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Science X Newsletter Tue, Apr 30

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for April 30, 2024:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Atmospheric 'teleconnections' sustain warm blobs in the northeast Pacific Ocean

A framework to enhance the safety of text-to-image generation networks

Alpacas found to be the only mammal to directly inseminate the uterus

Researchers explore an old galactic open cluster

Exploring the origins of excitatory and inhibitory neuronal tuning in the postsubiculum

Mimicry allows lesser necklaced laughingthrush birds to benefit from living among larger related species

Citizen scientists help discover record-breaking exoplanet in binary star system

Unveiling nature's custodians: Study highlights crucial role of scavengers in wetlands

Microbiome researchers challenge the state of the art in colon cancer biomarker discovery

Abrupt permafrost thaw found to intensify warming effects on soil CO₂ emission

Too many vehicles, slow reactions and reckless merging: New math model explains how traffic and bacteria move

Team develops new type of anticoagulant whose action can be rapidly stopped

Genetic adaptations have impacted the blood compositions of two populations from Papua New Guinea, finds study

New study finds genetic markers that explain up to 12% of the differences between two people's blood pressure

Gene seekers discover atypical genes that control multiple valuable soybean traits

Nanotechnology news

New research reveals terahertz waves' impact on dynamics of nanoconfined water molecules

In a new discovery, researchers have revealed novel insights into the behavior of water molecules confined within nanostructures. Their study, published in Science Advances on April 24, delves into how terahertz (THz) waves influence the dynamics of water molecules confined in two-dimensional (2D) spaces within nanoresonators.

First high-resolution 3D nanoscale chemical imaging achieved with multi-modal tomography

By exploiting a smart learning algorithm that fuses two microscopy signals, University of Michigan researchers have accomplished high-resolution, efficient 3D chemical imaging for the first time at the one-nanometer scale. For context, a nanometer is one-millionth of a millimeter, or one-hundred-thousandth the width of a human hair.

Tracking the dynamics of biomolecules with optofluidic antennas

In order to better understand fundamental processes in life science at the molecular level, the precise observation of single molecule dynamics is of utmost interest. However, current techniques based on fluorescence measurements in aqueous solutions are unable to track changes in molecular structure with sufficient temporal resolution.

Researchers reveal water-assisted oxidative redispersion of metal nanoparticles

Oxidative redispersion at elevated temperatures has long been utilized in heterogeneous catalysis for the regeneration of sintered metal catalysts and the synthesis of metal single atom and cluster catalysts. These redispersion processes require a considerable energy input. Therefore, the quest for eco-friendly and energy-saving redispersion strategies remains an urgent priority.

New class of spongy materials can self-assemble into precisely controllable structures

A team of researchers led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst has drawn inspiration from a wide variety of natural geometric motifs—including those of 12-sided dice and potato chips—in order to extend a set of well-known design principles to an entirely new class of spongy materials that can self-assemble into precisely controllable structures.

Exploiting disorder to harvest heat energy: The potentialities of 2D magnets for thermoelectric applications

Thermoelectric systems are a green and sustainable way to harvest energy from any form of heat that otherwise would be wasted. At the core of this energy conversion process is the so-called Seebeck effect, which describes the voltage building up on a material exposed to a temperature difference.

Discovery of uranium-contaminated soil purification material without secondary environmental pollution

Nuclear energy has long been regarded as a next-generation energy source, and major countries around the world are competing to secure cutting-edge technologies by leveraging the high economic efficiency and sustainability of nuclear power. However, uranium, which is essential for nuclear power generation, has serious implications for both soil ecosystems and human health.

Physics news

New instrument could help scientists tailor plasma to produce more fusion heat

Creating heat from fusion reactions requires carefully manipulating the properties of plasma, the electrically charged fourth state of matter that makes up 99% of the visible universe.

Robots can't outrun animals. A new study explores why

The question may be the 21st century's version of the fable of the tortoise and the hare: Who would win in a foot race between a robot and an animal?

ALICE gets the green light for new subdetectors

Two detector upgrades of ALICE, the dedicated heavy-ion physics experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), have recently been approved for installation during the next long shutdown of the LHC, which will take place from 2026 to 2028. The first one is an upgrade of the innermost three layers of the Inner Tracking System (ITS3), and the second is a new forward calorimeter (FoCal), optimized for photon detection in the forward direction of the ALICE detector.

Earth news

Atmospheric 'teleconnections' sustain warm blobs in the northeast Pacific Ocean

The past 10 years have seen a series of "warm blobs" in the northeast Pacific Ocean. These marine heat waves do widespread damage to ecosystems and marine life in the area, but the mechanisms by which they develop and are sustained are still uncertain. Now a research group has found that they are caused by climate "teleconnections" from wave trains that originate in the Mediterranean Sea and North Atlantic region.

Abrupt permafrost thaw found to intensify warming effects on soil CO₂ emission

According to a recent study published in Nature Geoscience, scientists have found that soil carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are more sensitive to climate warming in permafrost-collapsed areas than in non-collapsed areas.

How the plant world shapes the climate cycle

In order to understand the Earth's resilience, researchers at ETH Zurich are modeling climate changes from times long past. And they show that plants are not simply victims of circumstances, but have helped to shape climate conditions on Earth.

Only four G20 countries set for positive ecological footprint by 2050, study finds

The U.K. along with 15 of the G20 nations are forecast to have a negative ecological footprint by 2050, according to new research from the University of Sheffield.

Believing environmental damage is done by others can cause 'race to the bottom'

Recent research shows that if communities think outsiders are stealing their forest resources, they are more likely to want to increase their own harvest.

Should chatbots chime in on climate change? Study explore potential of AI platforms for climate literacy

Can chatbots provide accurate information about the dangers of climate change? Well, that depends on a variety of factors including the specific topic, location being considered, and how much the chatbot is paid, according to a group of Virginia Tech researchers.

Study shows climate change and mercury pollution stressed plants for millions of years

The link between massive flood basalt volcanism and the end-Triassic (201 million years ago) mass extinction is commonly accepted. However, exactly how volcanism led to the collapse of ecosystems and the extinction of entire families of organisms is difficult to establish.

Activity in a room stirs up nanoparticles left over from consumer sprays, study shows

Common household products containing nanoparticles—grains of engineered material so miniscule they are invisible to the eye—could be contributing to a new form of indoor air pollution, according to a Rutgers University study.

An AI dataset carves new paths to tornado detection

The return of spring in the Northern Hemisphere touches off tornado season. A tornado's twisting funnel of dust and debris seems an unmistakable sight. But that sight can be obscured to radar, the tool of meteorologists. It's hard to know exactly when a tornado has formed, or even why.

Indonesia's Mount Ruang erupts again, spewing ash and peppering villages with debris

Indonesia's Mount Ruang volcano erupted Tuesday for a second time in two weeks, spewing ash almost 2 kilometers (more than a mile) into the sky, closing an airport and peppering nearby villages with debris.

Plastic pollution talks move closer to world-first pact

A fourth and penultimate round of UN-led negotiations to solve global plastic pollution wrapped up in Ottawa early on Tuesday with a world-first pact said to be within reach by year's end but without a cap on the production of polymers.

New study looks at US Drought Monitor to see how it has reflected climate change since 2000

Every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time, the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) publishes a map of drought conditions across the United States. Established in 2000, the USDM combines measurements of physical variables like soil moisture and runoff with reports of drought effects like fallow fields and reductions in municipal water supply.

Measuring your food waste for six weeks can change your habits, according to new study

You've had a long day and you're tired. Faced with making dinner, you look in the fridge and decide to cook something that requires little effort. This is a common scenario, and one that many people act out without really thinking about it.

Using cow dung and microorganisms to compost diapers and sanitary wear

Research published in the International Journal of Environment and Waste Management has looked at how used diapers (baby nappies or adult napkins) and sanitary wear might be efficiently composted using cow dung—a readily available by-product of cattle farming the world over.

