News from the institutes and societies that organize science. Covers scientific medals, university-hospital partnerships, oncology cooperatives, and society leadership.
Researchers developed a new device combining low-intensity laser light and therapeutic ultrasound, reducing fibromyalgia pain by 73.37%. The treatment showed better analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects when applied to the palms instead of tender points.
Researchers from Politecnico di Torino and NUST MISIS create a new metamaterial that cloaks nano-sensors, improving their accuracy in optics and biomedicine. The development is part of the Italian-Russian project ANASTASIA, funded by Compagnia di San Paolo.
Researchers discovered that beluga whales and narwhals undergo menopause, mirroring killer whales' behavior. This reproductive strategy may have evolved due to increased relatedness among family members and the need for older females to contribute to group survival through knowledge sharing.
A study of over 40,000 patients found that myocardial injury, major bleeding, and sepsis contributed to nearly three-quarters of all deaths after noncardiac surgery. Most deaths were linked to cardiovascular causes, with cardiologists playing a crucial role in preventing further complications.
Scientists at University of Copenhagen find thawing permafrost releases high diversity of VOCs, harming human health and forests, but also producing clouds that may cool climate.
Scientists found that the brain re-evaluates speech sound interpretations at the moment subsequent sounds are heard, using surrounding context to narrow possibilities. The brain makes commitments to its best guess after about half a second, demonstrating how context can alter perception even if disambiguating information arrives later.
Researchers developed a novel synthetic antibody that allows for controlled degradation of fluorescent proteins in living cells and tissues, enabling functional analysis. This technology can be used to study essential protein functions in complex vertebrate models.
Researchers at Imperial College London found that DTM can model near-death experiences in the brain, with participants scoring above a threshold for determining an NDE. The study suggests that DTM may be able to alter brain activity similarly to NDEs, but with different contexts.
Researchers from the University of Turku and University of Palermo studied the ecology of investors in financial markets using actual data. The study found that groups of investors form interlinked clusters and are connected to strategy usage, which affects market volatility.
Researchers found that groups that interacted only intermittently preserved the best of both worlds, having an average quality of solution nearly identical to those that interacted constantly. However, this intermittent interaction allowed high performers to learn from low performers and achieve even better solutions.
According to a new analysis by New York University researchers, US cities have become dramatically safer since 1991, with most becoming less violent over the last year. However, recent fluctuations in selected cities suggest temporary disruptions in this 17-year decline, with some cities experiencing rising violence from 2014 to 2017.
Dr Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin has established the first Gips-Schüle Junior Research Group at the University of Konstanz, researching animal social networks and collective behaviour. With €875,000 funding over five years, her team aims to characterize and understand these complex systems.
A novel laboratory-synthesized molecule based on natural compounds found in marine gliding bacteria is capable of killing even the strain that resists conventional antimalarials. In tests, it displays low toxicity and high selectivity, acting only on the parasite and not on other cells of the host organism.
The EPSRC has launched eleven projects across the UK to address equality, diversity and inclusion in engineering and the physical sciences. The £5.5 million initiative aims to inform and shape significant cultural change across institutions.
Researchers in Brazil create transgenic male mosquitoes with defective sperm to reduce Aedes aegypti population. The goal is to integrate this strategy with education, vaccines, larvicides, and insecticides to control arbovirosis diseases.
The study found a significant increase in benzodiazepine prescriptions for children, adolescents, and young adults in Sweden between 2006-2013. Nearly 30% of young adults were prescribed benzodiazepines for longer than 6 months, contradicting international guidelines.
A low-protein diet during pregnancy and lactation may increase the risk of prostate cancer in offspring, according to a study with rats. The study found that females fed a low-protein diet had offspring with preneoplastic alterations capable of interfering with glandular function.
Researchers identified six factors associated with inclusion in healthcare organizations, highlighting the importance of creating a sense of belonging and recognition among employees. The study's findings have implications for reducing care disparities and improving cultural competencies.
Researchers found that modern pygmy genomes showed no evidence of gene flow from the extinct 'hobbit' species, contradicting previous expectations. However, they did find genetic variants associated with short stature and dietary adaptations in genes involved in fatty acid metabolism.
Alessio Figalli, an ERC grantee, wins the 2018 Fields Medal for his work on Partial Differential Equations and Calculus of Variations. His research on optimal transport theory has deep connections with fundamental problems in the field.
