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Overcoming the volatility of renewable energy, green hydrogen is 'the best'
Environment 2024-06-12

Overcoming the volatility of renewable energy, green hydrogen is 'the best'

A research team in Korea Institute of Energy Research has successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of a green hydrogen system used to supplement the volatility of renewable energy. *Green hydrogen: Hydrogen obtained by electrolysis of water, in which electrical energy derived from renewable sources such as solar and wind power is applied to water to produce hydrogen and oxygen. This production method is an environmentally friendly hydrogen production process with no carbon dioxide emissions. Dr. Joungho Park and his research team at the Energy ...
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Redefining "hormonal": The new nonprofit empowering women
Science 2024-06-12

Redefining "hormonal": The new nonprofit empowering women

Hormonally.org is a digital platform that provides free-to-access, evidence-based resources designed to empower women (and all those affected by hormones) to seek the appropriate care, treatment, and support they deserve. Hormonally’s mission is to make access to information on women’s hormonal health a more equitable experience for all. The new nonprofit organization offers accessible information and a safe place to discuss and discover everything from the first period to post-menopause. Hormonally ...
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Medicine 2024-06-12

MD Anderson and Sibylla Biotech announce strategic collaboration to discover and develop small-molecule protein degraders

HOUSTON and MILAN ― The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Sibylla Biotech today announced a strategic collaboration agreement to discover and develop novel small-molecule cancer therapies known as folding interfering degraders (FIDs), which disrupt the proper folding of target proteins and lead to their degradation. Under the agreement, Sibylla and MD Anderson will jointly conduct discovery and development work from target identification through drug candidate nomination on selected proteins, with the potential ...
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Uncovering the nature of emergent magnetic monopoles
Physics 2024-06-12

Uncovering the nature of emergent magnetic monopoles

Magnetic monopoles are elementary particles with isolated magnetic charges in three dimensions. In other words, they behave as isolated north or south poles of a magnet.  Magnetic monopoles have attracted continuous research interest since physicist Paul Dirac’s first proposal in 1931. However, real magnetic monopoles have not yet been observed and their existence remains an open question. On the other hand, scientists have discovered quasi-particles that mathematically behave as magnetic monopoles in condensed ...
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Medicine 2024-06-12

New study shows long-term effectiveness of gastric bypass in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity

SAN DIEGO – June 12, 2024 -- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, a type of weight-loss surgery, kept type 2 diabetes in remission for up to 15 years and most of the weight off for up to 20 years in one of the largest long-term studies of patients undergoing the procedure. The study* was presented today at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting. Researchers from Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA analyzed diabetes remission rates and weight-loss outcomes of 2,045 patients who had a gastric bypass at their center between 2001 and 2008 ...
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Hokkaido University scientist recognized in award from the Royal Society of Chemistry
Social Science 2024-06-12

Hokkaido University scientist recognized in award from the Royal Society of Chemistry

The NSF Center for Molecularly Optimized Networks team, of which Professor Jian Ping Gong of the Faculty of Advanced Life Science and the Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD) at Hokkaido University is a member, has won a Horizon Prize from the Royal Society of Chemistry. The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)’s Prizes portfolio is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the world, recognizing achievements by individuals, teams and organizations in advancing the chemical sciences. They reward those undertaking excellent work in the chemical sciences from across the world. The NSF Center for Molecularly Optimized Networks team, including Professor ...
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Science 2024-06-12

Cocaine trafficking threatens critical bird habitats

ITHACA, N.Y. – In addition to its human consequences, cocaine trafficking harms the environment and threatens habitats important to dozens of species of migratory birds, according to a new study. Two-thirds of the areas that are most important to forest birds – including 67 species of migratory birds that breed in the U.S. and Canada and overwinter in Central America – are at increased risk from cocaine trafficking activities, according to the study,  “Intersection of Narco-Trafficking, Enforcement and Bird Conservation ...
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Humans are the elephant in the room where conservation is debated
Environment 2024-06-12

