Depression and anxiety spiked in pregnant women during COVID-19 pandemic, research shows

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a spike in depression and anxiety in expectant mums, a new study has revealed. There was an increase in reported depression rates of 30 per cent from pre-pandemic levels, from 17 per cent to 47 per cent -- with anxiety rates also jumping up 37 per cent in expecting mothers to 60 per cent.

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Researchers use mobile device data to predict COVID-19 outbreaks

Researchers were able to accurately predict outbreaks of COVID-19 in Connecticut municipalities using anonymous location information from mobile devices, according to a new study. The novel analysis applied in the study could help health officials stem community outbreaks of COVID-19 and allocate testing resources more efficiently, the researchers said.

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Topology at the corner of the dining table

A research team has discovered an unusual topological aspect of sodium chloride, commonly known as table salt, which will not only facilitate the understanding of the mechanism behind salt's dissolution and formation, but may also pave the way for the future design of nanoscale conducting quantum wires.

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Mechanical basis for abdominal aortic aneurysm

Researchers have demonstrated mechanobiological changes in vascular smooth muscle cells and identified a key ion channel that is involved in the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

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To keep or not to keep those New Year’s resolutions?

New research suggests that people may not always want help with sticking to their New Year's resolutions. Individuals often make resolutions in January to maintain healthy lifestyle regimes - for example to eat better or exercise more often - then fail to keep them. Behavioural scientists frequently interpret such behaviour as evidence of a conflict between two 'selves' of a person -- a Planner (in charge of self-control) and a Doer (who responds spontaneously to the temptations of the moment). A team of researchers from the Universities of East Anglia (UEA), Warwick, Cardiff and Lancaster in the UK and Passau in Germany investigated how far people identify with their Planners and their Doers.

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Small group of genetic variants found in extremely ill patients with COVID may help explain big differences in how sick people get

The search to better understand the tremendous range of responses to infection with the COVID-19 virus -- from symptom free to critically ill -- has uncovered in some of the sickest patients a handful of rare structural gene variants involved in body processes, like inflammation, which the virus needs to be successful.

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Mechanical basis for abdominal aortic aneurysm

Researchers have demonstrated mechanobiological changes in vascular smooth muscle cells and identified a key ion channel that is involved in the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

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Thawing permafrost can accelerate global warming

Thawing permafrost in the Arctic could be emitting greenhouse gases from previously unaccounted-for carbon stocks, fuelling global warming. In the Siberian Arctic, the research team determined the origin of carbon dioxide released from permafrost that is thousands of years old.

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Researchers discover how lactic acid weakens anti-tumor defenses

It has long been known that lactic acid is produced in large quantities by cancer cells and that this lactic acid disrupts our defense against tumors. However, scientists did not know exactly how this happens. Now researchers report they have found the answer.

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Researchers discover how lactic acid weakens anti-tumor defenses

It has long been known that lactic acid is produced in large quantities by cancer cells and that this lactic acid disrupts our defense against tumors. However, scientists did not know exactly how this happens. Now researchers report they have found the answer.

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Human disturbance is the most crucial factor for lynx in habitat selection

Habitat selection in wildlife is a process that occurs at different scales: Balancing advantages, such as high abundance of food, with disadvantages, such as human disturbance. Large predators, with their large spatial requirements, are particularly sensitive to these disturbances.

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Blocking sphingolipids counteracts muscular dystrophy

Scientists have made a link between muscular dystrophy and a group of bioactive fats, the sphingolipids, which are involved in numerous cell functions and other diseases.

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Artificial muscles made of proteins

A research team has developed a material made of natural proteins that contracts autonomously.

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Post-mortem interval of human skeletal remains accurately determined by means of non-destructive techniques

A new study has determined the post-mortem interval of human skeletal remains using real samples, which has been made possible by the combination of two non-destructive analytical tools: Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics. This opens up new avenues for dating in the field of forensic medicine and anthropology.

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Txikispora philomaios, a parasite that will help to explain the origin of animal multicellularity

Researchers have discovered a parasite present in seawater and which belongs to a primitive lineage; they have named it Txikispora philomaios. This organism will help to explain how multicellularity developed in animals.

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Post-mortem interval of human skeletal remains accurately determined by means of non-destructive techniques

A new study has determined the post-mortem interval of human skeletal remains using real samples, which has been made possible by the combination of two non-destructive analytical tools: Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics. This opens up new avenues for dating in the field of forensic medicine and anthropology.

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Solving a superconducting mystery with more precise computations

A new, more precise method of simulating quantum materials has revealed the basis for superconductivity in copper-based oxides known as cuprates. Researchers, using powerful supercomputers, found that phonons, vibrational energy from crystal structure, contribute to a key feature observed in cuprates, which may indicate their indispensable contribution to superconductivity. If true, the finding may pave the way for tunable superconductivity in materials.

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Researchers identify osteoarthritis ‘pain pathway’

Researchers have discovered that a particular molecular signaling pathway plays an important role in producing osteoarthritis (OA) pain. Using a mouse model of painful osteoarthritis, they show that blocking this signaling pathway eliminates pain and results in a return to normal limb use. This work is the first to find an association between this pathway and OA pain, and could lead to the development of new, effective pain treatments for human OA sufferers.

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In search of (un)desired side effects

Pharmaceutical researchers speak of a hit when they come across a promising substance with a desired effect in early drug discovery. Unfortunately, hits are rarely bull's-eyes, often showing undesirable side effects that not only complicate the search for new hits, but also the subsequent development into a drug. A new study could now help to better identify one of the most frequently observed side effects already in early drug discovery, but also to find new bioactivities.

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Meat, MS and the microbiome

Eating more meat, having less of certain bacteria in the gut, and more of certain immune cells in the blood, all link with multiple sclerosis, reports a team of researchers. The work teased out subtle connections that could lead to a better understanding of the causes of the disease.

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Pulse oximeter measurements of blood oxygen levels are unreliable in assessing severity of COVID-19 pneumonia across different ethnic groups, study finds

The severity of COVID-19 pneumonia can be difficult to assess in people from different ethnic groups, due to inaccurate readings from a device that measures the level of oxygen in the blood of patients, a new study has found.

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Microbiome of mother's vagina may affect infant mortality risk and baby's development, study in mice shows

A new study in mice showed that an unhealthy vaginal microbiome in pregnant mothers in combination with an unhealthy diet contributed to increased pup deaths and altered development in the surviving babies. The findings suggest that changes in a mother's diet, such as more fruits and vegetables, may counteract unhealthy microbiome effects in disadvantaged groups.