Big data reveals true climate impact of worldwide air travel

For the first time ever, researchers have harnessed the power of big data to calculate the per-country greenhouse gas emissions from aviation for 197 countries covered by an international treaty on climate change.

G7 to phase out coal-fired power plants by mid-2030s

G7 ministers agreed a timeframe Tuesday for phasing out coal-fired power plants, setting as a goal the mid-2030s, in a move hailed as significant by some environmentalists but slammed as "too late" by others.

Astronomy and Space news

Researchers explore an old galactic open cluster

Using data from ESA's Gaia satellite, astronomers from Turkey and India have investigated NGC 188—an old open cluster in the Milky Way. Results of the study, published April 19 on the pre-print server arXiv, deliver important insights into the parameters and properties of this cluster.

Citizen scientists help discover record-breaking exoplanet in binary star system

A team of astronomers and citizen scientists has discovered a planet in the habitable zone of an unusual star system, including two stars and potentially another exoplanet.

Astronomers' simulations support dark matter theory

Computer simulations by astronomers support the idea that dark matter—matter that no one has yet directly detected but which many physicists think must be there to explain several aspects of the observable universe—exists, according to the researchers, who include those at the University of California, Irvine.

Enceladus spills its guts through strike–slip motion

Over the course of its elliptical orbit, the moon Enceladus is squeezed unevenly by Saturn's gravitational pull and deforms from a spherical shape into a football shape and back again. This cyclic stress causes a phenomenon called "tidal heating" within Enceladus and dissipates enough energy to maintain what is believed to be a global ocean underneath the moon's icy crust.

Clouds blanket the night side of the hot exoplanet WASP-43b

Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a team of astronomers, including scientists from MPIA, constructed a global temperature map of the hot, gas giant exoplanet WASP-43b. The nearby parent star perpetually illuminates one hemisphere, raising temperatures to a blistering 1250°C. Meanwhile, eternal night shrouds the opposite side.

Novel calculations peg age of 'baby' asteroid

An asteroid dubbed "Lucy's baby" after a NASA spacecraft discovered it is orbiting another asteroid last November is,, in fact,, a solar system toddler—just 2–3 million years old, a Cornell-led research team estimates using novel statistical calculations.

NASA's Mars Sample Return mission is in trouble—but it's a vital step to sending humans to the red planet

NASA recently asked the scientific community to help come up with innovative ideas for ways to carry out its Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission. This was in response to a report by an independent board that deemed that its US$11 billion (£8.7 billion) price tag was too expensive and its 2040 timeline too far in the future.

Astronomers significantly impact the climate by traveling to conferences, say researchers

In 2019, global travel to international academic conferences in the field of astronomy caused the equivalent of 42,500 tons of climate-damaging CO2 emissions. This equates to an average of one ton of CO2 per participant and conference. The total distance covered adds up to a truly astronomical sum: one and a half times the distance between the Earth and the sun.

JWST uses interferometry mode to reveal two protoplanets around a young star

The JWST is flexing its muscles with its interferometry mode. Researchers used it to study a well-known extrasolar system called PDS 70. The goal? To test the interferometry mode and see how it performs when observing a complex target.

Two new satellites join the Galileo constellation

The European Galileo navigation system has two more satellites in orbit following their launch in the early morning of Sunday, 28 April, at 01:34 BST/02:34 CEST. With 30 satellites now in orbit, Galileo is expanding its constellation, increasing the reliability, robustness and, ultimately, the precision, benefiting billions of users worldwide.

Chinese astronauts return to earth after six months in space

China's Shenzhou-17 spacecraft returned to Earth Tuesday, carrying three astronauts who have completed a six-month mission aboard the country's orbiting space station.

Launch date set for NASA's PREFIRE mission to study polar energy loss

NASA and Rocket Lab are targeting no earlier than Wednesday, May 22, 2024, for the first of two launches of the agency's PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) mission to study heat loss to space in Earth's polar regions.

Technology news

A framework to enhance the safety of text-to-image generation networks

The emergence of machine learning algorithms that can generate texts and images following human users' instructions has opened new possibilities for the low-cost creation of specific content. A class of these algorithms that are radically transforming creative processes worldwide are so-called text-to-image (T2I) generative networks.

Research team improves voltage of aqueous rechargeable batteries in the quest for safer, cheaper options

A QUT-led team of international researchers has made a breakthrough in the development of a type of battery that is much safer and cheaper than the batteries currently charging our smart devices.

Trotting robots reveal emergence of animal gait transitions

A four-legged robot trained with machine learning by EPFL researchers has learned to avoid falls by spontaneously switching between walking, trotting, and pronking—a milestone for roboticists as well as biologists interested in animal locomotion.

Turning up the heat on data storage: New memory device paves the way for AI computing in extreme environments

A smartphone shutting down on a sweltering day is an all-too-common annoyance that may accompany a trip to the beach on a sunny afternoon. Electronic memory within these devices isn't built to handle extreme heat.

Paper power: Origami technology makes its way into quadcopters

Over the past decade, researchers all around the world have been finding new and exciting use cases for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Commonly called "drones," UAVs have proved their worth across many fields, including photography, agriculture, land surveying, disaster management, and even the transportation of goods.

New research reports on buckling: When structures suddenly collapse

Last summer, when the Titan submersible suffered a catastrophic implosion on its way to take passengers to see the Titanic shipwreck, it was a dramatic example of the failure of a thin-walled structure. Those structures, which may be in the shapes of spherical or cylindrical shells, can efficiently carry relatively large loads, but their slenderness makes them susceptible to buckling-induced collapse.

AI speech analysis may aid in assessing and preventing potential suicides, says researcher

Speech is critical to detecting suicidal ideation and a key to understanding the mental and emotional state of people experiencing it. Suicide hotline counselors are trained to quickly analyze speech variation to better help callers through a crisis.

Methane emissions from landfill could be turned into sustainable jet fuel with plasma-driven process

In a world first, University of Sydney researchers have developed a chemical process using plasma that could create sustainable jet fuel from methane gas emitted from landfills, potentially creating a low-carbon aviation industry.

Samsung says Q1 operating profits soar nearly tenfold on-year

Samsung Electronics said Tuesday that its first-quarter operating profits had risen nearly tenfold year-on-year amid recovering chip prices and growing demand, notably for generative AI.

Asia's first spot bitcoin, ether ETFs start trading in Hong Kong

Hong Kong on Tuesday launched trading of Asia's first spot bitcoin and ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs), moving forward in the city's race to become a regional virtual asset investment hub.

ChatGPT faces Austria complaint over 'uncorrectable errors'

A Vienna-based privacy campaign group said Monday it would file a complaint against ChatGPT in Austria, claiming the "hallucinating" flagship AI tool has invented wrong answers that creator OpenAI cannot correct.

Study explores how African American English speakers adapt their speech to be understood by voice technology

Interactions with voice technology, such as Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Siri, and Google Assistant, can make life easier by increasing efficiency and productivity. However, errors in generating and understanding speech during interactions are common. When using these devices, speakers often style-shift their speech from their normal patterns into a louder and slower register, called technology-directed speech.

Researchers develop new 3D printing for ultra-thin multi-material tubular structures

A novel 3D printing technology developed by Beihang University researchers was able to print multi-material tubular structures with a minimum wall thickness as thin as 50 micrometers and a minimum feature size of 10 micrometers.

Australia just made a billion-dollar bet on building the world's first 'useful' quantum computer

The Australian government has announced a pledge of approximately A$940 million (US$617 million) to PsiQuantum, a quantum computing start-up company based in Silicon Valley.

New sodium-ion battery tech boosts green energy storage affordability

In an advance for energy-storage technologies, researchers have developed high ionic-conductivity solid-state electrolytes for sodium-ion batteries that dramatically enhance performance at room temperature. This development not only paves the way for more efficient and affordable energy storage solutions but also strengthens the viability of sodium-ion batteries as a sustainable alternative to traditional lithium-ion systems.

Tesla to cut hundreds more jobs in Musk cost push: Report

Tesla plans hundreds of additional job cuts beyond a recent company-wide layoff as it cracks down on costs in a tough electric vehicle market, according to a US media report.

