A new study estimates that PFAS levels in US drinking water may be up to 50% higher than reported levels, highlighting the need for improved monitoring and reporting. Researchers used a model based on national data to estimate PFAS concentrations in community water systems.
A recent study suggests that pregnancies occurring too closely together can lead to changes in biological aging, potentially affecting a mother's long-term health. The research proposes that repeated pregnancies with short intervals may prevent complete recovery, allowing changes to accumulate over time.
Researchers discovered that cancer cells under pressure trigger necroptosis, a type of programmed cell death, to stop spreading. Lower levels of MLKL protein may predict metastasis, leading to new biomarkers and treatments.
Researchers found that ancient sled dogs had 6% shorter leg bones than other similar species, which may have given them an advantage in pulling loads. This skeletal pattern could help identify possible sled dogs even with incomplete archaeological remains.
Engineers have created a new line of multicolored tattoo inks that switch on and off with different kinds of light, enabling people to hide their tattoos or doodle on their skin. The technology, known as PhotoTat, has practical applications beyond cosmetics, such as helping people with medical tattoos become invisible to doctors.
Global wildfires decreased by 12.3% during the COVID-19 lockdown, but some regions saw a significant increase in fire incidents. The study suggests that strictly controlling fire use can help reduce fire incidence in regions where human-caused ignition is a dominant driver.
Researchers developed a mathematical formula to predict when AI models will switch from safe to dangerous responses. The formula, based on
A study published in Cell Reports Physical Science found that magenta solar panels can increase broccoli yield and efficiency by 4.5 times, allowing for the growth of traditional-sized broccoli in 25 days. The technology has potential for farmers to generate renewable energy while sustaining crop yields.
Researchers have developed a new approach to fighting antibiotic-resistant bacteria using water, targeting their DNA with a special molecule called singlet oxygen. This method uses titanium dioxide crystals to transform normal oxygen molecules into singlet oxygen, which strips electrons away from bacterial DNA, destroying it.
Researchers have developed a light-powered filter that maintains 99% filtration efficiency for a month and 95% for two months. The filter uses a coating that responds to light and heat, generating a continuous surface charge, making it reusable and self-cleaning.
Scientists discovered a new species of amoeba that can survive and thrive at temperatures up to 70°C (158°F) by changing shape and forming a protective outer layer. The organism's genome has extra genes associated with protein maintenance and DNA repair, helping it cope with extreme heat.
A recent study published in iScience found that AI-powered machines have difficulty recognizing objects from their overall shapes when aspects of an image are distorted. Humans, on the other hand, are able to leverage the global shape cue for visual object recognition, a skill that current AI models do not replicate.
Researchers have successfully deployed underwater solar cells to generate 324 mWh of energy at 10 meters below sea level. The cells retained 96% of their initial efficiency after 300 days and showed exceptional long-term operational stability.
Researchers have developed an enzyme that can break down polyurethane in shoe foams, a significant step towards recycling plastic waste. The enzyme, based on a bacterium found in compost, can degrade polyurethane at lower temperatures and pressures than current recycling technologies.
Researchers have created a recipe for 3D printing houses on Mars using Martian rocks, gelatin, and yeast. The resulting living building material is strong and can be broken down, recycled, and reused, making it a promising solution for low-energy construction and a circular economy on the Red Planet.
Researchers found that Miracinonyx trumani preyed almost exclusively on fish, challenging the long-held assumption that it was a fast-running prey-chaser like modern cheetahs. The species shared a common ancestor with modern cheetahs about 4.7 million years ago, but diverged from a common ancestor with pumas about 2.6 million years ago.
Researchers establish that live probiotic and inactivated postbiotic treatments improve coral health under thermal stress. The treatments, which involve beneficial bacteria, improve coral resilience and promote specific metabolic and microbiome changes.
A recent study suggests that cerebral palsy (CP) may be a collection of symptoms that can occur in various conditions, rather than a single disease with genetic causes. The research found that only 89 of 515 genes previously linked to CP have a statistically significant association with the condition.
A clinical trial found that a ketogenic diet significantly improves metabolic health in people with obesity, with 50% of participants no longer meeting the criteria for prediabetes. The diet also showed the greatest improvements in liver health and insulin sensitivity.
Researchers develop a polymer nanogel system called Nano-ERASER that uses antibodies to degrade targeted proteins, inducing neuron regeneration and restoring neural circuits in human brain organoids and mice with Alzheimer's disease. The study provides a critical step in regenerative neuroscience, offering a roadmap for a potential cure.
Researchers analyzed the make-up of oral microbes to detect signals associated with gastric and colorectal cancer, finding distinct signatures in patients with cancer. The study's findings could lead to the development of new, less-invasive screening tests for gastrointestinal cancers.
A study found that supercentenarians, people who live to 110 and beyond, have a higher proportion of cancer-killing immune cells called CD4 CTLs. This expansion may help the immune system adapt to age-related challenges, contributing to exceptional longevity.
Scientists struggle to define fungal age due to the complex life cycle of fungi, which can live for hundreds to thousands of years. Leveraging new technologies like 'fungi-on-a-chip' and genetic tracking may provide unprecedented insights into fungal longevity.
A study published in iScience found that female Cope's gray treefrogs prefer males with longer calls, but can become overwhelmed by too many options, selecting only 25% of target calls. This phenomenon, known as choice overload, may impact the evolution of species.
A recent study revealed that dogs process smiles in a unique brain region and can distinguish between negative facial expressions, including anger, sadness, and fear. This ability allows researchers to understand the adaptations that have developed in dogs to support their social and emotional understanding of humans.