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Researchers identify a new protein that enables SARS-CoV-2 access into cells

Researchers have identified extracellular vimentin as an attachment factor that facilitates SARS-CoV-2 entry into human cells. Vimentin is a structural protein that is widely expressed in the cells of mesenchymal origin such as endothelial cells and a potential novel target against SARS-CoV-2, which could block the infection of the SARS-CoV-2.

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Cleaning your car may not protect you from this carcinogen, study finds

It is unlikely that a cancer-causing chemical inside your car, TDCIPP, can be dusted or wiped way, according to new research.

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Genes newly linked to longer human lifespan

A group of genes that play an essential role in building components of our cells can also impact human lifespan, finds a new study.

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Genes newly linked to longer human lifespan

A group of genes that play an essential role in building components of our cells can also impact human lifespan, finds a new study.

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Quantum computing: Vibrating atoms make robust qubits, physicists find

Physicists have discovered a new quantum bit, or 'qubit,' in the form of vibrating pairs of atoms known as fermions. The new qubit appears to be extremely robust, able to maintain superposition between two vibrational states, even in the midst of environmental noise, for up to 10 seconds, offering a possible foundation for future quantum computers.

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How to ruin the taste of a cookie with just two words

A rose by any other name may smell as sweet, but a chocolate chip cookie labeled 'consumer complaint' won't taste as good as the exact same product described as 'new and improved,' a new study suggests.

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How to ruin the taste of a cookie with just two words

A rose by any other name may smell as sweet, but a chocolate chip cookie labeled 'consumer complaint' won't taste as good as the exact same product described as 'new and improved,' a new study suggests.

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Study reveals fourfold range in rates of mental health problems among US children based on relational and social risks

The analysis, based on 2016-2019 data survey responses covering nearly 132,000 children ages 3 to 17, examined the complex interplay between common mental health problems among children, social and relational health risks, and protective factors.

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Ultrasound technique predicts hip dysplasia in infants

A technique that uses ultrasound images to determine the depth and shape of the hip socket can accurately predict which infants with hip dysplasia will develop normal hip structure and which remain dysplastic, according to a new study. Researchers said statistical shape modeling improves on existing techniques and could spare many infants from unnecessary treatment.

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New study suggests two paths toward 'super immunity' to COVID-19

New laboratory research reveals more than one path toward robust immunity from COVID-19. A new study finds that two forms of immunity -- breakthrough infections following vaccination or natural infection followed by vaccination -- provide roughly equal levels of enhanced immune protection. The research follows an earlier study that described extremely high levels of immune response following breakthrough infections -- so-called 'super immunity.' That study was the first to use multiple live SARS-CoV-2 variants to measure cross-neutralization of blood serum from breakthrough cases.

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New study suggests two paths toward 'super immunity' to COVID-19

New laboratory research reveals more than one path toward robust immunity from COVID-19. A new study finds that two forms of immunity -- breakthrough infections following vaccination or natural infection followed by vaccination -- provide roughly equal levels of enhanced immune protection. The research follows an earlier study that described extremely high levels of immune response following breakthrough infections -- so-called 'super immunity.' That study was the first to use multiple live SARS-CoV-2 variants to measure cross-neutralization of blood serum from breakthrough cases.

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Scientists observe record high hydride ion conductivity using modified lanthanum trihydride

Lanthanum trihydride, a compound of lanthanum and hydrogen, when lightly doped with oxygen shows potential as an efficient hydrogen carrier, according to a new study. Hydride ion (H--) conductors are expected to be used in chemical reactors and energy storage systems. However, the low H-- conductivity at room temperature introduces certain technical limitations. These limitations may now be overcome with this latest innovation by the researchers.

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SARS-CoV-2: New insights into antibody response against viral variants

Researchers present new findings on the immune response against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Their study is based on investigations of antibodies elicited by infection with the Beta variant of the virus. The researchers conclude that the Beta variant can confer broad immunity to multiple viral strains, which could be beneficial for protection against the currently prevalent Delta and Omicron variants, as well as against future viral variants.

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SARS-CoV-2: New insights into antibody response against viral variants

Researchers present new findings on the immune response against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Their study is based on investigations of antibodies elicited by infection with the Beta variant of the virus. The researchers conclude that the Beta variant can confer broad immunity to multiple viral strains, which could be beneficial for protection against the currently prevalent Delta and Omicron variants, as well as against future viral variants.

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My heart will go on: Patient-derived heart cells mimic disease in vitro

Researchers have found that induced pluripotent stem cell--derived cardiomyocytes from a patient with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy recapitulate the reduced contractility and impaired desmosome assembly associated with this disease, providing a rapid and convenient platform for developing new treatments such as gene replacement therapy.

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Social media use tied to poor physical health

Social media use has been linked to biological and psychological indicators associated with poor physical health among college students, according to new results. Research participants who used social media excessively were found to have higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a biological marker of chronic inflammation that predicts serious illnesses, such as diabetes, certain cancers and cardiovascular disease. In addition to elevated CRP levels, results suggest higher social media use was also related to somatic symptoms, like headaches, chest and back pains, and more frequent visits to doctors and health centers for the treatment of illness.

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Preoperative shear wave elastography helps predict rotator cuff repair, study finds

Preoperative shear wave elastography (SWE) can play a complementary role with existing imaging as a prognostic marker for achieving successful rotator cuff repair, according to new research.

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Living environment affects child’s weight development from birth to school age

A new study shows that living in asocioeconomic disadvantaged neighborhood is a risk factor for adverse weight development in children under school age. Researchers studied the connection between neighborhoods' socioeconomic status and children's weight development from data covering over 11,000 Finnish children.

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Breathing: The master clock of the sleeping brain

Neuroscientists have shown that breathing coordinates neuronal activity throughout the brain during sleep and quiet.

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Transparency in butterflies, from A-Z: It’s more of a superpower than we thought

Wing transparency as a flexible weapon for self-defense is one of many findings from a multi-year study spanning the physics, biology, ecology, and evolution of transparency in butterflies conducted by several groups.

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Feelings of fatigue predict early death in older adults

How fatigued certain activities make an older person feel can predict the likelihood death is less than three years away. Researchers show that perceived physical fatigability is an indicator of earlier mortality.

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Feelings of fatigue predict early death in older adults

How fatigued certain activities make an older person feel can predict the likelihood death is less than three years away. Researchers show that perceived physical fatigability is an indicator of earlier mortality.

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Study identifies mutations specific to Omicron variant

Researchers have identified the highly prevalent, specific mutations that are causing the Omicron variant's high rate of infection. The findings help explain how the new variant can escape pre-existing antibodies present in the human body, either from vaccination or naturally from a recent COVID-19 infection.