Chinese tech giant Huawei profit surges 564%, biting into Apple sales

Tech giant Huawei's first-quarter profits surged over fivefold year-on-year, a company filing showed Tuesday, as the US-sanctioned firm continues a rebound and bit into competitor Apple's sales in China.

Report finds e-bike incentives are worth the investment

Electric bicycle rebates have exploded in popularity in North America as transportation planners try to get people out of their cars and into healthier, more climate-friendly alternatives. However, there is limited understanding of the full impacts of these incentives.

Researchers develop improved power pole insulation materials to prevent power pole-top fires

Engineers in Australia have found a new way to make power-pole insulators resistant to fire and electrical sparking, promising to prevent dangerous pole-top fires and reduce blackouts.

New model estimates cultivable space at photovoltaic plants for combining agricultural and photovoltaic production

A team at the University of Cordoba has developed a methodology that defines the cultivable space between two-axis photovoltaic modules, with the aim of promoting the conversion of existing plants over to agrivoltaic production.

A new framework to improve high computing performance

From a luxury to a day-to-day necessity, computing isn't quite what it used to be. As applications like machine learning and 5G mobile networks become the norm, the need for high computing performance has never been greater. This has also necessitated the development of more energy-efficient and cost-effective systems like "chiplets" to help these applications run smoothly.

Between one and all: Researchers propose system to control selected devices on network

One or all—that's the current choice many networks give users when it comes to controlling smart devices. With the evolving Internet of Things (IoT), referring to the technology that connects devices to one another and to the cloud, users need more specific control over their devices. Now, a Japanese team of researchers has developed a solution that may allow both more efficient and more secure control.

Microsoft will invest $1.7 billion in AI and cloud infrastructure in Indonesia

Microsoft will invest $1.7 billion over the next four years in new cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure in Indonesia—the single largest investment in Microsoft's 29-year history in the country—Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said Tuesday.

EU probes Facebook, Instagram over election disinformation worries

The EU on Tuesday launched an investigation into Meta's Facebook and Instagram over concerns the platforms are failing to counter disinformation ahead of EU elections in June.

Electric cars pile up at European ports as Chinese firms struggle to find buyers

China's automotive industry has revolutionized over the past decade, from producing basic western clones to making cars that equal the world's best. As the manufacturing powerhouse of the world, China is also producing them in huge volumes.

Changpeng Zhao, the 'normal guy' who conquered crypto

During his time at the helm of the world's biggest cryptocurrency firm, former Binance boss Changpeng Zhao, who was sentenced to four months' prison in the United States on Tuesday for money laundering, perfected the humble executive look.

US newspapers sue OpenAI, Microsoft over AI chatbots

Eight US newspapers sued OpenAI and Microsoft in a New York federal court Tuesday for violating their copyright to train the technology behind the ChatGPT and Copilot chatbots.

Vienna conference urges regulation of AI weapons

The world should establish a set of rules to regulate AI weapons while they're still in their infancy, a global conference said on Tuesday, calling the issue an "Oppenheimer moment" of the time.

Ex-Binance chief jailed for four months in US

The founder of cryptocurrency firm Binance was sentenced to four months in US prison on Tuesday after pleading guilty to money laundering charges, in the most high-profile crypto case since Sam Bankman-Fried was jailed.

Chemistry news

Clumps of an otherwise non-toxic molecule inhibit strep's DNA-cleaving enzymes, researchers discover

An entirely new approach to inhibiting DNA-cleaving enzymes works through the aggregation of an otherwise non-toxic molecule. This Kobe University discovery may lead to a much-needed method for curbing Streptococcus growth.

Novel high refractive index polymers show promise in sustainable optoelectronics

High refractive index polymers (HRIPs) are essential for manufacturing modern optoelectronic devices, including displays and light sensors. However, high-performance HRIPs are expensive and environmentally unfriendly.

Organic electrochemical transistors: Scientists solve chemical mystery at the interface of biology and technology

Researchers who want to bridge the divide between biology and technology spend a lot of time thinking about translating between the two different "languages" of those realms.

Many old books contain toxic chemicals—here's how to spot them

In our modern society, we rarely consider books to be dangerous items. However, certain books contain elements so hazardous that they require scrutiny before being placed on the shelves of public libraries, bookstores or even private homes.

Identification of endocrine disruptors hampered by data scarcity: Report

Lack of data from the chemical industry in the EU often prevents the assessment of whether substances, for example, used in consumer products, are endocrine disrupting.

B₄C–TiB₂ composite ceramics with adjustable mechanical and electrical properties

In recent years, electro-conductive composite ceramics have gradually become a research hotspot in the functionalization of structural ceramics. However, the improvement of conductivity is generally achieved at the cost of increasing the content of conductive phases or sacrificing the mechanical properties of the composite ceramics.

Biology news

Alpacas found to be the only mammal to directly inseminate the uterus

A pair of biologists from Mount Holyoke College, working with a colleague from North American Camelid Studies Program, the Nunoa Project, has found that the male alpaca thrusts his penis all the way into the uterus of the female during mating, making the camelid the only mammal known to do so.

Mimicry allows lesser necklaced laughingthrush birds to benefit from living among larger related species

A team of ecologists, environmentalists and biologists from several institutions in China, working with a colleague from Nepal and another in the U.S., has found an instance of mimicry in a species of necklaced laughingthrush. In their study, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the group studied lesser and greater necklaced laughingthrush birds found both in museums and in the wild.

Unveiling nature's custodians: Study highlights crucial role of scavengers in wetlands

A study by researchers from the Ecology area of the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) and the Ecology department of the University of Alicante (UA) reveals the fundamental importance of scavengers and carrion in wetlands.

Team develops new type of anticoagulant whose action can be rapidly stopped

Anticoagulant treatments are crucial for managing many conditions, such as heart disease, stroke and venous thrombosis. Current options, however, carry an inherent risk of serious bleeding due to trauma or unforeseen events. A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the University of Sydney has developed a new anticoagulant, designed to have an on-demand reversible activity, with a fast-acting "antidote."

Genetic adaptations have impacted the blood compositions of two populations from Papua New Guinea, finds study

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has a wide range of environments, each presenting unique challenges to human survival. Highlanders and lowlanders of PNG are striking examples of populations facing distinct environmental stress. Whereas the highlanders encounter low oxygen availability due to altitude, the lowlanders are exposed to specific pathogens that are absent in the highlands, such as malaria. Despite these strong environmental pressures, the specific adaptations of these populations have remained overlooked.

Gene seekers discover atypical genes that control multiple valuable soybean traits

A team led by Purdue University soybean geneticist Jianxin Ma has developed a new biotechnological tool for the domestication of desirable traits from wild soybeans, such as resistance to leafhopper insect pests. The use of such tools, called de novo domestication, makes it easier for scientists to engineer crop improvements from wild soybeans.

Evidence suggests saber-toothed cats held onto their baby teeth to stabilize their sabers

California's state fossil—are familiar to anyone who has ever visited Los Angeles' La Brea Tar Pits, a sticky trap from which more than 2,000 saber-toothed cat skulls have been excavated over more than a century.

Biodegradable 'living plastic' houses bacterial spores that help it break down

A new type of bioplastic could help reduce the plastic industry's environmental footprint. Researchers led by the University of California San Diego have developed a biodegradable form of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a soft yet durable commercial plastic used in footwear, floor mats, cushions and memory foam. It is filled with bacterial spores that, when exposed to nutrients present in compost, germinate and break down the material at the end of its life cycle.

New tool decodes complex, single-cell genomic data

Unlocking biological information from complex single-cell genomic data has just become easier and more precise, thanks to the innovative scLENS tool developed by the Biomedical Mathematics Group within the IBS Center for Mathematical and Computational Sciences led by Chief Investigator Kim Jae Kyoung, who is also a Professor at KAIST. This represents a significant leap forward in the field of single-cell transcriptomics.

