A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that mimicking facial expressions of actors or moving the corners of one's mouth to cheeks increases happiness. Researchers from Stanford University and UniSA tested three techniques, with two yielding noticeable results.
A new study has identified a specialized and distinctive type of microglia with enhanced antioxidant function in the ischemia/reperfusion injured brain, linked to stroke. The presence of Peroxiredoxin-1 protects against acute I/R injury, reducing microglial cell death and inflammatory responses.
Researchers developed a small peptide that can directly kill bacteria and trigger plant defense tactics to prevent diseases like almond leaf scorch. The treatment significantly reduces pathogen population and disease symptoms, making it a promising approach for sustainable crop protection.
A new method combines Centroidal Voronoi tessellation (CVT) and Model Predictive Control (MPC) to optimize microsatellite swarm trajectories, ensuring collision avoidance while minimizing fuel consumption. Numerical simulations validate the effectiveness of this macro-micro trajectory planning approach.
The University of Missouri is revamping its training courses for childcare providers with a $7.5 million grant from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The new online video-based courses aim to be more accessible and engaging, covering topics such as safe sleep, transportation, and emergency preparedness.
Researchers propose a broader definition of learning that includes behavioral adaptation to environmental features, enabling collaboration across fields and promoting new research. This 'mechanism-free' approach highlights the importance of system-level responses to environment in various domains.
A new study has discovered that MTCH2, a protein essential in various cellular processes, acts as a 'door' for proteins to access the mitochondrial membrane. The finding opens up potential avenues for cancer treatments by harnessing apoptosis, a programmed cell death mechanism.
A collaborative team at IGB discovered 30 new compounds, including three with antibacterial properties, using the Illinois Biological Foundry for Advanced Biomanufacturing. The platform allowed for rapid screening of hundreds of genes and pathways, enabling the researchers to identify potential anti-microbial compounds.
Researchers found that literacy has no effect on auditory processing of speech, contradicting previous studies. However, literate individuals showed improved functional connectivity between brain areas responsible for handwriting and speech sound processing.
CyberWater2 aims to lower the hurdle for researchers to couple their own models with other component models of Earth system models. The new open-source cyberinfrastructure framework will enable large-scale cross-institutional collaborations and scientific investigations across disciplines, computing platforms, and geographic boundaries.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute successfully revived ancient enzymes, revealing a novel protein component that increased CO2 specificity in Rubisco. This discovery provides new insights into the evolution of modern photosynthesis and suggests adding new components may improve its efficiency.
A new type of satellite imagery with a spatial resolution of 15 cm has been used to detect and monitor critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. The technology allows for the identification of individual whales and their habitats, which will have significant implications for conservation efforts.
A Singapore research team has validated a cancer diagnostic assay designed with Asian-centric biomarkers, showing high precision and sensitivity in measuring four major classes of biomarkers. The assay's performance was validated with clinical specimens, indicating its promise for reliable deployment in a clinical setting.
SourceSingHealth·JournalFrontiers in Molecular Biosciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 12, 2022
A recent MU study found that COVID-19 significantly impacted the academic experiences of African international students, with travel limitations, restricted employment opportunities, and family concerns making it difficult to focus on studies. The findings highlight the need for tailored support from universities during times of crisis.
Researchers developed computational models to identify massage businesses at risk of violating laws related to sex and labor trafficking. The models provide probability scores on the likelihood that a business is engaged in illegal activity, allowing law enforcement and organizations to prioritize investigations.
The Keck School of Medicine's Stevens INI has received a nearly $2 million grant to upgrade its storage system, increasing its capacity to handle vast amounts of brain imaging data. This will enable the lab to maximize scientific productivity and fulfill its promise to collaborate with researchers globally.
Interdisciplinary researchers at the Beckman Institute have received a four-year, $2M award from the National Institutes of Health to develop a device that can instantly enable real-time 3D ultrasound imaging. The device, named FASTER, is designed to improve high-quality medical imaging accessibility in diverse communities.
Achenbach, a renowned experimental physicist, will lead Jefferson Lab's Experimental Hall B, utilizing the world's most powerful accelerator to advance nuclear physics research. He aims to upgrade CEBAF and explore new experiments, including positron beams, to expand knowledge on matter and the universe.
A new Northwestern University study finds that scientists who interact with others during assigned sessions at conferences are more likely to form productive collaborations. Virtual conferences also show promise for encouraging interactions and sparking collaborations.