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COVID virus linked with headaches, altered mental status in hospitalized kids

Of hospitalized children who tested or were presumed positive for SARS-CoV-2, 44 percent developed neurological symptoms, and these kids were more likely to require intensive care than their peers who didn't experience such symptoms, according to a new study.

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In visual memory, size matters

New research shows that in natural vision, visual memory of images is affected by the size of the image on the retina. The findings can have many implications, including on the use of different types of electronic screens and the quality of information processing when we rely on large vs. small screens.

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Researchers highlight COVID-19 neurological symptoms and need for rigorous studies

In a new article, experts highlight what is currently known about the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the brain, the importance of increased research into the underlying causes of Long COVID and possible ways to treat its symptoms.

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Research finds patients and providers differ in opinions about immediate access to medical records

A recent study found that about 63% of clinicians surveyed agree that immediate release of electronic medical records is more confusing than helpful to patients.

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In Science, small groups create big ideas

To understand the dynamics of emerging topics in science and medicine, researchers looked at researcher participation in articles containing emerging keywords over 50 years. They found that although more human resources are needed for publication, large research groups less frequently generate emerging topics. Moreover, expertise in certain topics has become important for generating emerging topics, and researchers who generate emerging topics now tend to remain in that field.

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Researchers highlight COVID-19 neurological symptoms and need for rigorous studies

In a new article, experts highlight what is currently known about the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the brain, the importance of increased research into the underlying causes of Long COVID and possible ways to treat its symptoms.

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Form fit: Device wraps around hot surfaces, turns wasted heat to electricity

The energy systems that power our lives also produce wasted heat -- like heat that radiates off hot water pipes in buildings and exhaust pipes on vehicles. A new flexible thermoelectric generator can wrap around pipes and other hot surfaces and convert wasted heat into electricity more efficiently than previously possible, according to scientists.

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Breakthrough COVID-19 infections spur strong antibody responses

People vaccinated three times or vaccinated after an earlier COVID-19 infection had comparable neutralizing antibody activity to those with a breakthrough case, according to a new study.

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Harnessing noise in optical computing for AI

A research team has developed an optical computing system for AI and machine learning that not only mitigates the noise inherent to optical computing but actually uses some of it as input to help enhance the creative output of the artificial neural network within the system.

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Reinterpreting our brain's body maps

Our brain maps out our body to facilitate accurate motor control. For a century, the body map has been thought to have applied to all types of motor actions. Now, a research group has revealed that the body relies on multiple maps based on the choice of motor system.

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Balanced diet can mitigate negative impact of pests for bumblebees

Bumblebees are important pollinators because they pollinate many different plant species and are extremely resilient. They can still manage to fly at temperatures that are too cold for other pollinators. Like many other insects, they are in sharp decline. This makes it even more important to find out what bumblebees need to reproduce successfully. A team has shown that a diverse landscape and a diverse pollen diet, which the bumblebees collect as a protein source to nourish their offspring, play a significant role in this. A more diverse diet could even mitigate negative effects of infestation with parasitic wax moth larvae.

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Reinterpreting our brain's body maps

Our brain maps out our body to facilitate accurate motor control. For a century, the body map has been thought to have applied to all types of motor actions. Now, a research group has revealed that the body relies on multiple maps based on the choice of motor system.

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New neutron-based method helps keep underwater pipelines open

Industry and private consumers alike depend on oil and gas pipelines that stretch thousands of kilometers underwater. It is not uncommon for these pipelines to become clogged with deposits. Until now, there have been few means of identifying the formation of plugs in-situ and non-destructively. Measurements now show that neutrons may provide the solution of choice.

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Nano bubbles could treat, prevent current and future strains of SARS-CoV-2

Scientists have identified natural nano-bubbles containing the ACE2 protein (evACE2) in the blood of COVID-19 patients and discovered these nano-sized particles can block infection from broad strains of SARS-CoV-2 virus. The protein acts as a decoy in the body and can serve as a therapeutic to be developed for prevention and treatment for current and future strains of SARS-CoV-2 and future coronaviruses. It could be delivered as a nasal spray.

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Using ice to boil water: Researcher makes heat transfer discovery that expands on 18th century principle

Scientists have made a discovery about the properties of water that could provide an exciting addendum to a phenomenon established over two centuries ago. The discovery also holds interesting possibilities for cooling devices and processes in industrial applications using only the basic properties of water.

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Old neurons can block neurogenesis in mice

Destroying senescent cells in the aging stem cell niche enhances hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function in mice, researchers report.

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Researchers simulate SARS-COV-2 transmission and infection on airline flights

A new study simulated the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, on a flight from London to Hanoi and on another flight from Singapore to Hangzhou.

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Researchers simulate SARS-COV-2 transmission and infection on airline flights

A new study simulated the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, on a flight from London to Hanoi and on another flight from Singapore to Hangzhou.

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COVID-19 vaccine booster provides good antibody protection against Omicron, researchers find

A third 'booster' dose of COVID-19 vaccine successfully raises antibody levels that neutralize the Omicron variant, according to laboratory findings.

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COVID-19 vaccine booster provides good antibody protection against Omicron, researchers find

A third 'booster' dose of COVID-19 vaccine successfully raises antibody levels that neutralize the Omicron variant, according to laboratory findings.

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High protein diet may harm polar bears

A high protein diet appears linked to kidney disease and shortened lifespans for captive polar bears, a relationship similarly suspected in humans. A careful look at what zoos have fed polar bears revealed they mostly offered a diet intended for big cats, containing about 2-3 parts protein to 1-part fat, a reversal from what was observed in the wild.

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Smart windows can significantly reduce indoor pathogens

Daylight passing through smart windows results in almost complete disinfection of surfaces within 24 hours while still blocking harmful ultraviolet (UV) light, according to new research. For this research, she tested four strains of hazardous bacteria -- methicillin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa -- using a mini-living lab set-up. The lab had smart windows, which tint dynamically based on outdoor conditions, and traditional windows with blinds.

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Lockdown drove pollution changes between -- even within -- cities

A new modelling method allows researchers to measure levels of nitrogen dioxide on a finer scale, revealing disparities in exposure during COVID.

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Self-organization of complex structures: A matter of time

Researchers have developed a new strategy for manufacturing nanoscale structures in a time- and resource-efficient manner.

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Children in Sub-Saharan Africa dying of COVID-19 at a higher rate than others, study finds

Children in sub-Saharan Africa who are hospitalized with COVID-19 are dying at a rate far greater than children in the U.S. and Europe, according to a new study.

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Fish study shows role of estrogens in sense of smell

Steroid estrogens play an important role as embryos develop a sense of smell, new research shows. The study, which examined zebrafish embryos, discovered a type of astrocyte glial cell that is new to science, and have been named estrogen responsive olfactory bulb (EROB) cells.

