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press releases.

Science5 Feb 2024

Pulmonary rehabilitation is difficult for millions of Americans to access

New Haven, Conn. — Pulmonary rehabilitation, an essential component of care for patients with chronic respiratory conditions, is difficult for millions of Americans to access, a new Yale-led study reveals. The findings, researchers say, reveal geographic regions where this type of care is most lacking and illustrate the potential for telemedicine in helping to bridge this gap. The study was published Feb. 5 in JAMA Network Open. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary program that incorporates exercise and strategic techniques to improve quality of life and overall health for patients with respiratory conditions like chronic ...

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Science5 Feb 2024

High production of polyols using crude glycerol by wild-type safe yeasts

Utilizing crude glycerol for the synthesis of high-value products offers a promising solution to counter the adverse effects of declining glycerol prices in the biodiesel sector. The prevalence of crude glycerol, a by-product of biodiesel production, across agriculture, biofuel, and industrial sectors is steadily rising. Recent advancements have demonstrated the effectiveness of both wild-type and mutant yeast strains as microbial cell factories capable of converting glycerol into a diverse array of valuable compounds, including microbial oils, sugar-alcohols (polyols), and organic acids. With the projected increase in biodiesel production, there is a need to explore integrated ...

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Science5 Feb 2024

Solvent sieve method sets new record for perovskite light-emitting diodes

Using a simple solvent sieve method, researchers from the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have taken the lead in developing highly efficient and stable perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) with record performance. The study was published in Nature Photonics. Perovskites are one of the most promising optoelectronic materials due to their excellent optoelectronic performance and low preparation cost. Compared with traditional organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), PeLEDs have a narrower light-emitting spectrum and superior color ...

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Science5 Feb 2024

Ultra-sensitive lead detector could significantly improve water quality monitoring

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed an ultra-sensitive sensor made with graphene that can detect extraordinarily low concentrations of lead ions in water. The device achieves a record limit of detection of lead down to the femtomolar range, which is one million times more sensitive than previous sensing technologies. “With the extremely high sensitivity of our device, we ultimately hope to detect even the presence of one lead ion in a reasonable volume of water,” said Prabhakar Bandaru, a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering. “Lead exposure is a serious health concern, ...

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Science5 Feb 2024

Number of shark bites consistent with recent trends, with small spike in fatalities

There was an increase in the number of unprovoked shark attacks worldwide and an uptick in fatalities in 2023 compared to the previous year. The University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File (ISAF), a scientific database of global shark attacks, confirmed 69 unprovoked bites in 2023. Although this is higher than the most recent five-year average of 63 attacks, the data remain consistent with long-term trends. Ten of the past year’s unprovoked attacks were fatal, up from five the year before, with a disproportionate number occurring in Australia. Although the country accounted for 22% of all attacks, ...

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Science5 Feb 2024

Winners of the 2024 Hill Prizes announced

Hill Prize in Medicine Awarded to Martin M. Matzuk, M.D., Ph.D. (NAS), Baylor College of Medicine Hill Prize in Engineering Awarded to Maria A. Croyle, Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin Hill Prize in Biological Sciences Awarded to Russell A. DeBose-Boyd, Ph.D. (NAS), UT Southwestern Medical Center Hill Prize in Physical Sciences Awarded to Allan H. MacDonald, Ph.D. (NAS), The University of Texas at Austin Hill Prize in Technology Awarded to Hermann Lebit, Ph.D., Alma Energy February 5, 2024 – Austin – TAMEST ...

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Science5 Feb 2024

Difficulty swallowing, allergies in children and young adults: is it eosinophilic esophagitis?

Children and young adults with allergies or eczema who have difficulty swallowing may have eosinophilic esophagitis. A review published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) provides guidance on how to diagnose and manage this chronic inflammatory disease https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.230378. In people with eosinophilic esophagitis, the esophageal lining is inflamed, which can cause injury and narrowing of the throat. Although it can affect anyone, the risk is higher in children aged 5–14 years ...

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Science3 Feb 2024

California voter poll: Schiff leads, while Porter and Garvey neck-and-neck for second in the U.S. Senate primary

U.S. Rep. Katie Porter and former Los Angeles Dodger Steve Garvey are deadlocked in the race for second place in the U.S. Senate primary in California, according to a new poll on California politics and policies from USC; California State University, Long Beach; and Cal Poly Pomona. U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat, leads all candidates with 25% of likely voters, according to the California Elections and Policy Poll. Porter, a Democrat, and Garvey, a Republican, each received support from 15%. Other candidates are in single digits, with Democratic U.S. Rep. ...