Humans are the elephant in the room where conservation is debated

Humans are outsized actors in the world’s wild places where there are struggles to preserve and protect vital natural resources and animals, birds and plants. Yet people and their plus-sized footprint are rarely discussed in models seeking to predict and plan for trajectories of endangered species. Sustainability scholars at Michigan State University in this week’s journal Nature Ecology and Evolution reveal the decades-long gaps in research and propose a new way of creating accurate visions for endangered species. To map and predict species ...
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No bones about it: 100-million-year-old bones reveal new species of pterosaur
Environment 2024-06-12

No bones about it: 100-million-year-old bones reveal new species of pterosaur

New Curtin University-led research has identified 100-million-year-old fossilised bones discovered in western Queensland as belonging to a newly identified species of pterosaur, which was a formidable flying reptile that lived among the dinosaurs. Unearthed in 2021 by Kronosaurus Korner museum curator Kevin Petersen, the fossilised remains have been found to belong to Haliskia peterseni, a new genus and species of anhanguerian pterosaur. Based on the shape of its skull, arrangement of teeth and shape of the shoulder bone, a research team led by ...
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Medicine 2024-06-12

City of Hope CAR T cell therapy for advanced prostate cancer demonstrates positive results in phase 1 clinical trial

City of Hope CAR T cell therapy for advanced prostate cancer demonstrates positive results in phase 1 clinical trial •    Trial results published today in Nature Medicine •    A phase 1b trial using the same CAR T cell therapy has opened  LOS ANGELES — Treating prostate cancer with immunotherapy is currently difficult to do. But results from a first in-human phase 1 trial using a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy developed by researchers from City of Hope®, ...
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Medicine 2024-06-12

Exposure to heat and cold in early life may affect development of white matter in the brain

Barcelona, 12 June 2024 (EMBARGOED) -. Brain scans of more than 2,000 preadolescents suggests that early life exposure to heat and cold may have lasting effects on the microstructure of white matter in the brain, especially when living in poorer neighbourhoods. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, highlights the vulnerability of foetuses and children to extreme temperatures. This research has been led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by the “la Caixa” Foundation, and IDIBELL, in collaboration with the Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam ...
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The role of biodiversity in mitigating rapid loss of plant community stability in drylands during changing climate
Environment 2024-06-12

The role of biodiversity in mitigating rapid loss of plant community stability in drylands during changing climate

An international research team undertook a study of plants in the Mongolian grasslands to evaluate the stability of these plant communities over time. They specifically looked at how the dryness of the climate impacted the plant communities and determined that the stability of the plant communities decreased more rapidly in more arid areas. This research helps in the development of effective management strategies that promote stable ecosystems in a time of changing climate. The research is published in the journal Global Change Biology on June 12, 2024. Scientists know that climate change affects the way biodiversity influences the stability of plant ...
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Medicine 2024-06-12

Continuous vs intermittent β-lactam antibiotic infusions in critically ill patients with sepsis

About The Study: The observed difference in 90-day mortality between continuous versus intermittent infusions of β-lactam antibiotics did not meet statistical significance in the primary analysis. However, the confidence interval around the effect estimate includes the possibility of both no important effect and a clinically important benefit in the use of continuous infusions in this group of patients. Quote from corresponding author Joel M. Dulhunty, M.D., Ph.D.: “The BLING III trial provides important evidence to guide antibiotic management and improve outcomes for patients with sepsis. This large randomized clinical trial involved over ...
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Medicine 2024-06-12

Prolonged vs intermittent infusions of β-lactam antibiotics in adults with sepsis or septic shock

About The Study: Among adults in the intensive care unit who had sepsis or septic shock, the use of prolonged β-lactam antibiotic infusions was associated with a reduced risk of 90-day mortality compared with intermittent infusions. The current evidence presents a high degree of certainty for clinicians to consider prolonged infusions as a standard of care in the management of sepsis and septic shock. Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Jason A. Roberts, B.Pharm., Ph.D., email j.roberts@uq.edu.au.  To ...
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Science 2024-06-12

Does inflammation in mid-life affect late-life mobility?