The IADR Unilever Hatton Competition and Awards provide an opportunity for junior investigators to present their research, with up to six receiving monetary awards. This year's winners showcased innovative projects in head and neck cancer stem cells, oral cancer microenvironment, and dental treatment needs.
Researchers discovered that blue diamonds form at least as deep as the transition zone between the upper and lower mantle. The boron element was incorporated into water-rich minerals like serpentine during geochemical reactions between seawater and oceanic plate rocks, traveling far deeper into the mantle than previously thought.
A single-payer health care plan in New York could expand coverage for all residents without increasing overall spending, according to a RAND Corporation analysis. The plan would require substantial new tax revenue and shift financing among households and businesses, with the highest-income households paying substantially more.
Dr. Frank Schröder will search for high-energy photons accompanying cosmic rays using a novel radio measurement technique. He aims to find the highest-energy photons ever measured at an Antarctic location.
The ERC grant will help Dr. Saraceno find new highly-efficient sources of light waves in the terahertz range, with potential applications in chemistry, physics and biology. The researchers aim to gain further insights into interactions between water molecules and substances dissolved in it.
Researchers discovered that cave-dwelling corals can cooperate to capture and eat jellyfish swept against ocean currents. The coral species Astroides calycularis benefits from this coordinated effort by gaining access to a large meal.
A Lancaster University team has created a Minecraft platform that adapts classic novels like Treasure Island into interactive games. The project uses scale models of literary islands and linked educational resources to engage children and adults in 'classics' they might not otherwise read.
Researchers from the Universities of Konstanz and Paderborn have successfully demonstrated Wannier-Stark localization in a high-purity gallium arsenide crystal. This state results in drastic changes to the electronic structure of the crystal, leading to extreme optical nonlinearity and potential chemical reactivity.
A study published at the International Association for Dental Research found that e-cigarette users, especially those who also use combustible tobacco, are exposed to high levels of carcinogens similar to exclusive cigarette smokers. Non-cigarette tobacco product users are also at risk due to comparable exposure levels.
Benjamin Fingerhut, a junior group leader at the Max Born Institute, has been awarded the prestigious ERC Starting Grant to study ultrafast biomolecular dynamics. The project aims to elucidate fundamental processes in biological systems using innovative non-adiabatic approaches.
Cynthia Pine, a renowned researcher at Queen Mary University of London, has received the IADR E.W. Borrow Memorial Award for her groundbreaking work on preventing childhood dental caries. Her research focuses on promoting oral health in disadvantaged communities and developing interventions to improve parents' key dental health behaviors.
A study analyzed 62 countries' DMTF Index scores, finding that those under Social Democratic and Liberal regimes had lower rates of tooth decay compared to Conservative and Dictatorial regimes. The researchers suggested creating new typologies to better characterize the relationship between political systems and oral health indicators.
The European Research Council has awarded EUR603 million to talented early career researchers, enabling them to create their own research teams and conduct pioneering projects. The selected scientists will focus on diverse topics, including ultrafast filming and the unique features of human cells.
The UK will build multidisciplinary collaborations between universities and industry through three £5m energy research hubs focused on Offshore Renewable Energy, Bioenergy, and Energy Networks. A new solar network will facilitate knowledge exchange and bring together researchers from 19 universities and 70 partners.
Researchers have developed a new method to measure pocket depths in periodontal disease using photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound. The technique offers high precision and covers all areas of the tooth, outperforming traditional probing methods.
A new trial found that 5% sodium fluoride varnish is not more effective than other treatments in reducing cavities among preschool children. The study tested two different solutions and showed mixed results.
Researchers found that land sparing, combining high-yield agriculture with preserving natural habitats, stores greater amounts of carbon than other systems. Lower-yield farming practices consistently held more carbon than high-yield farms due to increased area requirements.
Researchers have synthesized a new 2D material called hematene from iron ore, which exhibits enhanced photocatalytic properties. Hematene's ability to split water into hydrogen and oxygen makes it an efficient candidate for generating electricity.
The DEEP study examined the costs and quality-of-life of individuals with persistent orofacial pain (POFP) and estimated outcomes from pain onset. The results showed that high pain levels led to increased healthcare costs and decreased quality-of-life, highlighting the burden of POFP on health.
Scientists at Ames Laboratory have discovered a rare-earth intermetallic with an unusual magnetoelastic transition that displays a sharp magnetic phase change, giant magnetocaloric effect, and no hysteresis. This discovery has the potential to lead to the development of new materials for applications like magnetic refrigeration.