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Science2 Feb 2024

Common food preservative has unexpected effects on the gut microbiome

Food manufacturers often add preservatives to food products to keep them fresh. A primary purpose of these preservatives is to kill microbes that could break down and otherwise spoil the food. Common additives like sugar, salt, vinegar and alcohol have been used as preservatives for centuries, but modern-day food labels now reveal more unfamiliar ingredients such as sodium benzoate, calcium propionate, and potassium sorbate. Bacteria produce chemicals called bacteriocins to kill microbial competitors. These chemicals can serve as natural preservatives by killing potentially dangerous pathogens ...

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Science2 Feb 2024

Welch Foundation supports Johnson-Winters' TB research

With a $300,000 grant, the Welch Foundation is supporting University of Texas at Arlington research into why some types of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the bacteria that causes the lung disease tuberculosis (TB), do not respond to treatments. Since its founding in 1954, the Houston-based Welch Foundation has contributed to the advancement of chemistry through research grants, departmental programs, endowed chairs and other special projects in Texas. “As one of the nation’s largest private funding sources for chemical research, it is our job ...

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Science2 Feb 2024

Mechanism discovered that protects tissue after faulty gene expression

The genetic material, in the form of DNA, contains the information that is crucial for the correct functioning of every human and animal cell. From this information repository, RNA, an intermediate between DNA and protein, the functional unit of the cell, is generated. During this process, the genetic information must be tailored for specific cell functions. Information that is not needed (introns) is cut out of the RNA and the important components for proteins (exons) are preserved. A team of researchers led by Professor Dr Mirka Uhlirova at the University of Cologne’s CECAD Cluster of ...

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Science2 Feb 2024

Unveiling Oxidation-induced Super-elasticity in Metallic Glass Nanotubes

Oxidation can degrade the properties and functionality of metals. However, a research team co-led by scientists from City University of Hong Kong (CityU) recently found that severely oxidized metallic glass nanotubes can attain an ultrahigh recoverable elastic strain, outperforming most conventional super-elastic metals. They also discovered the physical mechanisms underpinning this super-elasticity. Their discovery implies that oxidation in low-dimension metallic glass can result in unique properties for ...

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Science2 Feb 2024

Speech Accessibility Project begins recruiting people who have had a stroke

The Speech Accessibility Project has begun recruiting U.S. and Puerto Rican adults who have had a stroke. Those interested can sign up online. Funded by Big Tech companies Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign aims to train voice recognition technologies to understand people with diverse speech patterns and disabilities. The project is also recruiting adults with Parkinson’s disease, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. “A stroke can cause big changes, including changes to your ability to speak,” said Mark Hasegawa-Johnson, the project’s ...

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Science2 Feb 2024

nTIDE January 2024 Jobs Report: Despite minor shifts, employment for people with disabilities remains near historic highs

East Hanover, NJ – February 2, 2024 – Labor market indicators showed slight declines over the last two months for both people with and without disabilities, according to today’s National Trends in Disability Employment – semi-monthly update (nTIDE), issued by Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability (UNH-IOD). These declines may reflect the end of seasonal employment and the impact of the Federal Reserve’s anti-inflationary measures aimed at minimizing the risk of recession. ...

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Science2 Feb 2024

UT research breaking records, growing impact in Tennessee and beyond

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, continued to expand its impact and research footprint last year, breaking university records for both research expenditures and sponsored project awards for the second straight year. Since 2019, UT has more than doubled its sponsored project awards, reaching a record $428 million in the fiscal year that ended in June 2023. The university also reported $339 million in research expenditures in fiscal year 2023, an increase of nearly $15 million over fiscal year 2022 and the highest amount in UT history. Research expenditures include internal and external funds that support UT research ...

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Science2 Feb 2024

Fruit flies give further insight into evolution of male genitalia driven by sexual selection

Embargoed until 11am ET USA/4pm GMT UK on Friday 2 February (Current Biology embargo) -With pictures- Fruit flies have provided scientists with new insight into the genetic basis for the rapid evolution of male external genitalia driven by sexual selection. Secondary sexual characteristics such as peacocks’ tails and the male external genitalia of insects are known to be among the fastest evolving animal body parts. It is thought that this is driven by sexual selection including through female choice and the different evolutionary needs of each sex to find the right mate and maximise their fitness. Now scientists at Durham University and Oxford ...