The Critical Path Institute has launched a pre-consortium collaboration with the FDA's CBER and CDER to accelerate medical product development in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The collaboration aims to define unmet needs in drug development and lay the groundwork for specific solutions.
The Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury System will provide ongoing care and research, aiming to improve learning and memory impairment in TBI patients. The system's site-specific study will examine the impact of aerobic exercise training on managing new learning and memory impairment.
A POSTECH research team developed an anode-free lithium battery with a volumetric energy density of 977Wh/L, enabling 630km long battery life on a single charge. The new technology uses an ion conductive substrate to minimize swelling and increase battery capacity.
Researchers developed algorithms that can predict volleyball players' actions with over 80% accuracy, combining visual data with hidden variables. The algorithms also showed promise in predicting multiple actions across sequences of up to 44 frames.
LSU Health New Orleans has been awarded $4.6 million to develop a Burn Prehospital Provider Program, which will provide education and training for military and civilian healthcare providers in different environments. The program aims to improve burn injury care before patients reach a hospital.
Researchers at FAU's Schmidt College of Medicine are developing a pilot program to tackle health disparities by leveraging electronic health records, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The project aims to improve AI/ML delivery and research operations in community health centers and federally qualified health centers.
A study published in Nature has identified 61 additional genetic loci associated with stroke and six genes that are potential targets for drug therapy. The research also found a significant overlap between stroke and dementia, suggesting common biology between the two conditions.
A workshop on flood risk governance in Brazil and the UK identified research gaps, including local data, integration systems, and visualization tools. Innovative initiatives are being developed using tools such as an app that empowers citizens to input data and improve disaster prevention.
Researchers are working on a regulatory science tool based on biomarker data to assess the efficacy of rehabilitative devices for post-stroke motor recovery. The project aims to shed light on how neurological markers can demystify complex neural communication patterns in patients.
Researchers at USC's Information Sciences Institute used AI to analyze citation patterns in scientific papers and found significant differences between male and female scientists. Women's networks were more tightly clustered, indicating a stronger support network, while men's networks were more diverse and widely connected.
The UBC Okanagan team has created a novel, passive-de-icing coating that integrates an ice-detecting microwave sensor. This technology enables automatic melting of ice without external energy input, reducing wear-and-tear and energy waste.
A new study analyzes the benefits and harms of prior authorization policies in Medicare Advantage, highlighting their impact on patients and clinicians. The researchers propose several measures to improve the use of PA in Medicare, including electronic-based processes and enhanced transparency.
Researchers develop custom vaccines that induce broadly neutralizing antibodies to protect against HIV variants. The team uses a modified HIV spike protein to prime the immune system, paving the way for an effective HIV vaccine.
The Leducq Foundation has awarded $7.5 million to UVA researchers, led by Mete Civelek, to investigate sex differences in atherosclerosis and $8 million to Coleen McNamara to advance immunotherapy for cardiovascular disease. These projects aim to improve understanding of heart disease and develop new treatments.
A new European study confirms that banning menthol cigarettes leads to increased smoking cessation rates, with 26.1% of menthol smokers quitting compared to 14.1% of non-menthol smokers. The study also finds that a proposed US ban on menthol cigarettes could lead to over 1.3 million quitters.
Researchers used advanced imaging techniques to understand the structure of bacterial propellers, which are made of a single protein. The study reveals that bacteria push themselves forward by coiling these appendages into corkscrew shapes, and that similar structures have evolved independently in archaea.
Researchers at FIU Stempel College are investigating the translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) in relation to Alzheimer's disease. They aim to determine if an increase in TSPO levels is harmful and may be a potential target for treatments.
A successful collaboration implemented pediatric early warning systems (PEWS) in 36 Latin American hospitals, training over 11,100 clinicians and improving cancer outcomes. PEWS use was maintained for up to 18 months after implementation, with high-quality results.
New research from the University of Georgia suggests that students who understand their strengths and weaknesses and are willing to ask for clarification and correct misinformation in small groups are more successful. The study identified seven types of metacognitive statements or questions associated with higher-quality reasoning.
Research found that STEM subjects have a social hierarchy based on stereotyped views of ideal students, which affects underrepresentation of women, people of color, and disabled students. Attitudes must shift to make STEM more inclusive and accessible.
The African Plant Nutrition Institute, Fertilizer Canada, and OCP Africa have signed a MoU to collaborate on agriculture development programmes that target sub-Saharan rural farmers. The planned interventions will see an improvement in food-security and livelihoods for smallholder farmers through joint programming, shared learning, and...
