Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Drawing a tube of blood could assess ALS risk from environmental toxin exposure

Researchers developed an environmental risk score to assess ALS risk and survival using a blood sample, associating several individual pollutants with disease risk. A mixture of pesticides in the blood significantly increased ALS risk, with those in the highest group having twice the risk as those in the lowest.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 30, 2023

Roe v. Wade repeal impacts where young women choose to go to college, PSU researcher finds

Research from Portland State University finds that female students are more likely to choose universities in states with upheld abortion rights, potentially affecting future workforces and economies. The study suggests a significant impact on the labor market as young people often live and work in the state they attend college.

SourcePortland State University·JournalEconomics Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 30, 2023

Amazon deforestation linked to long distance climate warming

A new study by researchers at the University of Leeds found that Amazon deforestation causes land surfaces up to 100km away to get warmer. The study analyzed satellite data from 2001 to 2020 and found that regions with more local and regional deforestation warmed by an average of 4.4°C.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 30, 2023

fMRI study finds correlated shifts in brain connectivity associated with overthinking in adolescents

A recent study from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and colleagues found that Rumination-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (RF-CBT) can reduce rumination in adolescents. The study also showed correlated shifts in brain connectivity, suggesting that RF-CBT can help young people break the painful mental loops that contribu...

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalBiological Psychiatry Global Open Science·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 27, 2023

Abortion rates among commercially insured patients declined during the COVID-19 pandemic and did not rebound to pre-pandemic rates

A study by Brigham researchers found that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp decline in surgical abortions for commercially insured patients, with no concurrent increase in medical abortions. The rate of surgical abortions remained below pre-pandemic levels through June 2022.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 26, 2023

Genomic insights for prenatal screening - The advantages of low-pass genome sequencing

A new study validates Low-Pass Genome Sequencing (LP GS) as a robust and cost-effective alternative to Chromosomal Microarray Analysis (CMA) for prenatal diagnosis. LP GS detects six additional Copy Number Variations (CNVs) in cases with negative CMA results, highlighting the importance of sequencing depth in its detection sensitivity.

SourceBGI Genomics·JournalJournal of Medical Genetics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 26, 2023

UTSA researchers receive $3.6 million National Science Foundation grant to break down language barriers in engineering education

Researchers Joel Mejia and M. Sidury Christiansen are developing a handbook of recommended pedagogical approaches to address exclusionary language in engineering classes. They aim to improve the sense of belonging among multilingual students pursuing STEM careers by guiding faculty on strategies for changing biased language practices.

Breakthrough for ‘neglected’ rheumatic condition

A year-long clinical trial found sustained remission of polymyalgia rheumatica in 28% of patients taking sarilumab, compared to 10% of those on placebo. The treatment showed promise in reducing relapse and improving outcomes for patients tapering their steroid medication.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 25, 2023

IIT’s first ever-made rechargeable edible battery nominated on TIME’s 2023 list of Best Innovations

Researchers at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia have developed the world's first rechargeable edible battery, utilizing food-grade materials like almonds and capers. The battery can power small electronic devices for a limited time and has potential applications in health monitoring, food storage, and children's toys.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 24, 2023

Research shows new documentation tool could help optimize seizure treatments in patients with epilepsy

A new electronic health record documentation tool has been shown to improve the accuracy and completeness of clinical documentation for patients undergoing treatment for epilepsy. This tool enables medical providers to identify patients who are failing treatments earlier, allowing for rapid optimization of positive outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalNeurology Clinical Practice·DateOct 19, 2023

Canadians with peptic ulcer disease faced mental health challenges during COVID-19 pandemic

The study, which analyzed data from older adults with peptic ulcer disease, revealed that approximately 1 in 8 individuals developed depression for the first time during the pandemic. Women, those who felt lonely, and those with functional limitations were at higher risk of depression. Targeted screening and intervention are being reco...

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateOct 19, 2023

Germicidal UV lights could be producing indoor air pollutants, study finds

New research from MIT found that germicidal UV lights can produce potentially harmful compounds in indoor spaces. The study suggests that the lights should be used with appropriate ventilation to minimize health risks. Researchers emphasize that the new UV lights are not a replacement for ventilation but rather a complement to it.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateOct 18, 2023

How to build greener data centers? Scientists say crank up the heat

Scientists propose new temperature guidelines for data centers that may help reduce energy consumption and save money. Researchers found that raising the temperature to around 41°C could lead to significant savings, with some areas able to rely entirely on free-cooling, reducing energy costs by up to 56%.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 18, 2023

Study focusing on Black cancer survivors documents how exposure to racial discrimination impacts care

A study by researchers at Keck School of Medicine of USC found that Black cancer survivors experience slowdowns in diagnosis and delivery of care due to exposure to racial discrimination. Positive interactions, such as ready access to providers and displays of empathy, were identified as key factors in improving care.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 18, 2023

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology scientists develop deep learning-based biosensing platform to count viral particles better

Researchers at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) have developed a deep learning-based biosensing platform called DeepGT, which can accurately quantify nanoscale bioparticles, including viruses. The platform harnesses the advantages of Gires-Tournois biosensors and AI to refine visual artifacts and extract relevant info...

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalNano Today·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 17, 2023

LSU Health’s fish study finds clinic-based community program improved food security and health

A clinic-based community program improved food security scores, healthy eating behaviors, and depression scores in a vulnerable, food-insecure population. The Geaux Get Healthy Clinical Program provided comprehensive education and access to resources, leveraging community partnerships.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalNutrients·TypeObservational study·DateOct 12, 2023

Sustainable living technology

New technology enables self-sustaining modules to assemble, disassemble and recycle, offering unprecedented sustainability for electronic devices. The innovation is part of a larger field of Microelectronic Morphogenesis, which aims to replicate living systems through controlled form creation.

SourceChemnitz University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 11, 2023

Suppression of cancer stemness and drug resistance via BRAF/EGFR/MEK inhibition in colorectal cancer cells

Researchers discovered that inhibiting the BRAF/EGFR/MEK pathway significantly reduced cancer stemness and drug resistance in primary colorectal cancer cells. The study also identified a triple combination treatment against BRAF, EGFR, and MEK as a promising approach to block these activities and develop effective treatments.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2023

New study offers improved strategy for social media communications during wildfires

Researchers from the University of Notre Dame found that social media engagement improves when national and local levels mismatch audiences during recovery phases, increasing user engagement by 29.6%. The study suggests a nuanced approach to content coordination, with national headquarters leading production and local accounts following.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalInformation Systems Research·DateOct 10, 2023

STAT3 as a target in H3K27M-mutant DMGs

Researchers discovered the STAT3 signaling pathway as a potential target for treating H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs), a uniformly lethal central nervous system malignancy. The current standard of care, including palliative radiation and chemotherapy, remains ineffective in this disease.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 10, 2023

How much are you willing to pay for a product or service? It depends on your other options and the given context

A new study published in the Journal of Marketing presents the Comparative Method of Valuation as a more accurate way to measure customers' willingness to pay. The study finds that existing methods can provide vague and inaccurate results due to their inability to capture relevant comparisons or context.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateOct 5, 2023

Adoption of vegan dog and cat diets could have environmental benefits

A new analysis estimates that switching all pet dogs and cats to vegan diets could spare nearly 2 billion land-based livestock animals yearly in the US, and nearly 7 billion globally. This could lead to significant reductions in environmental impacts such as land use, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 4, 2023