Non-syndromic Dentinogenesis Imperfecta is characterized by discolored teeth with a blue-gray or yellow-brown color and translucent appearance. Chronic Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) may be associated with the disorder, caused by mutant dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) gene mutations.
A recent study found that Programmed Cell Death-1 (PD-1) is crucial for the self-renewal and differentiation of dental pulp stem cells. Removal of PD-1 from these cells led to reduced proliferation rates, highlighting its importance in maintaining stem cell function.
A study found that perinatally HIV-infected youth on integrase inhibitors have a higher risk of dental caries. The study also showed that initiating protease inhibitors at age six or older is associated with less gingival inflammation and lower DMFT scores.
A recent study published in Journal of Dental Research found a strong correlation between the amount and frequency of sugars intake among children. Reducing consumption frequency leads to decreased amount consumed, highlighting the importance of balanced diet habits for oral health.
Researchers discovered that MMP20, an enzyme essential for tooth development, degrades the basement membrane to initiate enamel formation. The study's findings suggest that MMP20 plays a crucial role in regulating tooth growth and may be involved in various dental disorders.
The symposium highlighted new discoveries about oral exRNA biology, providing insights into saliva's unique fraction of exogenous RNA. Researchers discussed leveraging salivary extracellular RNA to improve research and practice in the field of dental and oral health.
The study reveals that people with high cognitive capacity can expand their circle of intimate friendships, while smaller communities tend to broaden their close friendships. The researchers found evidence supporting the Dunbar number theory, which suggests a limit on the number of friends our brain can handle.
A study in São Paulo City found that falling temperatures correlate with rising numbers of deaths from stroke, particularly among over-65s. Lower temperatures are a risk factor for hemorrhagic stroke, especially among women.
A new technique has been developed to manufacture non-stick food molds at a lower cost and with ease. The method involves transforming metal sheets covered in teflon and PVC into the desired shape using a punch guided by a computer, resulting in functional molds.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of random controlled trials found that chlorhexidine mouthwash reduces bacteraemia by only 12%, indicating its relatively low effectiveness. Despite this, the researchers recommend using a mouthwash with chlorhexidine before dental procedures due to its low cost and lack of adverse reactions.
A team of researchers found that the sun's rotational cycle influences lightning activity in Japan, with peaks every 24 to 31 days. The solar cycle affects the level of solar activity, which amplifies the rhythm of lightning activity.
Researchers at UMD developed an alert system that enabled telescopes worldwide to pinpoint the source of high-energy cosmic neutrinos. The evidence points to a supermassive black hole, dubbed a blazar, as the most likely accelerator of these particles.
A research group led by IceCube scientist Elisa Resconi provides evidence that the particles detected by the IceCube neutrino telescope originate from a galaxy four billion light-years away. The team used open access archive data to examine a 1.33-degree sky region around the position of the high-energy neutrino, and found only one bla...
Researchers from Technical University of Munich have determined the cosmic origin of highest-energy neutrinos, finding they emanate from a galaxy four billion light-years away. The team used open access archive data and specialized software to rule out other origins, confirming blazar TXS 0506+056 as the source.
Researchers have demonstrated a record-breaking 4000 km fiber-optic transmission link using ultra low-noise phase-sensitive optical amplifiers, improving reach by almost six times conventional optical amplifiers. The technology has significant potential to enhance video streaming, cloud storage and online services.
A new report by researchers from IIASA, LTU, and RISE finds that large-scale biorefineries will have limited effects on the availability and pricing of wood products and feedstocks. The production of biofuels and chemicals can replace some fossil-based equivalents, leading to increased demand for biomass resources.
A Brazilian research project has identified six genomic regions linked to weight gain in Nelore cattle, a breed adapted to tropical climates. The study, led by Diercles Cardoso, used DNA analysis to pinpoint genes associated with growth and weight gain, offering potential for improvement of the breed's food efficiency.
Researchers found that mice lacking the melanocortin 4 receptor exhibit increased attraction to environments associated with inflammation, nausea, or discomfort. This suggests a link between this receptor and the regulation of negative emotions.
A research team led by astronomers at the University of Warwick observed a jet of material streaming out from a merged star, confirming a key prediction about the aftermath of neutron star mergers. The observations were made using the Hubble Space Telescope and reveal that every neutron star merger likely creates a gamma-ray burst.
A recent study published in the journal Genetics found that the fungus Trichophyton rubrum exhibits asexual reproduction as its primary method of reproduction. The research suggests that mating between individuals is rare and requires highly specific conditions, resulting in low genetic variability within the population.