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High protein diet may harm polar bears

A high protein diet appears linked to kidney disease and shortened lifespans for captive polar bears, a relationship similarly suspected in humans. A careful look at what zoos have fed polar bears revealed they mostly offered a diet intended for big cats, containing about 2-3 parts protein to 1-part fat, a reversal from what was observed in the wild.

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Researchers explore ways to make hatchery steelhead more like wild fish

Hatchery-raised steelhead trout have offspring that are good at gaining size under hatchery conditions but don't survive as well in streams as steelhead whose parents are wild fish, new research shows.

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New MRI technique could improve diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis

It is important that multiple sclerosis (MS) is diagnosed and treated as early as possible in order to delay progression of the disease. The technique of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a key role in this process. A new MRI technique could pave the way to quicker assessment of disease activity in MS.

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New MRI technique could improve diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis

It is important that multiple sclerosis (MS) is diagnosed and treated as early as possible in order to delay progression of the disease. The technique of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a key role in this process. A new MRI technique could pave the way to quicker assessment of disease activity in MS.

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Respiratory viruses that hijack immune mechanisms may have Achilles' heel

One viral protein could provide information to deter pneumonia causing the body's exaggerated inflammatory response to respiratory viruses, including the virus that causes COVID-19. That viral protein is NS2 of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and a study has found that if the virus lacks this protein, the human body's immune response can destroy the virus before exaggerated inflammation begins.

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Respiratory viruses that hijack immune mechanisms may have Achilles' heel

One viral protein could provide information to deter pneumonia causing the body's exaggerated inflammatory response to respiratory viruses, including the virus that causes COVID-19. That viral protein is NS2 of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and a study has found that if the virus lacks this protein, the human body's immune response can destroy the virus before exaggerated inflammation begins.

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Celebrated malting barley came from a single plant

The 200-year-old malting barley variety 'Chevalier' was for a long time world-leading in beer brewing and is thought to have originated from a single plant. In a new study, researchers have investigated this claim. They have analyzed seed samples that are older than 150 years using molecular genetic methods. The results give a revealing insight into the plant breeding of times gone by.

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One in ten people may still be infectious for COVID after ten days, new research indicates

One in 10 people may have clinically relevant levels of potentially infectious SARS-CoV-2 past the 10 day quarantine period, according to new research.

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Origin of rare disease FOP rooted in muscle regeneration dysfunction

A mutation in the gene that causes fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) doesn't just cause extra bone growth but is tied to a problem in generating new muscle tissue after injury, according to new research.

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New study shows novel crystal structure for hydrogen under high pressure

Being the first element to form, hydrogen holds clues about the distribution of matter in our universe. Normally a gas, hydrogen exists as a solid under ultra-high-pressure conditions commonly found in the core of giant gaseous planets. However, the structures of solid hydrogen have remained elusive owing to difficulties in replicating such conditions experimentally. Now, a new study sheds light on this aspect using simulations and data science methods.

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The secret to DNA packing to one-millionth its size

A research team succeeds at observing high-resolution 3D structure of human chromosomes using the radiation accelerator.

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COVID variant siblings show different levels of virulence

New research outlines key information about omicron's older variant sibling, alpha, which emerged late in 2020. It turns out that the mutation that birthed alpha in the first place is very similar to the one that created omicron, but with very different results for the severity of each one.

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Mouse study finds age, disease change body temperature rhythms

A new study finds that while young and healthy mice show clear differences between daytime and nighttime body temperature rhythms, in older and diseased animals the difference essentially disappeared.

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Discovery could hold the key to alleviating metabolic disease

A newly characterized fat protein could provide the missing link to explain a rare metabolic disease while offering fresh insight into common disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

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Fuzzy molecular threesome is basis of gene expression

Scientists have investigated how genes are accessed if so tightly packed away? How can these molecules be broken apart to promote gene expression?

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New research advocates a basic strategy for native fish recovery: Access to water

Rivers need water -- a fact that may seem ridiculously obvious, but in times of increasing water development, drought, and climate change, the quantity of natural streamflow that remains in river channels is coming into question, especially in the Colorado River basin. Newly published research poses a tough question in these days of falling reservoir levels and high-stakes urban development: whether the continued development of rivers for water supply can be balanced with fish conservation.

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Unexpected insight of lymphatic vessels in the heart

Researchers identified a protein called VE-cadherin as a key factor in the maintenance of lymphatic vessels serving the heart. Deleting VE-cadherin from the lymphatic vessels in newborn and adult lab mice caused the lymphatic vessels in the heart to regress and eventually disappear.

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Mouse study finds age, disease change body temperature rhythms

A new study finds that while young and healthy mice show clear differences between daytime and nighttime body temperature rhythms, in older and diseased animals the difference essentially disappeared.

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Aphid ‘honeydew’ may promote bacteria that kill them

The word 'honeydew' sounds benign, but the sugary waste product of aphids can promote growth of bacteria that are highly virulent to the pests, according to a new study.

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Protective gene variant against COVID-19 identified

Researchers have identified a specific gene variant that protects against severe COVID-19 infection. The researchers managed to pinpoint the variant by studying people of different ancestries, a feat they say highlights the importance of conducting clinical trials that include people of diverse descents.

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Green-med diet seems to slow age-related neurodegeneration, study finds

A green Mediterranean diet, high in polyphenols and low in red and processed meat, seems to slow age-related brain atrophy, according to a new study. The DIRECT PLUS 18-month long randomized control trial among approximately 300 participants is one of the longest and largest brain MRI trials in the world.

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Green-med diet seems to slow age-related neurodegeneration, study finds

A green Mediterranean diet, high in polyphenols and low in red and processed meat, seems to slow age-related brain atrophy, according to a new study. The DIRECT PLUS 18-month long randomized control trial among approximately 300 participants is one of the longest and largest brain MRI trials in the world.

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Infants with low-risk deliveries should not need antibiotics at birth, study suggests

Infants born via uncomplicated cesarean delivery, without labor or membrane rupture before delivery and no concern for infection, should not need antibiotics at birth, according to a new study. The findings could help clinicians tailor the use of early antibiotics in newborns. Only those deemed at risk for infection should receive antibiotics, thereby reducing unnecessary use.

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Unprecedented cellular maps of tissues enabled by new tool

The study of the human body at single-cell level has received a boost with the creation of a new tool, which will allow researchers to see not only the function of cells, but also where they are situated within tissues. The tool, called cell2location, has been developed by researchers.

