Asteroid Ceres is a former ocean world that slowly formed into a giant, murky icy orb

A crater-rich dwarf planet named Ceres located in the main asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter was long thought to be composed of a materials mixture not dominated by water ice. Researchers at Purdue used data from NASA's Dawn mission to show that Ceres' crust could be over 90 percent ice.

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Babies born after fertility treatment have higher risk of heart defects, study suggests

The risk of being born with a major heart defect is 36% higher in babies who were conceived after assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), according to results of a very large study.

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Babies born after fertility treatment have higher risk of heart defects, study suggests

The risk of being born with a major heart defect is 36% higher in babies who were conceived after assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), according to results of a very large study.

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Building better bone grafts

Each year, about 2.2 million bone-grafting procedures are performed worldwide, the gold standard of care being autografting, which uses the patient's own bone for tooth implantation and to repair and reconstruct parts of the mouth, face and skull.

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In or out of a biological cell: Who transports what here?

Transport proteins are responsible for the ongoing movement of substrates into and out of a biological cell. However, it is difficult to determine which substrates a specific protein can transport. Bioinformaticians have now developed a model -- called SPOT -- which can predict this with a high degree of accuracy using artificial intelligence (AI).

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Building better bone grafts

Each year, about 2.2 million bone-grafting procedures are performed worldwide, the gold standard of care being autografting, which uses the patient's own bone for tooth implantation and to repair and reconstruct parts of the mouth, face and skull.

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Treatment for age- and cancer-related muscle degeneration

With the global population ageing rapidly, sarcopenia, a condition that affects millions of older adults and severely diminishes their quality of life, is emerging as an urgent public health issue. Scientists have now identified a protein that regulates cellular clean-up, could also hold the key to new treatments for age-related muscle loss and muscle wasting in cancer patients, enhancing quality of life.

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When a child hurts, validating their pain may be the best first aid

Researchers say that parents and doctors should be mindful of how they talk to and treat children experiencing pain -- no matter how big or small the injury -- knowing that these foundational experiences can be carried forward into adulthood.

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Growing divide: Rural men are living shorter, less healthy lives than their urban counterparts

With an aging population and fewer physicians available, the burden on rural communities is set to grow.

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AI chatbots rival doctors in accuracy for back pain advice, study finds

A new study reveals that artificial intelligence chatbots, such as ChatGPT, may be almost as effective as consulting a doctor for advice on low back pain.

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Research quantifying 'nociception' could help improve management of surgical pain

New statistical models based on rigorous physiological data from more than 100 surgeries provide objective, accurate measures of 'nociception,' the body's subconscious perception of pain.

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Research quantifying 'nociception' could help improve management of surgical pain

New statistical models based on rigorous physiological data from more than 100 surgeries provide objective, accurate measures of 'nociception,' the body's subconscious perception of pain.

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Pandemic-era babies do not have higher autism risk, finds study

Children born during the pandemic, including those exposed to COVID in utero, were no more likely to screen positive for autism than unexposed or pre-pandemic children.

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PTSD symptoms can be reduced through treatment including a video game

A single treatment session, which includes the video game Tetris, can reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This has been shown in a new study carried out with healthcare professionals working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Researchers publish breakthrough study on how new genes evolve

Findings suggest that new genes can form by repurposing fragments of ancestral genes while incorporating entirely new coding regions (the protein-coding parts of the DNA). This innovative concept bridges the gap between entirely new gene formation from noncoding regions and the more traditional model in which new functions can arise from duplicated genes.

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Mental health concerns are a huge part of primary care practice

An examination of millions of patient visits to primary care physicians shows that mental health concerns are second only to musculoskeletal complaints in everyday care. One in nine patients was seeking care primarily because of a mental health concern. In mid-life, that number rises to one in five patients. Mental health concerns are as prevalent as respiratory and cardiovascular complaints, and are more common than infections, injuries, digestive, skin, urological or sensory issues.

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Adhesive comes unglued on command

Modern integrated microelectronic devices are often poorly repairable and difficult to recycle. Debondable adhesives play a key role in the transition to a circular economy with sustainable resources, less waste, and intelligent repair/recycling strategies. A research team has now introduced a method for making adhesives that can be deactivated 'on command'.