Adaptation of photosynthetic mechanism in air plants occurs through gene duplication, study finds

Researchers at the University of Vienna, along with collaborators from France, Germany, Switzerland and the U.S., have achieved a breakthrough in understanding how genetic drivers influence the evolution of a specific photosynthesis mechanism in Tillandsia (air plants). This sheds light on the complex actions that cause plant adaptation and ecological diversity. The results of their study are published in Plant Cell.

Engineered increase in mesophyll conductance improves photosynthetic efficiency in field trial

It is possible to engineer increased mesophyll conductance in plants according to new research from the University of Illinois. Mesophyll conductance plays a key role in photosynthesis and refers to the ease with which CO2 can diffuse through a leaf's cells before reaching the location where it is ultimately turned into sugar to feed the plant (carbon fixation).

Study is first to describe and recreate lemurs' one-of-a-kind vocal structure

New research has discovered that lemurs, the small primates native to Madagascar, are capable of exaggerating their size thanks to the unique structure of their larynx.

Inexpensive spring truffles or exquisite Piedmont truffles? New analytical method can detect food fraud

Some truffles are particularly expensive and therefore often the target of food fraud. For example, high-priced Piedmont truffles (Tuber magnatum) are often difficult to distinguish from the cheaper spring truffles (T. borchii) on the basis of their appearance.

Missing link in species conservation: Pharmacists, chemists could turn tide on plant, animal extinction

As the world faces the loss of a staggering number of species of animals and plants to endangerment and extinction, one University of Michigan scientist has an urgent message: Chemists and pharmacists should be key players in species conservation efforts.

Researchers suggest that mechanical pressure triggers a key event in HIV infection

It has been more than 40 years since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and scientists still don't fully understand how HIV enters and replicates in human cells, which has hindered the development of treatments.

Discovery of mechanism plants use to change seed oil could impact industrial, food oils

Researchers have discovered a new mechanism of oil biosynthesis and found a way to genetically engineer a type of test plant to more efficiently produce different kinds of seed oil that it otherwise wouldn't make.

A virus could help save billions of gallons of wastewater produced by fracking

An estimated 168 billion gallons of wastewater—or produced water—is generated annually by the Permian Basin fracking industry, according to a 2022 report by the Texas Produced Water Consortium. The major waste stream has proved both difficult and costly to treat because of the chemical complexity of the water.

Researchers find pesticides in a third of Australian frogs tested. Did these cause mass deaths?

In winter 2021, Australia's frogs started dropping dead. People began posting images of dead frogs on social media. Unable to travel to investigate the deaths ourselves because of COVID lockdowns, we asked the public to report to us any sick or dead frogs.

Study dispels myth that purebred dogs are more prone to health problems

It's a common belief that purebred dogs are more prone to disease than mixed-breed dogs, but a new study led by researchers at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) has busted this myth.

How polyps of the moon jellyfish repel viral attacks on their microbiome

Bacteriophages, or phages for short, are viruses that infect bacteria and kill them through a lysis process. Phages can kill bacteria on or in a multicellular host organism, such as the polyp of the moon jellyfish. Phages specialize in specific bacteria and can significantly alter the bacterial composition of a polyp's microbiome.

Study uncovers the secret of long-lived stem cells

Nothing lives forever, but compared to other cells in the body, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are remarkably long-lived. HSCs are blood-forming cells—they give rise to rapidly dividing progenitor cells, which in turn generate hundreds of billions of cells to fulfill the daily demand of oxygen-delivering red blood cells, disease-fighting white blood cells and clot-forming platelets.

Antimicrobial resistance prevalence varies by age and sex in bloodstream infections in European hospitals: Study

New research presented at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID 2024, Barcelona 27-30 April) shows that levels of resistance to antimicrobials (AMR) varies with age and sex, with age in particular showing substantial variation both between and within countries. The study by Gwen Knight, Associate Professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and co-Director of the LSHTM AMR Centre, London, UK, and colleagues, is published in PLOS Medicine.

Behavioral therapy against aging: Researchers study the effect of therapies on older dogs

It is well known that getting plenty of exercise and mental training are important for a long and healthy life. But which is more effective? Do the tasks develop abilities that go beyond them?

Dying salmon trouble Norway's vast fish-farm industry

They are hailed for their omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients, but Norway's salmon are not in the best of health themselves at the fish farms where they are bred.

Wild bees are under threat from domestic bees, invasive species, pathogens and climate change—but we can help

Canada is home to more than 800 species of wild bees—few may have noticed the diversity of native bees buzzing around, but bees play a significant role in the survival of native plant populations.

Four myths about vertical farming debunked by an expert

Vertical farms look hi-tech and sophisticated, but the premise is simple—plants are grown without soil, with their roots in a solution containing nutrients. This innovative approach to agriculture is growing in global market value and expected to reach US$23.23 billion (£18.55 billion) by 2029.

Studies on Hainan Island rubber plantations reveal secrets of soil

Microscopic life thrives beneath our feet, playing a crucial role in soil health and carbon storage. Researchers from the Institute of Applied Ecology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have been delving into the mysteries of how different soil types affect these microbial communities and their impact on underground processes.

Gum arabic from Africa's acacia trees in the Sahel is used in hundreds of products: What's worth knowing

The conflict in Sudan has turned attention to a rarely discussed commodity: gum arabic. This product, the dried sap of certain species of acacia trees, is used mainly as an additive in the soft drinks industry. Sudan accounts for about 70% of global gum arabic exports. Asgar Ali, an expert in sustainable food systems, answers questions about the commodity and its prospects.

Researchers reveal mechanisms of soil organic carbon accumulation in acidified forest soils

Southern forests contribute more than 50% of the soil organic carbon (SOC) in China's forest ecosystem, and the soil can still accumulate SOC. Deeply developed tropical and subtropical forest soil has undergone severe acidification, but the mechanism of continuous SOC accumulation in deeply acidified forest soils remains unclear.

Study reveals floral resource partitioning among coexisting bumblebees at species, colony and individual levels

Understanding how different species manage to coexist in the same community, especially when competing for similar resources, remains a fascinating puzzle in ecology.

Study reveals crucial role of invertebrates as eco-custodians in global forest litter decomposition

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has studied the role of invertebrates in forest litter decomposition. The study, led by researchers Ph.D. candidate Xiaoyi Zeng and Professor Louise A. Ashton from the School of Biological Sciences at HKU, illustrates the significant contribution of soil invertebrates, specifically termites, to forest litter decomposition in tropical and subtropical regions.

Remote Lake Superior island wolf numbers are stable but moose population declining, researchers say

Researchers forced to cut short an annual survey of wildlife on a remote Lake Superior island this winter due to unusually warm weather announced Tuesday that they managed to gather data that shows the wolf population is stable.

Making seagrass restoration more resistant to rising temperatures using generalist grasses

New research demonstrates that seagrass habitat restoration can be enhanced by including other grasses in addition to the declining or lost species and—ultimately—that restoration efforts must proactively select species that can withstand current and intensifying stressors driven by human activities and climate change. The work is published in the Journal of Applied Ecology.

Habitats much more vulnerable for nitrogen deposition than previously thought

Nitrogen deposition is one of the four main pressures on nature in Europe. Many of the Natura 2000 sites suffer from an excessive input of ammonium and nitrate from farming, industry, traffic and households, leading to the disappearance of many plant species and consequently dependent animal species.

Study explores biology, impact, management and potential distribution of destructive longhorn beetle

A new study published in the Journal of Pest Science explores the biology, impact, management and potential distribution of the invasive, red-necked longhorn beetle (Aromia bungii) which has recently invaded Japan, Germany, and Italy.

A rare and little-known group of monkeys could help save Africa's tropical forests

Conservationists and scientists from almost 20 institutions in the United States, Europe, and Africa, have concluded that immediate conservation efforts to protect red colobus monkey species could have cascading net positive impacts on African tropical forest health in the face of a growing biodiversity crisis.

An AI model to reduce uncertainty in evapotranspiration prediction

When scientists look at the Earth's available water for ecosystem services, they don't just look at precipitation. They must also account for water moving from the ground to the atmosphere, a process known as evapotranspiration (ET).