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Study shows COVID-19 vaccines offer lasting protection

Despite breakthrough infections, a new study shows a COVID-19 vaccine is effective nine months after the first shot. The findings, based on data on 10.6 million North Carolina residents, support use of boosters to provide ongoing prevention of hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

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Study shows COVID-19 vaccines offer lasting protection

Despite breakthrough infections, a new study shows a COVID-19 vaccine is effective nine months after the first shot. The findings, based on data on 10.6 million North Carolina residents, support use of boosters to provide ongoing prevention of hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

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New study shows the toll industrial farming takes on bird diversity

A new study looking into the impacts that large industrial farming has on biodiversity found that increased farm size causes a decline in bird diversity. Researchers studied how different farming indicators impact the diversity of local birds in the farmland bordering the former Iron Curtain in Germany. They found that increased farm sizes resulted in a 15 per cent decline in bird diversity.

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Stress associated with an increased risk of getting COVID-19, study finds

A new study has found that people who experienced increased stress, anxiety and depression at the start of the pandemic, were at greater risk of getting COVID-19. The research found that greater psychological distress during the early phase of the pandemic was significantly associated with participants later reporting SARS-CoV-2 infection, a greater number of symptoms and also more severe symptoms.

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Stress associated with an increased risk of getting COVID-19, study finds

A new study has found that people who experienced increased stress, anxiety and depression at the start of the pandemic, were at greater risk of getting COVID-19. The research found that greater psychological distress during the early phase of the pandemic was significantly associated with participants later reporting SARS-CoV-2 infection, a greater number of symptoms and also more severe symptoms.

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World's largest fish breeding area discovered in Antarctica

Near the Filchner Ice Shelf in the south of the Antarctic Weddell Sea, a research team has found the world's largest fish breeding area known to date. A towed camera system photographed and filmed thousands of nests of icefish of the species Neopagetopsis ionah on the seabed.

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Stem cell model of albinism to study related eye conditions

Researchers have developed the first patient-derived stem cell model for studying eye conditions related to oculocutaneous albinism (OCA).

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Researchers identify signaling mechanisms in pancreatic cancer cells that could provide treatment targets

Scientists have provided new insights into molecular 'crosstalk' in pancreas cancer cells, identifying vulnerabilities that could provide a target for therapeutic drugs already being studied in several cancers.

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Older adult opioid overdose death rates on the rise

A new study that analyzed 20 years of fatal opioid overdose data in adults 55 and older found that between 1999 and 2019, opioid-related overdose deaths increased exponentially in U.S. adults ages 55 and older, from 518 deaths in 1999 to 10,292 deaths in 2019: a 1,886% increase.

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Researchers develop new method to increase effectiveness of nanomedicines

Researchers have discovered a new, more effective method of preventing the body's own proteins from treating nanomedicines like foreign invaders, by covering the nanoparticles with a coating to suppress the immune response that dampens the therapy's effectiveness.

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Biomass burning increases low clouds over southeastern Asia

Clouds have significant impact on the energy balance of the Earth system. Low clouds such as Stratocumulus, Cumulus and Stratus cover about 30 percent of the Earth surface and have a net cooling effect on our climate. What counteracts global warming, can have economic consequences: a persistently dense and low cloud cover over land can reduce agricultural production and the solar-power generation. Understanding the factors governing low cloud cover is not only important for regional weather forecasting and global climate prediction but also for their socioeconomic effects.

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Overcoming a bottleneck in carbon dioxide conversion

A new study reveals why some attempts to convert carbon dioxide into fuel have failed, and offers possible solutions.

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Obscure protein is spotlighted in fight against leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a cancer of white blood cells. Researchers discovered that AML cancer cells depend on a protein called SCP4 to survive. They think the previously little-known protein is involved in a metabolic pathway the cancer cells need to survive. SCP4 provides researchers with a potential new therapeutic approach for this aggressive cancer.

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Researchers reveal how skin cells form a first line of defense against cancer

A new study reveals important insights into the molecular mechanisms that underpin the body's natural defences against the development of skin cancer. The protein CSDE1 coordinates a complex chain of events that enable senescence in skin cells. The senescent cells act as a firewall against cancer, suppressing the formation of tumours. The findings are surprising because CSDE1 has been previously linked to driving the formation of cancers. The results offer new clues into the behavior of skin cancer at the cellular level, paving the way for potential new therapeutic targets to treat the disease.

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Simple screening for common lung disease could relieve millions globally

The global burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a group of common lung conditions that affects more than 300 million people, could be significantly reduced with a simple health assessment, concludes a large-scale international study.

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Researchers reduce breast cancer metastasis in animal models by modifying tumor electrical properties

Researchers have found that manipulating voltage patterns of tumor cells -- using ion channel blockers already FDA-approved as treatments for other diseases -- can in fact significantly reduce metastasis in animal models of breast cancer.

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Rwandan genocides chemically modified the DNA of victims and victims’ offspring

Scientists have taken a significant step in providing the people of Rwanda the scientific tools they need to help address mental health issues that stemmed from the 1994 genocides of the Tutsi ethnic group.

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Researchers develop new method to increase effectiveness of nanomedicines

Researchers have discovered a new, more effective method of preventing the body's own proteins from treating nanomedicines like foreign invaders, by covering the nanoparticles with a coating to suppress the immune response that dampens the therapy's effectiveness.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/34HWaGV

Obscure protein is spotlighted in fight against leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a cancer of white blood cells. Researchers discovered that AML cancer cells depend on a protein called SCP4 to survive. They think the previously little-known protein is involved in a metabolic pathway the cancer cells need to survive. SCP4 provides researchers with a potential new therapeutic approach for this aggressive cancer.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3zVOso3

Researchers reveal how skin cells form a first line of defense against cancer

A new study reveals important insights into the molecular mechanisms that underpin the body's natural defences against the development of skin cancer. The protein CSDE1 coordinates a complex chain of events that enable senescence in skin cells. The senescent cells act as a firewall against cancer, suppressing the formation of tumours. The findings are surprising because CSDE1 has been previously linked to driving the formation of cancers. The results offer new clues into the behavior of skin cancer at the cellular level, paving the way for potential new therapeutic targets to treat the disease.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3HVRHyF

Simple screening for common lung disease could relieve millions globally

The global burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a group of common lung conditions that affects more than 300 million people, could be significantly reduced with a simple health assessment, concludes a large-scale international study.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3r2YDmA

Low oxygen and sulfide in the oceans played greater role in ancient mass extinction

Researchers have new insight into the complicated puzzle of environmental conditions that characterized the Late Ordovician Mass Extinction (LOME), which killed about 85% of the species in the ocean.