Astronomers detect massive light burst from 'infant' Universe, revealing properties of cosmic explosions. The GRB was triggered by a space explosion that occurred when the Universe was less than 900 million years old.
Researchers used the Advanced Photon Source to study asteroid fragments from Ryugu, finding they were made of water and carbon dioxide ice. The analysis suggests the asteroid formed over 4 billion years ago in the outer solar system, with a hydrated interior and dryer surface.
The Allen Institute is leading a global collaboration to create detailed atlases of the human brain and its cells. The project aims to understand brain function and structure, with applications in treating diseases of the brain.
Researchers at Kobe University have developed a new method to synthesize fluoroalkyl carbonates, which are environmentally friendly alternatives to toxic precursors. These carbonates exhibit high reactivity and can be used to create pharmaceutical intermediates and other substances.
A team of neuroscientists at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University aim to create an ultra-high resolution molecular atlas of the brain, enabling precise gene delivery to specific cell types. This project has the potential to revolutionize treatment of fatal brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A team of scientists from China published a perspective paper on the use of AI in skin diseases, highlighting its potential to assist clinicians. They propose several recommendations to improve AI-assisted diagnosis systems, including establishing a robust database and adapting algorithms to existing real-world databases.
A new international study found that maternal education levels and household income at birth are significant predictors of childhood overweight and obesity. Social inequalities were evident across seven high-income countries, with lower maternal education associated with higher risk of overweight and obesity.
A recent study by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center researchers has shed light on the mechanisms of salt transport across membrane barriers. The findings have significant implications for treating cystic fibrosis, a disease caused by mutations in three types of sodium-potassium pumps.
Researchers have discovered that group 3 and group 4 medulloblastoma arise from the rhombic lip, a structure present in early cerebellum development. This finding helps better understand the biology of the disease and develops new research models to guide therapeutic targets.
A joint study by the Israel Antiquities Authority, Tel Aviv University, and the Weizmann Institute of Science has revealed the world's earliest known evidence of opium use in the Late Bronze Age. Eight ceramic vessels containing opium residue were found in Canaanite graves at Tel Yehud.
A new universal system called SeqCode formally registers and names single-celled microorganisms known as prokaryotes. The system uses genome sequence data for both cultivated and uncultivated prokaryotes, aiming to improve resource sharing and communication among researchers.
A new University of California San Diego study reveals collaboration between the US and China on low-carbon technologies poses little national security risk and manageable economic risks. The study's findings challenge common assumptions that decoupling from China harms global efforts to mitigate climate change.
The Florida Summer Institute in Biostatistics and Data Science recruits students from underrepresented groups, providing a rigorous quantitative education. The program introduces college students to statistical methods and applications in biomedical research, highlighting health disparities and social drivers of health.
The Critical Path Institute (C-Path) has established a public-private partnership with the FDA and NIH to advance treatments for rare neurodegenerative diseases. The partnership will leverage C-Path's expertise in data management, quantitative analytics, and regulatory science to accelerate medical product development.
A team of researchers identified the clubroot pathogen in Mexico, a crucial discovery for the country's broccoli production and global supply. The study used a detection methodology developed during Covid-19, allowing for accurate identification and potential future outbreaks.
Chemistry experts examined a decorative tassel on a 1,300-year-old Chinese dancing horse sculpture, discovering it was made of plaster and animal glue. The find provides new insights into the artwork's conservation history, suggesting multiple restoration efforts over centuries.
Researchers at UMaine have developed a novel AI-based method for monitoring soil moisture in forests, using wireless sensor networks and machine learning to optimize energy efficiency. This approach could enable more efficient tracking of forest health, reducing costs and increasing reliability.
The Institute for Basic Science (IBS) collaborated with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital to increase virus research capacity and respond to infectious disease outbreaks. IBS and NIAID discussed potential research cooperation opportunities, including joint symposia and resource sharing.
The primer highlights how citizens can contribute meaningfully to scientific research, enabling inclusive decision-making and closing data gaps. Citizen science promotes open data practices, advancing collaborations between various actors and making science more participatory and inclusive.
Two new-to-science scorpions, Paruroctonus soda and P. conclusus, are described by Bay Area high school students Harper Forbes and Prakrit Jain in collaboration with the California Academy of Sciences. The species are alkali sink specialists found only in playas from Central and Southern California.