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Origami paper sensors could help early detection of infectious diseases in new simple, low-cost test

Researchers have developed an innovative new method for identifying biomarkers in wastewater using origami-paper sensors, enabling the tracking of infectious diseases using the camera in a mobile phone. The new test device is low-cost and fast and could dramatically change how public health measures are directed in any future pandemics.

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Coronavirus spike proteins can be selectively detected in 5 minutes

Can an immunoassay be created and selectively detect a virus in under 5 minutes? In a new study, researchers report that it can be done using a low-power laser like a laser pointer with a little liquid sample like a sesame seed.

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Coronavirus spike proteins can be selectively detected in 5 minutes

Can an immunoassay be created and selectively detect a virus in under 5 minutes? In a new study, researchers report that it can be done using a low-power laser like a laser pointer with a little liquid sample like a sesame seed.

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Team discovers naturally occurring DNA-protein hybrids

Thanks to a serendipitous discovery and a lot of painstaking work, scientists can now build biohybrid molecules that combine the homing powers of DNA with the broad functional repertoire of proteins -- without having to synthesize them one by one, researchers report. Using a naturally occurring process, laboratories can harness the existing molecule-building capacities of bacteria to generate vast libraries of potentially therapeutic DNA-protein hybrid molecules.

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Study finds 'supercharging' T cells with mitochondria enhances their antitumor activity

Investigators have developed a way to 'supercharge' T cells by supplying them with extra mitochondria from multipotent stromal cells.

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Tumor-induced B cell changes reveal potential biomarker for treatment response in triple negative breast cancer

Researchers have discovered new insights into tumor-induced B cell changes in blood and bone marrow of triple negative breast cancer patients. The findings show two distinct patterns of B cell abnormalities that could serve as blood biomarkers for determining likelihood of response to standard-of-care chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

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Ehrapy: A new open-source tool for analyzing complex health data

Scientists have developed an accessible software solution specifically designed for the analysis of complex medical health data. The open-source software called 'ehrapy' enables researchers to structure and systematically examine large, heterogeneous datasets. The software is available to the global scientific community to use and further develop.

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Doctors and patients interested in environmental impact of health care decisions, study finds

In a series of focus groups conducted in different areas of the United States, doctors and patients expressed openness to considering environmental factors when discussing treatment options. The findings suggest that educating physicians about the environmental costs of treatment -- and how those costs may be reduced while continuing to deliver excellent care -- can be a first step toward that goal.

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Five key factors predict the response of cancer patients to immunotherapy

Researchers have identified five independent factors that predict cancer patients' response to checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs). The study validates these factors in more than 1,400 patients and diverse types of cancer. These findings provide a framework to interpret biomarkers of response to CPIs and suggest a future pathway to improve personalized cancer medicine.

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Breakthrough is a game changer in heart valve technology

When a patient needs a new heart valve, the current mechanical and tissue replacements each have strengths and weaknesses. Now, a team of researchers believe they have found a way to harness the strengths of both technologies in a way that could be life-changing -- and life-saving -- for many.

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Dams built to prevent coastal flooding can worsen it

The common practice of building dams to prevent flooding can actually contribute to more intense coastal flood events, according to a new study. By analyzing data and measurements from Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, dating back more than a century, researchers determined that coastal dams don't necessarily mitigate flooding. Dams can either increase or decrease flood risks, depending on the duration of a surge event and friction from the flow of water.

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Foods with low Nutri-Scores associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, study finds

In a new article, reesearchers report an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases associated with the consumption of foods that rank less favorably on the Nutri-Score scale (new 2024 version) within the European cohort EPIC.

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Folded or cut, this lithium-sulfur battery keeps going

Most rechargeable batteries that power portable devices, such as toys, handheld vacuums and e-bikes, use lithium-ion technology. But these batteries can have short lifetimes and may catch fire when damaged. To address stability and safety issues, researchers have designed a lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery that features an improved iron sulfide cathode. One prototype remains highly stable over 300 charge-discharge cycles, and another provides power even after being folded or cut.