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Researchers reduce breast cancer metastasis in animal models by modifying tumor electrical properties

Researchers have found that manipulating voltage patterns of tumor cells -- using ion channel blockers already FDA-approved as treatments for other diseases -- can in fact significantly reduce metastasis in animal models of breast cancer.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3GqQXkU

Safe drinking water remains out of reach for many Californians

An estimated 370,000 Californians rely on drinking water that may contain high levels of arsenic, nitrate or hexavalent chromium, and contaminated drinking water disproportionately impact communities of color in the state, finds a new analysis. Because this study is limited to three common contaminants, results likely underestimate the actual number of Californians impacted by unsafe drinking water.

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Will this new superpower molecule revolutionize science?

Researchers report the creation of an artificial molecule with superpowers. It has the potential to revolutionize nanotechnology -- and it also explains one of Nature's intriguing enigmas; why do we have a right hand and a left hand? The researchers describe their supermolecule as a marriage between DNA and peptides.

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Pheasants lose their cool after fighting

Pheasants' heads cool rapidly as they prepare to fight -- then heat up afterwards, new research shows.

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Fewer than 1 in 5 adults with Type 2 diabetes in the U.S. are meeting optimal heart health targets

Fewer than 1 in 5 adults with Type 2 diabetes in the U.S. meet suggested targets to reduce elevated heart disease risk. Improving heart health among people with Type 2 diabetes requires incorporating new evidence-based approaches that address social determinants of health and other barriers to effective treatment.

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Cancer therapy using on-site synthesis of anticancer drugs

Researchers have successfully treated cancer in mice using metal catalysts that assemble anticancer drugs together inside the body. This study is the first report of therapeutic in vivo synthetic chemistry being used to make anticancer substances where they are needed simply by injecting their ingredients through a vein. Because this technique avoids indiscriminate tissue damage, it is expected to have a significant impact on cancer treatment.

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Unraveling the complexity of vitamin B12 diseases

Researchers unravel the genetic complexity two rare inherited vitamin B12 conditions identifying them as hybrid syndromes that are both a vitamin B12 disorder and a disease of ribosomes, the protein-building machinery of the cell.

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Medieval warhorses were surprisingly small in stature

Medieval warhorses are often depicted as massive and powerful beasts, but in reality many were no more than pony-sized by modern standards, a new study shows.

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Breakthrough into the cause of male infertility

Scientists have identified a new genetic mechanism that can cause severe forms of male infertility. This breakthrough in understanding the underlying cause of male infertility offers hope of better treatment options for patients in the future.

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Fewer than 1 in 5 adults with Type 2 diabetes in the U.S. are meeting optimal heart health targets

Fewer than 1 in 5 adults with Type 2 diabetes in the U.S. meet suggested targets to reduce elevated heart disease risk. Improving heart health among people with Type 2 diabetes requires incorporating new evidence-based approaches that address social determinants of health and other barriers to effective treatment.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3nfme2r

Cancer therapy using on-site synthesis of anticancer drugs

Researchers have successfully treated cancer in mice using metal catalysts that assemble anticancer drugs together inside the body. This study is the first report of therapeutic in vivo synthetic chemistry being used to make anticancer substances where they are needed simply by injecting their ingredients through a vein. Because this technique avoids indiscriminate tissue damage, it is expected to have a significant impact on cancer treatment.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3q9B0d2

Unraveling the complexity of vitamin B12 diseases

Researchers unravel the genetic complexity two rare inherited vitamin B12 conditions identifying them as hybrid syndromes that are both a vitamin B12 disorder and a disease of ribosomes, the protein-building machinery of the cell.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/33fv7C2

Catalyst surface analysed at atomic resolution

A research team has visualized the three-dimensional structure of the surface of catalyst nanoparticles at atomic resolution. This structure plays a decisive role in the activity and stability of the particles. The detailed insights were achieved with a combination of atom probe tomography, spectroscopy and electron microscopy. Nanoparticle catalysts can be used, for example, in the production of hydrogen for the chemical industry. To optimize the performance of future catalysts, it is essential to understand how it is affected by the three-dimensional structure.

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Breakthrough into the cause of male infertility

Scientists have identified a new genetic mechanism that can cause severe forms of male infertility. This breakthrough in understanding the underlying cause of male infertility offers hope of better treatment options for patients in the future.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3qczzL1

Study sets framework for precision surveillance of colorectal cancer

A team of researchers has revealed some of the mechanisms by which polyps develop into colorectal cancer, setting the framework for improved surveillance for the cancer utilizing precision medicine. Their study describes findings from a single-cell transcriptomic and imaging atlas of the two most common colorectal polyps found in humans: conventional adenomas and serrated polyps.

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Study sets framework for precision surveillance of colorectal cancer

A team of researchers has revealed some of the mechanisms by which polyps develop into colorectal cancer, setting the framework for improved surveillance for the cancer utilizing precision medicine. Their study describes findings from a single-cell transcriptomic and imaging atlas of the two most common colorectal polyps found in humans: conventional adenomas and serrated polyps.

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Novel brainstem circuit gives rise to the rhythms of vocalization

The vocal sounds of humans -- laughing, crying, and the babbling of babies -- have the same rhythmic quality as the sounds made by many mammals, songbirds, and even some species of fish. Researchers have discovered that a small cluster of neurons in the brain stem not only regulates tempo but also coordinates vocalization with breathing.

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Novel brainstem circuit gives rise to the rhythms of vocalization

The vocal sounds of humans -- laughing, crying, and the babbling of babies -- have the same rhythmic quality as the sounds made by many mammals, songbirds, and even some species of fish. Researchers have discovered that a small cluster of neurons in the brain stem not only regulates tempo but also coordinates vocalization with breathing.

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NASA's Webb Telescope reaches major milestone as mirror unfolds

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope team fully deployed its 21-foot, gold-coated primary mirror, successfully completing the final stage of all major spacecraft deployments to prepare for science operations.

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Anxiety and PTSD linked to increased myelin in brain's gray matter

Scientists have shown in both anxious rats and military veterans with PTSD that acute stress is associated with increased myelination of axons in areas of the brain associated with memory and emotions. These areas in the brain's gray matter are normally only lightly myelinated. Since myelin speeds communication in the brain, the increased myelination may be making some neural circuits hyperresponsive to memories of trauma.

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Anxiety and PTSD linked to increased myelin in brain's gray matter

Scientists have shown in both anxious rats and military veterans with PTSD that acute stress is associated with increased myelination of axons in areas of the brain associated with memory and emotions. These areas in the brain's gray matter are normally only lightly myelinated. Since myelin speeds communication in the brain, the increased myelination may be making some neural circuits hyperresponsive to memories of trauma.

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Tangled messages: Tracing neural circuits to chemotherapy's 'constellation of side effects'

Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy can experience severe side effects that persist long after treatments end. A new study has found a novel pathway for understanding why these debilitating conditions happen -- and why scientists should focus on 'all of the possible neural processes that deliver sensory or motor problems to a patient's brain' and not just those that occur away from the center of the body.