Study sheds new light on how Scotland's beavers interact with the environment

A study by the University of Stirling has shed new light on how beavers reintroduced to Scotland indirectly interact with deer—and the implications for the woodlands they share.

It may be time to eliminate the best-before date on food packaging, say smart packaging researchers

The inventors of a suite of tests that enable food packages to signal whether their contents are contaminated are working to bring producers and regulators together to get their inventions into commercial products, with the goal of preventing illness and reducing food waste.

Invasive termites dining in our homes will soon be a reality in most cities, says research

With climate change continuing its relentless march, the world faces not only rising temperatures and extreme weather but also an insidious threat to our homes: invasive termites. And the bill could be steep; invasive termites currently cost over US $40 billion annually.

Low-intensity grazing is locally better for biodiversity but challenging for land users, study shows

A team of researchers led by the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Leipzig University (UL), and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) has investigated the motivation and potential incentives for and challenges of low-intensity grazing among farmers and land users in Europe. The interview results have been published in Land Use Policy.

Climate change lengthens, intensifies the blooming of holm oak and other Quercus species: Study

A study by the University of Cordoba analyzes trends in the blooming patterns of the genus Quercus in Andalusia, using pollen concentrations in the air and confirming their effects on allergies

Hong Kong team plants seeds to safeguard legacy grains

Far from the soaring skyscrapers synonymous with Hong Kong, scientists and farmers labor in a paddy field on the city's outskirts to revive dormant rice varieties that once sprung from local soil.

'Bloodsicles', baths keep Philippine zoo animals cool as heat wave hits

A Philippine zoo is giving tigers frozen treats made of animal blood and preventing lions from mating during the hottest time of the day as a heat wave scorches the country.

Medicine and Health news

Exploring the origins of excitatory and inhibitory neuronal tuning in the postsubiculum

Brain cells can be broadly divided into two categories: inhibitory and excitatory neurons. Excitatory neurons are cells that support the generation of electrical impulses in postsynaptic neurons, thus prompting the activation of cells in specific brain regions. Inhibitory neurons, on the other hand, contribute to inhibiting these electrical impulses and thus reducing activity in specific brain regions.

Microbiome researchers challenge the state of the art in colon cancer biomarker discovery

For the first time, researchers from VIB-KU Leuven, UZ Leuven, Janssen Pharmaceutica and multiple international collaborators have introduced quantitative methods and extensive confounder control to discover microbiome biomarkers in colorectal cancer development. While multiple microbial taxa have been put forward as potential cancer-associated biomarkers in the past, this new study uncovers obscured contributions that may have resulted in incorrect associations. The results have been published in Nature Medicine.

New study finds genetic markers that explain up to 12% of the differences between two people's blood pressure

National Institutes of Health researchers and collaborators have discovered over 100 new regions of the human genome, also known as genomic loci, that appear to influence a person's blood pressure. Results of the study also point to several specific genomic loci that may be relevant to iron metabolism and a type of cellular receptor known as adrenergic receptors.

X-chromosome inactivation may reduce autism risk, study in mice suggests

A study in mice suggests how chromosome inactivation may protect girls from a type of autism disorder inherited from their father's X chromosome.

Study introduces improved way to grow cells that give rise to kidney's filtration system

In a study published in Cell Stem Cell, USC scientists report significant progress in cultivating nephron progenitor cells (NPCs), the cells destined to form the kidney's filtration system, the nephrons. NPCs hold immense promise for understanding kidney development, modeling diseases, and discovering new treatments.

Scientists find cancer-like features in atherosclerosis, spurring opportunity for new treatment approaches

Researchers have discovered that the smooth muscle cells that line the arteries of people with atherosclerosis can change into new cell types and develop traits similar to cancer that worsen the disease. The study has been published in Circulation.

New regulator of eating behavior identified

The rapidly escalating prevalence of overweight and obesity poses a significant medical challenge worldwide. In addition to people's changing lifestyles, genetic factors also play a key role in the development of obesity.

Neuroscientists find integrity of white brain matter in superagers does not deteriorate, explains sharp memory

A team of neuroscientists from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and Queen Sofia Foundation Alzheimer Center, both in Spain, has found that so-called superagers maintain memory as they grow older because they do not experience a decline in the integrity of their white brain matter.

Researchers identify over 2,000 genetic signals linked to blood pressure in study of over 1 million people

Researchers led by Queen Mary University of London have discovered over a hundred new regions of the human genome, also known as genomic loci, that appear to influence a person's blood pressure. In total, over 2,000 independent genetic signals for blood pressure are now reported, demonstrating that blood pressure is a highly complex trait influenced by thousands of different genetic variants.

Researchers identify gene linked to development of fatty liver disease

New research from the University of Aberdeen could lead to the development of medication for disease that affects 1 in 4 people worldwide but is currently untreatable.

A better COVID treatment for the immunocompromised? Researchers create a non-toxic potential alternative to Paxlovid

A combination of two antiviral compounds may be a promising alternative to Paxlovid when treating COVID-19 in immunocompromised patients, according to Karen S. Anderson, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology and of molecular biophysics & biochemistry at Yale School of Medicine.

New drug candidate reverses obesity in mice

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet may have found a new way to treat obesity and related disorders by targeting the cells' mitochondria. A study published in Nature Metabolism shows that a specific class of drugs that block mitochondrial function can reverse diet-induced obesity, fatty liver and diabetes in mice.

Study finds some people have a uniquely human gene that enhances immune function

University at Buffalo researchers have found that the active form of a gene promotes a broad range of protective traits. The gene is found in 75% of the population and is known to protect against neurodegeneration. Now, UB researchers have found that this same gene enhances immune function, too.

Researchers target neurogenesis in new approach to treat Parkinson's disease

Researchers at the University of Toronto have found a way to better control the preclinical generation of key neurons depleted in Parkinson's disease, pointing toward a new approach for a disease with no cure and few effective treatments.

Study identifies immunity threshold for protection against COVID-19 in children

As COVID-19 becomes endemic, an important group of people who continue to require vaccination is future birth cohorts of children. Yet, in the face of everchanging variants, as well as the waning of antibodies with time after each dose, key questions remain: What is the threshold of immune response against SARS-CoV-2 needed to protect against COVID-19 and how many doses of mRNA vaccination are required to reach that threshold?

Medication-assisted treatment, along with group therapy, found to improve inhibitory control in heroin addiction

In line with their previous work, researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai showed that individuals with heroin use disorder have lower activity in the anterior and dorsolateral PFC when performing an inhibitory control task compared with healthy controls.

What goal-directed learning is and why it's important for adolescents to learn from their actions

Imagine you're at a carnival and want to win a big stuffed toy. You play different games and, if successful, collect tickets. But it's not the tickets you care about, it's the big toy they'll buy.

Patients diagnosed with cancer in prison more likely to die from the disease, research shows

Cancer patients diagnosed in English prisons do not receive the same level of curative treatment as those in the general population, meaning they are at increased risk of death.

Cranberry extracts could boost microbiota and counter cardiometabolic diseases

Cranberry extracts appear to improve intestinal microbiota and help prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. A recent study by Université Laval and the Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF) reported beneficial effects after only four days of use.

Evidence-based integrated approaches provide new opportunities to improve complex pain management

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic and debilitating pain disorder, typically considered lifelong with limited treatment options. Now, new research finds that early detection and effective treatment can lead to significant recovery within 18 months, offering hope to millions of people worldwide.

Regulating cholesterol levels might be the key to improving cancer treatment

A team of researchers from Aarhus University has made a remarkable discovery that could improve cancer treatment and the treatment of a number of other illnesses. Their research is published in the journal Nature Communications.

A step forward for self-health monitoring—wireless charging through a magnetic connection

Zheng Yan and a team of researchers at the University of Missouri have made a significant breakthrough in their ongoing development of an on-skin wearable bioelectronic device. Yan's lab, which specializes in soft bioelectronics, recently added an important component to the team's existing ultrasoft, breathable and stretchable material.

