.
A Brazilian study found that only 21% of women and 29% of men met international standards for moderate weekly physical activity. Active participants were healthier, with lower blood pressure and heart rates, and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
The US policy on mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) is at a standstill due to a contradiction between the National Academies' recommendation and a legislation enacted by President Obama's administration. MRT aims to replace disease-causing mitochondrial DNA in human embryos, providing new cures for previously untreatable conditions.
Researchers used tadpoles to study sensory integration in the brain, finding that immature brains overreact to simultaneous stimuli. As brains mature, inhibitory neurons gain balance with excitatory neurons, allowing for more refined discrimination between simultaneous and non-simultaneous inputs.
A team of physicists and mathematicians has developed a statistical technique to simulate small-scale phenomena in computer simulations, allowing for more accurate predictions. The method, published in Physical Review Letters, can capture the influence of cloud formation and reduce uncertainty in climate models.
A new software, WebGazer.js, uses integrated webcams to infer where users look on a webpage. This allows for more accurate web analytics than traditional methods, which often require expensive eye-tracking devices. The software can be added to any website with a few lines of code and provides insights into user behavior.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded Brown University a five-year, $11.5 million grant to expand its research in computational biology. The new Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) will support early career faculty members as they tackle genomics underlying diseases such as cancer and preeclampsia. Researchers will...
Scientists at Brown University have discovered a molecular 'brake' that regulates melanin production in the eyes, skin, and hair. The study found that TPC2, a protein channel, reduces melanin production by increasing acidity in melanosomes.
A new study reveals that suppressing a key protein, Chitinase 3-like-1 (CHI3L1), restores multiple antitumor responses in the lungs of mice, preventing cancer spread. Researchers tested an intervention that boosted the RIG-like helicase pathway, which counteracts CHI3L1's effects and decreases tumor-inducing responses.
A study found that women with high levels of PFOA during pregnancy had a higher risk of ending breastfeeding early. The study analyzed data from 336 mothers and their children in Cincinnati, where PFOA levels were more than twice the national average.
A study in male mice exposed to early life stress shows that the hippocampus matures faster, but with reduced neural growth, supporting an evolution-based hypothesis. This accelerated maturation may be an adaptation to prepare for short-term survival priorities.
A study of 257 female inmates in Rhode Island found that 68 had engaged in sex exchange, which was associated with higher risks of physical abuse, injection drug use, and multiple STIs. Assessing a lifetime history of sex exchange could help identify women at risk for these problems.
Brown University bioengineers have developed a synthetic bed that works as well as traditional mouse cells without contamination risk. The innovation allows for the cultivation of human embryonic stem cells more safely and could lead to advances in stem cell therapies.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a new method to convert one type of perovskite into another, improving thermal stability and light absorption. The technique uses gas-based methods to flip the chemical switch, preserving the microstructure and morphology of the material.
A new study reveals substantial disparities in healthcare quality experienced by Hispanic Puerto Rican residents in Medicare Advantage plans. Despite making up nearly a quarter of enrolled residents, Puerto Ricans received significantly worse care on 15 of 17 quality indicators, with gaps exceeding 5 percentage points.
A study by Brown University researchers found that one brain hemisphere remains more awake than the other during deep sleep on the first night in a new place. This 'first-night effect' is thought to be an evolutionary adaptation to protect against potential danger.
Intensifying tropical agriculture may sequester up to 1-4 million metric tons of phosphorus fertilizer annually, forcing farmers to pay a recurring 'P-tax'. Recycling phosphorus-rich livestock manure and rethinking high-meat diets could mitigate this issue.
Researchers developed a computer algorithm that accurately identified autism spectrum disorders using fMRI brain scans. The classifier worked across diverse populations, including Japanese and American adults, with an average accuracy of 85% and 75%, respectively.
Scientists discover that Europa's tidal dissipation process generates significantly more heat in its ice than previously assumed. This finding has implications for estimating the thickness of the moon's outer shell and understanding the chemistry of the hidden ocean, which is crucial for searching for life.
Brown University students have developed an innovative sustainable aquaculture idea called Kulisha, which produces fish feed made from black soldier fly larvae. The team plans to build a business to raise and process the larvae, reducing the industry's ecological impact.
A study found that FOXO proteins regulate 46 conserved genes across four species, including metabolism and DNA repair processes. This research provides new guidance on understanding the biology of aging and could lead to the development of interventions to promote health and longevity in humans.
A new study found that simultaneous cocaine and alcohol use is a red flag for suicide risk, with the risk being 2.4 times higher among those using both substances. The study also showed that substance misuse was less likely an indicator of suicide risk among whites and women, but more likely among older adults.
Researchers developed a new composite catalyst using nitrogen-rich graphene dotted with copper nanoparticles that can convert carbon dioxide to ethylene efficiently and selectively. The study showed a selectivity of 79 percent for ethylene production, significantly higher than other approaches.
New research reveals dramatic worldwide increases in body-mass index (BMI) and type 2 diabetes, with American Samoa and independent Samoa exhibiting exceptionally high prevalence of both conditions. The studies attribute the rise to factors such as globalization, changing food habits and lifestyles.
Researchers used a sophisticated computer model to show that vibrations generated by large slides can cause tons of rock to flow like a fluid, enabling it to rumble across vast distances. The study found that the vibrational waves reduce the effect of friction acting on the slide, enabling it to travel further than smaller slides.
A study found that agricultural expansion in the Cerrado biome reduces water recycling, affecting rainfall patterns. Double cropping can help mitigate this effect by increasing evapotranspiration rates.
Researchers found that bats exposed to prolonged loud noise showed minimal sensitivity loss, with only a slight decrease of 0.6 decibels over 24 hours. This natural resiliency may hold clues for developing devices or implants to help humans cope with loud noises.
Researchers from Brown University found that repeatedly crumpling sheets of graphene can improve its water-repelling properties and electrochemical behavior. The process creates complex architectures with interesting patterns, including superhydrophobic surfaces and enhanced electrodes for batteries and fuel cells.
A new type of lens for focusing terahertz radiation has been developed by Brown University researchers, performing as well or better than existing lenses. The device uses an array of stacked metal plates to focus terahertz waves, allowing for improved transmission and versatility in different wavelengths.
A new study by Brown and Tufts universities found that climate change can reduce agricultural production in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso by 9-13% with a 1 degree Celsius temperature increase. The research considered crop yield, land area, and double cropping to provide a more comprehensive understanding of climate change's effects.
The US twin birth rate has surged over the last 30 years, partly due to reproductive technologies like IVF. Implementing single embryo transfer IVF could reduce unintended twin births by minimizing serious medical complications. This approach is recommended for insurance coverage and curtails the national twin birth rate.
Brown University engineers developed a new technique to understand how cells move through complex tissues, building on mean deformation theory. The algorithm analyzed images of human neutrophils moving through collagen matrices, revealing differences in contractility and rotation between healthy and sepsis models.
A study found that over 60% of newly diagnosed men in Rhode Island who have sex with men reported meeting sexual partners online. The researchers propose partnering with companies producing hookup websites and apps to share public health messages about the risks of sexual encounters arranged online.
A new research essay in Cell journal suggests that the US can follow the UK's approach to regulate germline editing and mitochondrial replacement therapy. The authors argue that the UK's experience with MR therapy provides a well-drawn regulatory framework for evaluating the safety and ethics of germline editing.
A study of 399 participants found an association between higher mindfulness scores and healthier glucose levels. The researchers identified obesity risk and sense of control as potential mediators of this link, with mindful individuals being less likely to be obese and more likely to believe they can change their lives.