Researchers developed a method for generating personality assessment questionnaires with ChatGPT from any source text, including the DSM-5 and an astrology textbook. The generated questionnaires showed high internal consistency within personality clusters and could predict life outcomes like depression, anxiety, and well-being at level...
Researchers found that treating women with Lactobacillus gasseri supplements or postbiotics improved fertility among those over 35. The study showed higher endometrial abundance of Lactobacillus bacteria in pregnant women, suggesting a beneficial effect on uterine health.
A study found that pumas change deer behavior, reducing the likelihood of deer-vehicle collisions by 67%. Deer alter their use of space and time where pumas are present, overlapping less with roads.
A recent review suggests that consuming less protein could have greater health benefits and potentially extend lifespan. The review highlights the role of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in slowing aging by improving metabolism, reducing cellular damage, and preserving healthy cell function.
Researchers have developed a lightweight receiver that captures energy from laser beams and converts it into electricity, enabling wireless charging of drones in mid-air. The technology uses a perovskite laser cell-thermoelectric tandem device to generate power, overcoming the challenge of battery life for long-duration missions.
Researchers developed an artery-on-a-chip platform to predict ischemic stroke risk by replicating a patient's specific vascular structure and blood flow dynamics. The tool, called a 'physical twin,' reveals that three-dimensional vascular shape and local flow disturbances matter more than simple narrowing in predicting stroke risk.
Researchers developed a handheld breath detector that measures acetone levels with laboratory-level accuracy in 90 seconds. The device tracks changes in fat metabolism during various scenarios, including exercise and fasting, providing insights for clinicians to personalize treatments.
Social animals exhibit a range of pre-war preparations, including environmental cues and memories of past events. These behaviors can impact socio-cognitive evolution, population dynamics, and community structures. Preemptive behavior is widespread in social species, depending on the current threat level.
Researchers have found that stimulating a nerve in the external ear may help to ease inflammation in the lungs of mice. The study suggests a novel device could be developed to target inflammatory pathways and treat diseases like asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers found that psychological stress speeds up aging-like changes in hematopoietic stem cells by altering the intestinal microbiota and reducing spermidine levels. Chronic stress impacts the balance of gut microbes, leading to immune dysfunction and bone marrow defects.
Researchers discovered that bilingual brains store concepts in a mental map spanning both languages, allowing for smooth language switching while keeping them distinct. The brain organizes individual words within each language and connects equivalent meanings across languages using a semantic map.
Researchers have identified two distinct brain networks for laughter: one associated with spontaneous, uncontrollable laughter and another with voluntary, timed laughter. The spontaneous network involves emotional regulation and motor control, while the voluntary network is linked to motor control of laughing and smiling.
Researchers have developed a non-invasive method to determine chicken egg sex, assess quality, and detect fertilization using light-based optical spectroscopy. The technique could curb the practice of killing billions of male chicks at birth, reducing animal suffering and promoting more sustainable farming practices.
Scientists have created a practical way to make ultra-black coatings that meet automotive standards, using a composite of carbon black pigment and carbon nanotubes. The resulting color is a deep jet black with excellent long-term stability, opening the door for high-end car models in darker hues.
Researchers found that cohabiting individuals shared significantly more oral and gut strains than those living in different households. On average, cohabitors shared 19% of their gut microbiome and 26% of their oral microbiome strains with each other.
A study published in Cell Host & Microbe suggests that GLP-1 analogs may alleviate depression in mice by modulating the gut microbiome. The researchers found that a specific microbe strain, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, played a key role in this process.
Scientists discovered a new way cells fight infection, using a method called antibody-directed xenophagy (ADX), which can digest bacteria and viruses inside infected cells. ADX is triggered by a protein called TRIM21, which flags invading pathogens for destruction.
Researchers discovered a fast protective mechanism in cells that forms a ring-like structure around the nucleus to prevent DNA damage and cell death. This 'actin ring' protects the nucleus by confining and stabilizing it, making it less likely to rupture.
Researchers find popular sodium-ion battery matches performance parameters and production quality of Tesla's lithium-ion batteries. Tweaking the Hina battery to charge more effectively at low temperatures could provide a cost-effective alternative for future electric vehicle batteries.
Researchers highlight the promise of using human monoclonal antibodies to treat patients more effectively and tackle antimicrobial resistance. mAbs can be designed to target only the disease-causing bacteria, thereby protecting the microbiome.
Scientists have developed a laser-driven engine that can transfer large amounts of data over long distances, enabling high-speed communication in 6G networks. The innovation uses white light to move information and has the potential to support 'intelligent' 6G networks with space-air-ground integration.
A study reveals that medical exposure can rapidly change the human microbiome, with gut microbes shifting toward patterns more commonly seen in urban populations. The research found a decline in microbial diversity and a shift towards bacterial groups more common in industrialized societies.
Researchers designed contact lenses with electrodes to deliver mild electrical signals to the brain, reducing behavioral and physiological signs of depression. The treatment showed comparable improvements to Prozac in mice.
Researchers engineered E. coli microbes to produce the UV-protective compound gadusol, increasing yield by nearly 93 times and showing promise in antioxidant tests. The compound may become an attractive ingredient for sunscreens and skin-care products, offering a greener alternative to traditional ingredients.
Researchers found that genome duplications during major environmental upheavals helped plants survive mass extinctions and extreme conditions. The study suggests that polyploidy, or having multiple sets of chromosomes, can be beneficial for plants in stressful environments.