Researchers reveal a new approach for treating degenerative diseases

Proteins are the workhorses of life. Organisms use them as building blocks, receptors, processors, couriers and catalysts. A protein's structure is critical to its function. Malformed proteins not only fail to carry out their tasks, they can accumulate and eventually gum up the inner workings of cells. As a result, misfolded proteins cause a variety of degenerative diseases, from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's to the blinding disease retinitis pigmentosa. These disorders are currently incurable.

Gene expression analyses identify potential drivers of chronic allergic inflammation

Currently, most therapies for allergic diseases require lifelong treatment. Allergic reactions, characterized by ongoing (type 2) inflammation in response to chronic antigen exposure, underlie many chronic diseases in humans, including asthma, atopic dermatitis, ulcerative colitis and more. T helper 2 (Th2) cells play an important role in the body's immune response, particularly in allergic reactions. Despite their central role, the sustained activity of Th2 cells during allergic reactions, even in the face of constant antigen exposure, has long puzzled researchers.

Treatment-related pain may be 'socially contagious'

An individual's experience of pain from medical treatment can be heightened by witnessing other people's responses to the same treatment, with this negative experience subsequently spreading to others, scientists have discovered.

An electrifying discovery may help doctors deliver more effective gene therapies

In an effort to improve delivery of costly medical treatments, a team of researchers in electrical engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has developed a stimulating method that could make the human body more receptive to certain gene therapies.

Neuroscientists discover two specific brain differences linked to how brains respond during tasks

A new study by neuroscientists at Florida State University has revealed brain differences that may explain why humans demonstrate a variety of cognitive abilities and behaviors.

Rio de Janeiro tests new recipe against childhood obesity

Chicken with potatoes, carrot-and-cabbage salad: it looks like a detox meal, but it's the menu at a school cafeteria in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which is seeking new ways to fight childhood obesity.

Listening to mindfulness audios during radiation found to improve physical, emotional side effects

Men with prostate cancer who are treated with radiation therapy experience significant side effects such as fatigue, sleep problems, anxiety and depressive symptoms. But listening to mindfulness audio recordings significantly eased those symptoms, a new Northwestern Medicine study has found.

GPT-4, Google Gemini fall short in breast imaging classification, study finds

Use of publicly available large language models (LLMs) resulted in changes in breast imaging reports classification that could have a negative effect on patient management, according to a new international study published in the journal Radiology. The study findings underscore the need to regulate these LLMs in scenarios that require high-level medical reasoning, researchers said.

Lung abnormality progression linked to acute respiratory disease in smokers

Smokers who have small abnormalities on their CT scans that grow over time have a greater likelihood of experiencing acute respiratory disease events, according to a new study published in Radiology.

Quitting smoking during pregnancy may have a positive effect on placental weight

A new study from the University of Bergen and the University of Exeter shows that pregnant women who quit smoking may prevent an abnormal mismatch between the weight of the placenta and the growth of the fetus.

International study finds loneliness grows as we age

Loneliness in adulthood follows a U-shaped pattern: it's higher in younger and older adulthood, and lowest during middle adulthood, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study that examined nine longitudinal studies from around the world.

Targeting protein interactions may boost antitumor immunity in breast cancer

A multi-institutional team of investigators has discovered that targeting a specific protein interaction within immunosuppressive breast cancer cells may increase antitumor immune responses in otherwise difficult to treat solid tumors, according to recent findings published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Study highlights importance of early interventions to combat HIV

A study has compared the development of HIV reservoirs—locations in the body where the virus persists in a latent state—between patients who receive either early or late medical interventions. The findings highlight the importance of timely treatments for managing the virus.

Tsetse fly protein provides anticoagulant with its own on-off switch

Researchers at the University of Sydney and University of Geneva have developed a new anticoagulant, whose anticlotting action can be rapidly stopped "on demand." The result could lead to new surgical and post-operative drugs that minimize the risk of serious bleeding.

Does obesity really increase your risk of dementia?

Many dementia charities advise people to maintain a healthy weight to reduce their risk of dementia. But some studies have suggested that obesity might actually protect against dementia. What does the science say?

Smoking and alcohol leading cause of surge in cancer deaths and cases in Asia, global study finds

A large new global study published in The Lancet Regional Health—Southeast Asia reveals that cancer-related deaths rose to 5.6 million in 2019 from 2.8 million in 1999 in Asia, attributing the surge mainly to smoking and alcohol.

US has found H5N1 flu virus in milk—here's why the risk to humans is likely low

Reports that the H5N1 virus has been found in raw and pasteurized milk in the United States have raised questions regarding the safety of H5N1-contaminated milk for human consumption. Although H5N1 influenza usually affects birds, it was recently found in U.S. dairy cows. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada's April 26 update, no cases have been reported in Canada yet.

What are heart rate zones, and how can you incorporate them into your exercise routine?

If you spend a lot of time exploring fitness content online, you might have come across the concept of heart rate zones. Heart rate zone training has become more popular in recent years partly because of the boom in wearable technology which, among other functions, allows people to easily track their heart rates.

'Lazy', 'messy', 'smart': How labels affect a child's personality development

Words have a direct impact on the formation of a child's identity. By labeling children, for example categorizing them as "lazy" or "clever," we may actually be doing them a disservice. We might see ourselves as benevolent architects of their future, but we might, involuntarily, be holding them back.

Doctors seeing more atypical, severe symptoms in patients with syphilis

Physicians are increasingly seeing cases of syphilis that do not present with typical symptoms, such as rash or skin ulcers, according to a new report presented last week at the 2024 Epidemic Intelligence Service Conference in Atlanta.

Does social media rewire kids' brains?

America's young people face a mental health crisis, and adults constantly debate how much to blame phones and social media. A new round of conversation has been spurred by Jonathan Haidt's book "The Anxious Generation," which contends that rising mental health issues in children and adolescents are the result of social media replacing key experiences during formative years of brain development.

One in four US women will have an abortion in their lifetime

As the battle over abortion continues to rage in the courts and American politics, a new report estimates that one in every four U.S. women will undergo the procedure during their lifetime.

Staying fit boosts kids' mental health

The benefits of physical fitness for kids spill over into their mental health, new research shows.

Ghosted, orbited, breadcrumbed? A psychotherapist breaks down some perils of digital dating and how to cope

Buzzwords describing the digital dating scene are all over social media. Have you been ghosted? Is someone orbiting you? Are you being breadcrumbed? While these dating patterns may not be new, the words to describe them continue to evolve.

Semaglutide alleviates metabolic-linked liver disease in people with HIV

For people with HIV (PWH), semaglutide is effective for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), according to a research letter published online April 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccine does not increase new-onset seizure risk

There is no risk for new-onset seizure incidence for individuals receiving a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine versus placebo, according to a review published online April 29 in JAMA Neurology.

Survival gains seen with assignment to experimental group in cancer trials

For patients with solid tumors, assignment to an experimental group in trials of investigational drugs yields significant survival gains, according to a review published online April 30 in the Annuals of Internal Medicine.

What your feet can tell you about your health

From skin to hair, scabs and even tears, the external appearance of the body can offer clues about the state of your health.

All women need mammograms beginning at age 40, expert panel says

All women should start getting mammograms every other year beginning at age 40, the nation's top panel of preventive health experts announced Tuesday.

Almost half of people with common heart arrhythmia die within ten years of hospitalization, study finds

Of patients admitted to hospital for atrial fibrillation (AF) in Australia and New Zealand, 45% die within a decade, according to University of Queensland research.

Development in cancer treatment focuses on re-educating cells to combat resistance

In a development in cancer research, scientists are exploring new therapeutic strategies that move beyond traditional cytotoxic treatments, which have historically targeted uncontrolled cell proliferation.

Study finds Bcl6 protein is an important transcription factor for formation of certain dendritic cells

While previous studies have investigated the function of the protein Bcl6 in dendritic cells—in some cases with varying results—a new study published in Nature Communications has sought to harmonize the sometimes contradictory data with an in-depth analysis.