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Science2 Feb 2024

Paper: Multistate foodborne illness outbreaks impact restaurant stock price, public perception

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — As demand for food from restaurants soars in the U.S., so does the importance in understanding the impacts of foodborne illness outbreaks. A new paper co-written by a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign expert in food marketing and food policy finds that outbreaks spanning multiple states bring swift financial losses, increased media attention and a public-relations hit that makes smaller outbreaks more financially damaging. In the U.S., more than 60% of foodborne illness outbreaks occur at restaurants, and the vast majority of those outbreaks are confined ...

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Science2 Feb 2024

Identifying genomics markers to predict radiation sensitivity

As the effectiveness of radiotherapy varies greatly between tumours, finding gene signatures to predict the radiation response could better guide the clinicians to personalize treatment plans. Professor Venkata Manem, affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine at Université Laval and the Centre de recherche CHU de Québec - Université Laval, has made a promising step to advance pre-clinical research in the field of precision radiation oncology. Currently, doctors use a “one-size-fits-all” paradigm for radiotherapy, with a given dose and frequency ...

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Science2 Feb 2024

Scammed! Animals ‘led by the nose’ to leave plants alone

University of Sydney researchers have shown it is possible to shield plants from the hungry maws of herbivorous mammals by fooling them with the smell of a variety they typically avoid. Findings from the study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution show tree seedlings planted next to the decoy smell solution were 20 times less likely to be eaten by animals. “This is equivalent to the seedlings being surrounded by actual plants that are unpalatable to the herbivore. In most cases it does trick the animals into leaving the plants alone,” said PhD student Patrick ...

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Science2 Feb 2024

Epigenetic status determines metastasis

Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University investigated in mice how spreading tumor cells behave at the site of metastasis: Some tumor cells immediately start to form metastases. Others leave the blood vessel and may then enter a long period of dormancy. What determines which path the cancer cells take is their epigenetic status. This was also confirmed in experiments with human tumor cells. The results of the study could pave the way for novel diagnostic and therapeutic applications. What makes cancer so dangerous? ...

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Science2 Feb 2024

Researchers study role of post-transcriptional splicing in plant response to light

In a study recently published in the PNAS on Jan. 30, a research team led by Prof. CAO Xiaofeng from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with researchers from the Southern University of Science and Technology, reported a new understanding of how light affects plant growth. Light plays a central role in plant growth and development, providing an energy source and governing various aspects of plant morphology. Post-transcriptional splicing (PTS) has been previously discovered to generate polyadenylated full-length transcripts. These transcripts, ...

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Science2 Feb 2024

Gene-editing offers hope for people with hereditary disorder

A group of patients with a hereditary disorder have had their lives transformed by a single treatment of a breakthrough gene-editing therapy, according to the lead researcher. The patients from New Zealand, the Netherlands and the UK have hereditary angioedema, a genetic disorder characterised by severe, painful and unpredictable swelling attacks. These interfere with daily life and can affect airways and prove fatal. Now researchers from the University of Auckland, Amsterdam University Medical Center and Cambridge University Hospitals have successfully treated more than ten patients with the CRISPR/Cas9 therapy, ...

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Science2 Feb 2024

A clutch stretch goes a long way

Kyoto, Japan -- Cell biology has possibly never jumped to the next level in the same way. In multicellular organisms, cell migration and mechanosensing are essential for cellular development and maintenance. These processes rely on talin, the key focal adhesion -- or FA -- protein, central in connecting adjacent cellular matrices and enabling force transmission between them. Talins are commonly considered fully extended at FAs between actin filaments -- or F-actin -- and the anchor-like integrin receptor. Yet, a research ...

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Science2 Feb 2024

Insulin prices in US are more than twice as high as in other wealthy nations

The gross price of insulin in the U.S. is more than nine times higher than in 33 high-income comparison nations, according to a new RAND report. Although the cost differences of insulin between the U.S. and other nations varied depending on the comparison country and the type of insulin, U.S. prices were always higher -- often five to 10 times higher -- than those in other countries. The new report updates findings from earlier RAND work about U.S. insulin prices. After accounting for rebates and other discounts often offered by drug ...

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Science2 Feb 2024

My love language is peer-reviewed research

Feb. 1, 2024, TORONTO – From the Five Love Languages to the concept of “Happy Wife, Happy Life,” popular culture is riddled with ideas of how sex and relationships are supposed to work, but does the science back these ideas up? According to Faculty of Health Assistant Professor and Research Chair in Relationships and Sexuality Amy Muise, the answer is frequently no. Ahead of Valentine’s Day, Muise, also director of the Sexual Health and Relationship (SHaRe) Lab, can offer alternative theories that are supported by her research and other literature in the ...

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