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Fully 3D-printed, flexible OLED display

Researchers used a customized printer to fully 3D print a flexible organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display. The discovery could result in low-cost OLED displays in the future that could be widely produced using 3D printers by anyone at home, instead of by technicians in expensive microfabrication facilities.

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Current marsh pollution has dramatic, negative effects on sea anemone’s survival

The starlet sea anemone Nematostella's growth, development, and feeding ability are drastically impacted by present levels of common pollutants found in one of its native habitats, the U.S. East Coast.

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Tangled messages: Tracing neural circuits to chemotherapy's 'constellation of side effects'

Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy can experience severe side effects that persist long after treatments end. A new study has found a novel pathway for understanding why these debilitating conditions happen -- and why scientists should focus on 'all of the possible neural processes that deliver sensory or motor problems to a patient's brain' and not just those that occur away from the center of the body.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3t8782z

Bioenergy sorghum’s roots can replenish carbon in soil

The world faces an increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and a shortage of carbon in the soil. However, bioenergy sorghum can provide meaningful relief from both problems, according to a new study.

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Re-enrolling and completing a bachelor's degree has positive effect on annual income

Returning to college to earn a bachelor's degree leads to both an immediate increase in annual income after graduation and an increase in annual income growth each year after graduation, according to an economics researcher.

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How the brain’s blue spot helps us focus our attention

How can we shift from a state of inattentiveness to one of highest attention? The locus coeruleus, literally the 'blue spot,' is a tiny cluster of cells at the base of the brain. As the main source of the neurotransmitter noradrenaline, it helps us control our attentional focus. Synthesizing evidence from animal and human studies, scientists have now developed a novel framework describing the way the blue spot regulates our brain's sensitivity to relevant information in situations requiring attention.

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Air pollution from wildfires, rising heat affected 68% of US West in one day

Large wildfires and severe heat events are happening more often at the same time, worsening air pollution across the western United States, a study has found. In 2020, more than 68% of the western U.S. -- representing about 43 million people -- were affected in one day by the resulting harmful-levels of air pollution, the highest number in 20 years. The study found that these concurrent air pollution events are increasing not only in frequency but duration and geographic extent across the region. They have become so bad that they have reversed many gains of the Clean Air Act. The conditions that create these episodes are also expected to continue to increase, along with their threats to human health.

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Fossil research affected by significant colonial bias

The fossil record, which documents the history of life on Earth, is heavily biased by influences such as colonialism, history and global economics, palaeontologists argue.

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Tracking down the origin of cholera pandemics

The bacterium Vibrio cholerae is the causative agent of the diarrheal disease cholera and is responsible for seven known pandemics. The seventh cholera pandemic began in 1961 and is still active. Unlike previous pandemics, it is caused by cholera strains of a slightly different type. How did the modified cholera strains develop and spread, and what might have contributed to their success? Scientists have now gained new insights into a molecular mechanism that provides insight into the interactions between cholera bacteria and may have played a role in the emergence of the seventh pandemic.

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Abnormal thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy may increase the risk of preschool boys’ behavioral problems

Thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy may predict preschool boys' emotional and behavioral problems, according to a new study.

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New hope for sight recovery in stroke survivors

Researchers have used MRI imaging to map visual brain activity in stroke survivors with sight loss that gives new hope for rehabilitation and recovery.

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Abnormal thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy may increase the risk of preschool boys’ behavioral problems

Thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy may predict preschool boys' emotional and behavioral problems, according to a new study.

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School closures led to more sleep and better quality of life for adolescents

The school closures in spring 2020 had a negative effect on the health and well-being of many young people. But homeschooling also had a positive flipside: Thanks to sleeping longer in the morning, many teenagers reported improved health and health-related quality of life. The study authors therefore believe school days should begin later in the morning.

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A novel compound might defeat multidrug-resistant bacteria common in hospitals

Increasingly, hospitalized patients contract infections that evade current antibiotics including colistin, long used as a last treatment option. The discovery of a new colistin variant might make it possible to outmaneuver these pathogens.

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Adult epilepsy treatment reduces seizures in children

A surgical treatment commonly used to reduce epileptic seizures in adults also is effective and safe for children, according to a new study. The study is one of the first to investigate responsive neurostimulation system (RNS)--a device similar to a pacemaker that sends electric charges to the heart, which delivers stimulation directly to the brain when needed to prevent seizures--in children.

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Researchers urge: 'Prescribe aspirin based on benefit-to-risk not age'

Recent guidelines have restricted aspirin use in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease to patients under 70, and more recent guidance to patients under 60. Yet, the risks of heart attacks and strokes increase markedly with age. Researchers urge that to do the most good for the most patients in primary prevention of heart attacks and strokes, health care providers should make individual clinical judgements about prescribing aspirin on a case-by-case basis and based on benefit-to-risk not age. They conducted an updated meta-analysis, which adds the results of the four recent trials to the previous comprehensive meta-analysis of six earlier major trials, and aspirin produced a statistically significant 13 percent reduction in cardiovascular disease with similar benefits at older ages in each of the individual trials.

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Deforestation increases risk of flash flooding in fast-growing West African coastal cities

Research has revealed frequent storm activity in coastal areas is a previously unrecognized way in which deforestation can increase flooding. The study found the frequency of thunderstorms in some fast-growing African coastal cities has doubled over the past 30 years, with much of this increase linked to the impact of deforestation on the local climate.

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New target may help protect bones as we age

Drugs we take like prednisone can weaken our bones and so can aging, and scientists working to prevent both have some of the first evidence that the best target may not be the logical one. They are finding that in aging bone, the mineralocorticoid receptor, better known for its role in blood pressure regulation, is a key factor in bone health.

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Adult epilepsy treatment reduces seizures in children

A surgical treatment commonly used to reduce epileptic seizures in adults also is effective and safe for children, according to a new study. The study is one of the first to investigate responsive neurostimulation system (RNS)--a device similar to a pacemaker that sends electric charges to the heart, which delivers stimulation directly to the brain when needed to prevent seizures--in children.

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How oral bacteria suppress protection against viral growth

Researchers have discovered details of how proteins produced by oral epithelial cells protect humans against viruses entering the body through the mouth. They also found that oral bacteria can suppress the activity of these cells, increasing vulnerability to infection.

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Babies born during pandemic's first year score slightly lower on a developmental screening test

Babies born during the pandemic's first year -- even to moms who did not have COVID during pregnancy -- scored lower on a screening test of social and motor skills compared to pre-pandemic babies, according to a new study.