Omega-6 fatty acids could cut risk of bipolar disorder, study suggests

Omega-6 fatty acids, commonly found in eggs, poultry, and seafood, could reduce the risk of bipolar disorder, according to a study from the University of South Australia published in the journal Biological Psychiatry.

Digital playtime can be good for children's well-being, finds new report

New research from UNICEF Innocenti, produced in partnership with the University of Sheffield, New York University, City University New York and the Queensland University of Technology, explores the question of whether video games can contribute to the well-being of children, and if so, how? This research looked to the voices of the young, based on the scientific study of hundreds of children in six countries over many months.

Early gestational diabetes treatment shown to reduce birth complications, health costs for those at higher risk

New research led by Western Sydney University has shown that treatment of gestational diabetes from early pregnancy can not only reduce birth complications among babies and mothers, but can also reduce health costs by up to 10%.

Visa rules jeopardize HIV management, study finds

A Monash University sexual health expert has warned that an unintended consequence of Australia's migration rules could compromise Australia's goal to end the HIV epidemic by 2030.

Study launched to investigate ACL injuries in women's football

A groundbreaking project was launched Tuesday in the English Women's Super League to study anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention.

WHO says US keeping them updated on bird flu outbreak

The WHO said Tuesday it was being frequently updated by Washington about the bird flu outbreak in the United States—the only country so far where dairy cows have been infected.

EU drug watchdog urges COVID-19 vaccine update

The EU's drug watchdog urged Tuesday that anti-COVID jabs be updated before another round of vaccinations to counter a new variant of the virus, which is still claiming thousands of lives.

Unlocking the immune system: cGAS-STING pathway offers new hope for cancer treatment

Cancer immunotherapy, which leverages the body's immune system to target tumors, has emerged as a pivotal strategy in oncology. This paradigm shift from conventional treatments offers a more precise method to neutralize cancer cells. The cGAS-STING signaling pathway, a key element of the innate immune response, has risen as a promising avenue to amplify this therapeutic approach.

A unique screening tool for clinicians to efficiently assess patient dietary patterns

The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) has developed a clinical tool to help health care professionals incorporate a food as medicine approach into their practice by assessing and tracking the proportion of whole, unrefined plant-based foods and water intake in their patients' dietary patterns.

COVID-19-induced financial hardships reveal mental health struggles

When COVID-19 caused significant economic disruptions, thousands of people around the world experienced sudden shocks to their financial situation through reduced earnings or job losses.

Study shows social connection is key for youth suicide prevention efforts

Social connectedness, a feeling of belonging at school and in the community, can play an important role in suicide prevention among high-risk teens, new research from the University of Oregon finds.

Childcare pick-up: A one-hour window to build healthier eating habits

Millions of working parents know the routine: bustle the kids off to childcare in the morning, work all day, then fight the daily traffic jams to get the kids back home. Something to drink, maybe a snack to munch, can help ease the commute.

Researchers explore tensions between hopes, expectations in vocational planning for autistic young adults

With graduation season around the corner, many autistic high school and college seniors may feel a unique tension between their hopes (what is possible) and their expectations (what is probable) when it comes to their future careers.

New treatment strategy could bring children with pneumonia home from hospital earlier

Children who are recovering from severe pneumonia could safely switch from injectable to oral antibiotics earlier, allowing them to come home from hospital sooner. This is according to new results from the PediCAP clinical trial, presented April 29 at the ESCMID Global conference in Barcelona.

New findings better elucidate TRAF7 syndrome, a neurological and developmental disease

TRAF7 syndrome, or CAFDADD syndrome, is a neurological and developmental disease that causes a wide variety of clinical manifestations, such as cardiac, facial and digital abnormalities and developmental delay.

Exercise programs benefit a wide range of long-term health conditions, finds health data analysis

A new study looking at health data from the last 20 years has highlighted the benefits of exercise programs for individuals living with long-term health conditions.

People who inject drugs are transitioning to smoking them

Researchers from the University of California San Diego have revealed new trends in drug consumption that shed light on how people are adapting to the evolving risks associated with unregulated drug use in the United States. The findings could help policymakers and public health officials better tailor interventions to meet the needs of vulnerable populations and reduce the public health burden of substance-related harm.

New guidelines shape the future of neuroendocrine tumor management

Newly updated guidelines on neuroendocrine tumors developed by an expert at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and collaborators provide clinicians with the latest recommendations for staging and management of these rare but increasingly diagnosed tumors.

Researcher explores how air pollution affects the body during exercise

A new review explores the interaction between exercise and air pollution exposure to determine how a person's physiology reacts—and in some cases, acclimates—to environmental pollutants. The review is published in Physiological Reports.

Bullying may affect dental health, say researchers

Young people who have adverse childhood experiences are at greater risk of poor dental health. This is important knowledge for dental health services, according to new research published in BMC Oral Health.

Web-based mindfulness intervention improves memory and attention in the elderly, finds study

A research team assessed both short and long-term cognitive, psychological and physiological outcomes of an adapted eight-week mindfulness-based intervention in a group of healthy older adults. The findings, published in BMC Geriatrics, indicated that the participants improved in several domains, including verbal memory, attention switching and executive functions.

Oral fungal infection treatment shows promise in preclinical trials

A novel oral amphotericin B (MAT2203) developed by Matinas BioPharma for treatment of invasive mucormycosis (IM) and other deadly invasive fungal infections, has demonstrated encouraging results in a series of preclinical studies. The research, led by Lundquist Institute (TLI) Investigator Ashraf Ibrahim, Ph.D., has been published in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

New gene signature could transform immunotherapy for gastrointestinal cancers

Despite significant progress in treating gastrointestinal (GI) cancers through surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy, the objective response rate (ORR) for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy remains low. Common biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI) often lack predictive precision or are applicable to only a small subset of patients.

Low oxygen during sleep and sleep apnea linked to epilepsy in older adults

Sleep apnea and low oxygen levels while sleeping are associated with epilepsy that first occurs after 60 years of age, known as late-onset epilepsy, according to a new study published in Sleep.

Researchers develop genetic test for early detection of high cardiovascular risk

Clonal hematopoiesis is a phenomenon caused by mutations in hematopoietic stem cells and can lead to blood cancer. We now know that it occurs also in people with normal blood counts, where it is associated with an increased risk of life-threatening atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Study finds targeting BET and OXPHOS causes synthetic lethality in liver cancer

Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the major type of liver cancer, is a leading cause of worldwide cancer-related death. End-stage liver cancer patients have limited treatment options due to the lack of druggable targets, and the treatment outcome is usually complicated by the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment.

Study assesses health care providers' knowledge, attitudes, perception regarding Halal pharmaceuticals

The way religious beliefs and medical treatments intersect can really affect how people use medications and stick to their treatment plans. Lately, there's been talk about "Halal pharmaceuticals," which are drugs made to fit with Islamic beliefs. But a lot of health care providers in places like the Middle East don't know much about what goes into these drugs or how they're made.

Study gauges effectiveness of COVID-19 burden mitigation policies

In a new study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers have created a dataset and data visualization dashboard to evaluate the effectiveness of state and territory-level policies enacted to reduce the severity of COVID-19's impact on older people served by home health care agencies and nursing homes.

To stop fentanyl deaths in Philadelphia, knocking on doors and handing out overdose kits

On a narrow street lined with row houses and an auto body shop in the Kensington neighborhood of North Philadelphia, Marsella Elie climbs a home's front steps and knocks hard on the door.

Why do we need to eat so many vegetables, and what does a serving actually look like?

Most Australian adults would know they're meant to eat two or more servings of fruit and five or more servings of vegetables every day. Whether or not they get there is another question.

What Florida's new 6-week abortion ban means for the South, and traveling patients

A Tennessee mother, Monica Kelly, was around 13 weeks pregnant when, according to a lawsuit filed against the state of Tennessee, doctors gave her the devastating news that her baby had Patau syndrome.