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New discovery aims to improve the design of microelectronic devices

A new study is providing new insights into how next-generation electronics, including memory components in computers, breakdown or degrade over time.

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Bacteria work together to thrive in difficult conditions

In a new study, researchers have determined through both statistical analysis and in experiments that soil pH is a driver of microbial community composition -- but that the need to address toxicity released during nitrogen cycling ultimately shapes the final microbial community.

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Unveiling the math behind your calendar

In a world where organizing a simple meeting can feel like herding cats, new research reveals just how challenging finding a suitable meeting time becomes as the number of participants grows. The study dives into the mathematical complexities of this common task, offering new insights into why scheduling often feels so impossible.

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Research reveals reality of Ice Age teen puberty

Landmark new research shows Ice Age teens from 25,000 years ago went through similar puberty stages as modern-day adolescents.

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Sex matters in how, when, and where melanomas develop, study finds

A study analyzing long-term melanoma data reveals important insights into melanoma incidence trends in men and women.

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Sterilization rates among women rose after U.S. Supreme Court abortion ruling

Researchers found an increase in surgical sterilization among women after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion.

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How aging affects stem cells: A fly's tale

Scientists have identified key changes to both chromosome structure and gene expression that affect stem cell function during aging. Using fruit flies, they found that these changes led to stem cell exhaustion, which prevents stem cells from multiplying. The findings provide the first evidence of an independent exhaustion signal and enhance our understanding of how the delicate balance between stem cell exhaustion and proliferation is disrupted in normal aging.

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Researchers develop analytical pipeline to identify unexploited genes that hold research value

A research team has developed an analysis pipeline to identify unexploited genes for a given disease against five databases that provide gene-disease associations. They used their pipeline to study oxidative stress and its related disease, Parkinson's disease, as a case study.

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Researchers develop analytical pipeline to identify unexploited genes that hold research value

A research team has developed an analysis pipeline to identify unexploited genes for a given disease against five databases that provide gene-disease associations. They used their pipeline to study oxidative stress and its related disease, Parkinson's disease, as a case study.

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How Japanese eels escape from their predator's stomach

Many prey species have defensive tactics to escape being eaten by their would-be predators. But a new study has taken it to another level by offering the first video evidence of juvenile Japanese eels escaping after being swallowed into the stomachs of their fish predators.

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Extreme weather to strengthen rapidly over next two decades

The study shows how global warming can combine with normal variations in the weather to produce decade-long periods of very rapid changes in both extreme temperatures and rainfall.

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'Out-of-body' research could lead to new ways to promote social harmony

Out-of-body experiences, such as near-death experiences, can have a 'transformative' effect on people's ability to experience empathy and connect with others, new research explains.

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Microwaving waste cooking oil into useful chemicals

Converting biomass such as waste cooking oil into useful chemicals through catalysis can help create a more sustainable chemical industry. However, conventional techniques require enormous energy and generate harmful chemicals. Moreover, such techniques reduce the lifetime of catalysts. Now, researchers reveal a zeolite catalyst that can be efficiently heated up using microwaves.

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Gut bacteria influence responses to immunotherapy in patients with asbestos related cancer

A cancer study found that certain gut bacteria may influence whether or not a patient's immune system is successful in fighting mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer.

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Cohesion at the cellular level: flexible yet stable

Research teams are analyzing how proteins work together to enable our cells to both stick and move. The marker protein paxillin is at the center of their interest.

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Cause, potential treatments ID'd for persistent COVID-19 lung problems

Arthritis drugs already available for prescription have the potential to halt lingering lung problems that can last months or years after COVID-19 infections, new research suggests.

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Brain scans reveal that mindfulness meditation for pain is not a placebo

Brain scans reveal that mindfulness meditation engages different neural pathways compared to placebo, demonstrating that pain relief from mindfulness meditation is not the result of the placebo effect.

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Brain scans reveal that mindfulness meditation for pain is not a placebo

Brain scans reveal that mindfulness meditation engages different neural pathways compared to placebo, demonstrating that pain relief from mindfulness meditation is not the result of the placebo effect.