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Mass die-off of Magellanic penguins seen during 2019 heat wave

In 2019, researchers witnessed the consequences of an extreme heat event at Punta Tombo in Argentina, one of the world's largest breeding colonies for Magellanic penguins. On Jan. 19, temperatures at the site spiked in the shade to 44 C, or 111.2 F, killing at least 354 penguins. Nearly three-quarters of the penguins that died were adults, many of which likely died of dehydration, based on postmortem analyses.

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Plasma-based engineering creates contact-killing, antifouling, drug-release surfaces

Conventional wet-chemistry methods used to create biocidal materials are complex, time-consuming, and expensive. Researchers present a tutorial in which they explore a promising alternative called plasma-enabled surface engineering. The technology relies on nonequilibrium plasma that produces chemical reactions to change the properties at the material surface. Reactions can be manipulated by adjusting electric power for surface activation, coating deposition, and surface nanostructuring of virtually any solid material.

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New gene therapy approach offers a potential long-term treatment for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2B

Medical experts have developed a new pre-clinical gene therapy for a rare disorder, known as limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) 2B, that addresses the primary cellular deficit associated with this disease. Using a single injection of a low dose gene therapy vector, researchers restored the ability of injured muscle fibers to repair in a way that reduced muscle degeneration and enhanced the functioning of the diseased muscle. The treatment was safe, attenuated fibro-fatty muscle degeneration, and restored myofiber size and muscle strength, according to a new study.

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New gene therapy approach offers a potential long-term treatment for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2B

Medical experts have developed a new pre-clinical gene therapy for a rare disorder, known as limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) 2B, that addresses the primary cellular deficit associated with this disease. Using a single injection of a low dose gene therapy vector, researchers restored the ability of injured muscle fibers to repair in a way that reduced muscle degeneration and enhanced the functioning of the diseased muscle. The treatment was safe, attenuated fibro-fatty muscle degeneration, and restored myofiber size and muscle strength, according to a new study.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3zsRVKM

Sustainable silk material for biomedical, optical, food supply applications

Researchers discuss the properties of silk and recent and future applications of the material. It has been used in drug delivery and is ideal for wearable and implantable health monitoring sensors. Silk is also useful in optics and electronics and more recently has come to the forefront of sustainability research. The use of silk coatings may also reduce food waste, which is a significant component of the global carbon footprint.

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Predator interactions chiefly determine where Prochlorococcus thrive

Where the microbe Prochlorococcus lives is not determined primarily by temperature, as previously thought. A study finds a relationship with a shared predator actually sets the microbe's range. The findings could help scientists predict how Prochlorococcus populations will shift with climate change.

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Custom finger clip offers a new way to measure blood pressure, other vitals

Monitoring a person's blood pressure on a regular basis can help health care professionals with early detection of various health problems such as high blood pressure, which has no warning signs or symptoms. However, many things can alter an accurate blood pressure reading, including a patient's nervousness about having their blood pressure taken at a doctor's office, otherwise known as 'white coat syndrome.' Now, researchers are customizing a commercial finger clip device to provide a rapid, noninvasive way for measuring and continually monitoring blood pressure. The device can also simultaneously measure four additional vital signs -- heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, body temperature and respiratory rate.

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One autoimmune disease could lead to another

Researchers have discovered that having one kind of autoimmune disease can lead to another.

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Custom finger clip offers a new way to measure blood pressure, other vitals

Monitoring a person's blood pressure on a regular basis can help health care professionals with early detection of various health problems such as high blood pressure, which has no warning signs or symptoms. However, many things can alter an accurate blood pressure reading, including a patient's nervousness about having their blood pressure taken at a doctor's office, otherwise known as 'white coat syndrome.' Now, researchers are customizing a commercial finger clip device to provide a rapid, noninvasive way for measuring and continually monitoring blood pressure. The device can also simultaneously measure four additional vital signs -- heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, body temperature and respiratory rate.

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One autoimmune disease could lead to another

Researchers have discovered that having one kind of autoimmune disease can lead to another.

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More insight into how vision works

Scientists have shed light on an important component of the eye: a protein in the rod cells of the retina which helps us see in dim light. Acting as an ion channel in the cell membrane, the protein is responsible for relaying the optical signal from the eye to the brain. If a genetic disorder disrupts the molecular function in a person, they will go blind. Scientists have deciphered the protein's three-dimensional structure, preparing the way for innovative medical treatments.

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Study finds reduced microbial diversity in guts of wild bears that eat human food

A new study suggests that eating human food reduces microbial diversity in the guts of wild bears.

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Snapshots from the quantum world

A research collaboration can read out optically previously indistinguishable spin states by using a newly developed spectroscopy method.

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3D semiconductor particles offer 2D properties

Researchers have discovered that the junctures at the facet edges of 3D semiconductor particles have 2D properties, which can be leveraged for photoelectrochemical processes -- in which light is used to drive chemical reactions -- that can boost solar energy conversion technologies.

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Lychee genome tells a colorful story about a colorful tropical fruit

Radiant and flavorful, lychees were so beloved that they were domesticated not just once in ancient times, but independently in two different regions of China, a study finds.

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Researchers identify biomarker for depression, antidepressant response

Researchers have identified a biomarker in human platelets that tracks the extent of depression.

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Neuroprotective mechanism altered by Alzheimer's disease risk genes

Researchers have discovered that gene variants associated with risk of developing Alzheimer's disease disturb the brain's natural protective mechanism against the condition.

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COVID-19 patients have severely increased levels of oxidative stress and oxidant damage, and glutathione deficiency, study finds

Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 had significantly increased levels of oxidative stress and oxidant damage, and markedly reduced levels of glutathione, the most abundant physiological antioxidant, according to a new study.

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COVID-19 patients have severely increased levels of oxidative stress and oxidant damage, and glutathione deficiency, study finds

Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 had significantly increased levels of oxidative stress and oxidant damage, and markedly reduced levels of glutathione, the most abundant physiological antioxidant, according to a new study.

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Self-healing nanomaterials usable in solar panels and other electronic devices

The field of self-repairing materials is rapidly expanding, and what used to be science fiction might soon become reality, thanks to scientists who developed eco-friendly nanocrystal semiconductors capable of self-healing. Their findings describe the process, in which a group of materials called double perovskites display self-healing properties after being damaged by the radiation of an electron beam.

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COVID-19 can trigger self-attacking antibodies

Infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 can trigger an immune response that lasts well beyond the initial infection and recovery -- even among people who had mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, according to investigators.

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COVID-19 can trigger self-attacking antibodies

Infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 can trigger an immune response that lasts well beyond the initial infection and recovery -- even among people who had mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, according to investigators.

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