California strikes deal for cheaper overdose-reversing medication

California struck up a new deal with Amneal Pharmaceuticals on April 29 to bolster the state's supply of the opioid overdose-reversing medication naloxone at a much lower price for schools, police departments and others trying to ease the toll of fentanyl.

Treatment and research of glioblastoma

Considered the most aggressive type of brain cancer, glioblastoma grows rapidly, destroying healthy tissue. Globally, approximately 300,000 people are diagnosed each year with glioblastoma.

Walmart to close its 51 health centers and virtual care service

Walmart is closing its health centers and virtual care service after struggling to find success with the offerings, the U.S. retailer said Tuesday.

Q&A: Student develops website to help Canadians choose the right type of abortion

Deciding to have an abortion is a deeply personal choice, and so is what comes next: determining the type of abortion that's best for you.

UK survey finds 65% of adults are worried about access to palliative care

A survey commissioned by King's College London, and carried out by YouGov, has found that 65% of people across the U.K. are worried about access to palliative and end of life care, and 41% think there is too little NHS resource allocated to palliative care.

Research reports on senescent characteristics of human corneal endothelial cells upon UV-A exposure

A new research paper titled "Senescent characteristics of human corneal endothelial cells upon ultraviolet-A exposure" has been published on the cover of Aging.

New clinical practice guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for age-related hearing loss

The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) has published "Clinical Practice Guideline: Age-Related Hearing Loss" in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. This clinical practice guideline (CPG) sheds lights on a global public health problem affecting approximately 466 million people worldwide and identifies quality improvement opportunities and provide clinicians trustworthy, evidence-based recommendations regarding the identification and management of age-related hearing loss (ARHL) in patients 50 years and older.

Research reveals the importance of phytocompounds and metabolomics analysis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common chronic gastrointestinal disorder and current treatment strategies can cause adverse effects. Thus, there is a need to identify alternative compounds to treat IBD. Similarly, the dose-related toxicity and efficacy of anticancer drugs needs to be monitored accurately to improve the treatment outcomes.

Q&A: Does specializing in one sport do children more harm than good?

If you're preparing to register your child for summer sports camps and fall, team sports, Nirav Pandya, MD, orthopedic surgeon at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, has some suggestions for how to help your kids avoid common repetitive injuries. Kids who play a variety of sports, rather than specializing in one, at a young age tend to experience fewer injuries overall on average, Pandya says. That's because specializing in a single sport when kids are young comes with risks.

Undergraduate student links worm behavior to brain disease

As an undergraduate student in The University of Texas at Arlington's Honors College, Hannah Selvarathinam knew she wanted to conduct research. Near the end of her first year at UTA, the Keller native reached out to the lab of biology Assistant Professor Piya Ghose.

Protective effects of cyclosporine and NIM-811 in murine hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury

During hepatic surgery or liver transplantation, the liver is vulnerable to ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), especially when vessels are compressed to control bleeding or during periods of ischemia. The hallmark of IRI is mitochondrial dysfunction, which generates reactive oxygen species, and cell death through necrosis or apoptosis.

Other Sciences news

Too many vehicles, slow reactions and reckless merging: New math model explains how traffic and bacteria move

What do the flow of cars on a highway and the movement of bacteria towards a food source have in common? In both cases, annoying traffic jams can form. Especially for cars, we might want to understand how to avoid them, but perhaps we've never thought of turning to statistical physics.

Researchers disprove current thinking on how to achieve global collaboration

The world's most pressing issues such as climate change will only be solved through global cooperation. New research by academics at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, however, has identified a fundamental flaw in the theory that underpins much of today's thinking around how to create the lasting and meaningful large-scale change needed to solve these issues.

Archaeology team discovers a 7,000-year-old settlement in Serbia

Together with cooperation partners from the Museum of Vojvodina in Novi Sad (Serbia), the National Museum Zrenjanin and the National Museum Pančevo, a team from the ROOTS Cluster of Excellence has discovered a previously unknown Late Neolithic settlement near the Tamiš River in Northeast Serbia.

Scientists show that ancient village adapted to drought, rising seas

Around 6,200 BCE, the climate changed. Global temperatures dropped, sea levels rose and the southern Levant, including modern-day Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Lebanon, southern Syria and the Sinai desert, entered a period of drought.

Teens see social media algorithms as accurate reflections of themselves, study finds

Social media apps regularly present teens with algorithmically selected content often described as "for you," suggesting, by implication, that the curated content is not just "for you" but also "about you"—a mirror reflecting important signals about the person you are.

How famines are formed: In Gaza and elsewhere, an underlying pattern that can lead to hunger and death

The United Nations' latest report on hunger makes for grim reading. On April 24, 2024, the international body released its annual Global Report on Food Crises, showing that 281.6 million people faced acute hunger in 2023.

Greater Detroit is more diverse and less segregated, but Asians and Hispanics increasingly live separately

The Detroit metropolitan area is one of the most segregated areas in the United States.

Study shows how AI can be a 'crystal ball' for businesses to stay afloat

Businesses unsure how to survive the next global tragedy should have no fear, with a new study showing how artificial intelligence (AI) can help organizations stay afloat in rapidly changing times.

Study finds labor market support for transgender people is lower than for other sexual minorities

In 2020, the United States Supreme Court ruled in "Bostock vs. Clayton County" that transgender people are legally protected from employment discrimination. This came at a time of increased visibility, but also of legal and social challenges to the rights of transgender individuals. Meanwhile, there has been very little study of labor market discrimination against them.

Study: Racial bias is no 'false alarm' in policing

Black drivers are more frequently searched during traffic stops without finding contraband than white drivers, according to a University of Michigan study.

Research reveals overlooked factor driving China's real estate crisis

The default of Evergrande, one of China's largest developers, set off a chain of defaults among developers, triggering the ongoing property market crisis in China.

Immunizing consumers against bad news can protect brands, says study

Abercrombie & Fitch. Balenciaga. Starbucks. In recent years, these brands and many others have faced extreme public backlash due to insensitive comments from executives, changes to loyalty programs, controversial advertising decisions, and more.

Should online educational platforms offer courses following a schedule or release them on demand?

Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pennsylvania have published a new Journal of Marketing study that examines online educational platforms and the question of whether they should release content through a scheduled format that resembles a traditional university course or use an on-demand release strategy.

The academic sleuth facing death threats and ingratitude

Lonni Besançon devotes evenings and weekends to rarely appreciated sanitation work. By examining scientific articles after they are published and exposing shortcomings, he has made himself an enemy of both researchers and publishers. It has gone so far that death threats have become commonplace for him.

New research captures 18 years of US anti-bullying legislation

Between 1999 and 2017, every state has passed a law addressing bullying, and 90% of those states amended or updated their laws, according to research that analyzes the most comprehensive legal data on anti-bullying laws to date.

Chinese scientist who first published COVID sequence stages protest after being locked out of lab

The first scientist to publish a sequence of the COVID-19 virus in China staged a sit-in protest outside his lab after authorities locked him out of the facility—a sign of the Beijing's continuing pressure on scientists conducting research on the coronavirus.

Significant differences among nordic regions during the Bronze Age

The Scandinavian Bronze Age—despite a unifying material culture—was complex with constantly changing networks involving both competitors and collaborators. In a new book by archaeologists from the University of Gothenburg and the University of Oslo, the Bronze Age in the north is explored through a broad spectrum of topics such as domestic and political economies, trade, warfare, alliance-building, and maritime technology.

The impact of sexual abuse in regional Victoria

La Trobe University, in partnership with the Center Against Sexual Violence Central Victoria (CASA-CV), has released the findings of an important study published in the Australian Journal of Social Issues highlighting the struggles of rural and regional victim survivors in the pursuit of justice.

One in seven Australian adults admits to workplace technology-facilitated sexual harassment, new study finds

The first national study to investigate workplace technology-facilitated sexual harassment (WTFSH) has revealed 1 in 7 Australian adults surveyed admit to engaging in this form of sexual harassment at work.


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