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Brain scanning approach shows wiring of depression

By repeatedly scanning the brains of a small group of patients for a year and a half, researchers have identified a distinct pattern of neuronal interactions that appears to predispose some people to developing depression.

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For many animals sleep is a social activity, but it's usually studied as an individual process

Group sleeping can impact when animals sleep, how long they sleep for, and how deeply they sleep. For example, groups of meerkats time their sleep according to 'sleep traditions'; olive baboons sleep less when their group size increases; bumblebees suppress sleep in the presence of offspring; and co-sleeping mice can experience synchronized REM sleep. To fully understand both sleep and animal social structures, we need to pay more attention to the 'social side' of sleep, animal behaviorists argue.

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Brain scanning approach shows wiring of depression

By repeatedly scanning the brains of a small group of patients for a year and a half, researchers have identified a distinct pattern of neuronal interactions that appears to predispose some people to developing depression.

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Major leap for nuclear clock paves way for ultraprecise timekeeping

Nuclear clocks would measure time based on changes inside an atom's nucleus, which would make them less sensitive to external disturbances and potentially more accurate than atomic clocks. These clocks could lead to improved timekeeping and navigation, faster internet speeds, and advances in fundamental physics research. Scientists have demonstrated key components of a nuclear clock, such as precise frequency measurements of an energy jump in a thorium-229 nucleus.

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Newly discovered gene may influence longevity

It turns out that a particular gene has a great influence on longevity, a new study concludes. This may pave the way for new treatment.

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Researchers develop tool that measures health of a person's gut microbiome

A team of researchers has developed an innovative computational tool that analyzes the gut microbiome, a complex ecosystem of trillions of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microorganisms within the digestive system, to provide insights into overall well-being.

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Researchers give adult zebra finches back their ability to learn new songs

We all know the adage, 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks.' As we age, our ability to learn new skills, like mastering a foreign language or picking up a musical instrument, seems to fade. The culprit? A decline in brain plasticity - the brain's capacity to rewire itself and adapt to new challenges. But what if we could rewind the clock on this age-related decline? A new study offers a tantalizing glimpse into this possibility.

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How bright is the universe's glow? Study offers best measurement yet

Over billions of years, the universe's stars and galaxies shined their light into space, leaving behind an imperceptibly faint night light known as the cosmic optical background. NASA's New Horizons spacecraft has traveled to the edge of Earth's solar system and captured the most accurate measurement of this glow to date.

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Young adults let down by 'postcode lottery' for ADHD treatment in UK

A UK survey has found huge variation in treatment for ADHD, highlighting the struggle many young adults face once they turn 18. Researchers have warned that the current system is failing many young adults as they transition from children's to adult's services -- suddenly finding themselves unable to access treatment because services do not link up effectively.

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Young adults let down by 'postcode lottery' for ADHD treatment in UK

A UK survey has found huge variation in treatment for ADHD, highlighting the struggle many young adults face once they turn 18. Researchers have warned that the current system is failing many young adults as they transition from children's to adult's services -- suddenly finding themselves unable to access treatment because services do not link up effectively.

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Waging war on 'superbugs' in aged care

There's an urgent need for more careful antibiotic management to protect older people living in residential aged care from the dangerous spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria or 'superbugs', researchers warn.

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Wearable heart monitor increases diagnosis of irregular heart rhythm

Wearable, long-term continuous heart monitors helped identify 52% more cases of atrial fibrillation compared to usual care, but that did not lead to a reduction in hospitalizations due to stroke, according to a new study.

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Wearable heart monitor increases diagnosis of irregular heart rhythm

Wearable, long-term continuous heart monitors helped identify 52% more cases of atrial fibrillation compared to usual care, but that did not lead to a reduction in hospitalizations due to stroke, according to a new study.

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Genomic dark matter solves butterfly evolutionary riddle

Researchers have uncovered a surprising genetic mechanism that influences the vibrant and complex patterns on butterfly wings. The team discovered that an RNA molecule, rather than a protein as previously thought, plays a pivotal role in determining the distribution of black pigment on butterfly wings.

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