In a recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society, having high inflammation in mid-life was associated with a clinically meaningful slower gait speed—an indicator of mobility—20 years later. In the study, which included 4,758 community-dwelling adults, the link between high inflammation and slower late-life gait speed was especially strong for people with sustained high inflammation over the 20-plus years of follow-up. The association was evident even among the healthiest adults who never experienced other common conditions such as obesity, hypertension, ...
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Medicine 2024-06-12

Does children’s sensitivity to their parents’ praise affect their future mental health?

A new study published in Developmental Science found that children who were more positively sensitive to their parents’ praise when they were 3 years old had fewer behavioral and emotional problems when they were 5–7 years old. Children whose behavior did not depend on their mood also had fewer behavioral and emotional problems later. For the study, which involved 60 children, parents sent in videos of their 3-year-olds brushing their teeth each night across 16 days. Toothbrushing time served as a measure of child behavior. Investigators also noted the amount of ...
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Technology 2024-06-12

How can artificial intelligence be applied to the business needs of the electric power industry?

A recent study published in IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution explores how artificial intelligence—in particular machine learning techniques—can be leveraged as powerful tools for the electric power and energy industry, and for managing its assets. By showcasing practical applications and success stories, the study demonstrates the growing acceptance of machine learning as a valuable technology for current and future business needs in the power sector. It also assesses the barriers and difficulties of implementing large-scale ...
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Medicine 2024-06-12

Could a novel liver patch help treat and prevent liver disease?

As described in research published in the Biotechnology Journal, investigators have developed a novel patch that can help liver tissue regenerate. The patch is a combination of decellularized liver matrix, a liver growth factor, and an anticoagulant. In lab tests with liver cells, the patch helped liver cells regain function after exposure to a toxin. In rats, patches attached to the liver and gut promoted recovery from liver fibrosis, with notable decreases in scarring and inflammation. “The decellularized liver matrix–based hepatic patch has demonstrated the ability to ...
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Medicine 2024-06-12

Do psychiatric conditions increase the risk of early death in individuals with anorexia nervosa?

A new study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders found that mortality rates are high in patients with anorexia nervosa and nearly double in the presence of psychiatric conditions. For the study, investigators analyzed data on all individuals diagnosed with anorexia nervosa in Denmark in 1977-2018. This included 14,774 patients who were followed for a median time of 9.1 years (and up to 40 years) and were matched 1:10 with age- and sex-matched individuals in the general population. Individuals with ...
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Study demonstrates sustained reduction in child mortality following educational interventions in low-resourced countries
Social Science 2024-06-12

Study demonstrates sustained reduction in child mortality following educational interventions in low-resourced countries

Pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in low and middle-income countries see elevated mortality rates, often 10 times higher than those in high-income countries. One leading risk factor is the high incidence of unplanned intubation — a procedure that inserts a tube into the child’s airway — which can lead to complications like hypoxia and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Interventions that improve clinical practices can help reduce child mortality in countries with limited resources. In a new study published June 12th in Frontiers of Public Health, investigators from Mass ...
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Engineering 2024-06-12

Scientists engineer human antibodies that could neutralize black widow toxin

There are various types of widow spiders, including black, red, and brown varieties in North and South America, the Australian redback spider, and several button spider species that inhabit South Africa. In Europe, Latrodectus tredecimguttatus – the European black widow – inhabits the Mediterranean region, but recently and due to the changing climate, the widows have been expanding their habitat. Widow spiders’ bites can cause latrodectism, a disease where the spider’s venom, a neurotoxin known as alpha-latrotoxin, attacks the nervous system and causes symptoms like severe ...
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Medicine 2024-06-12

How feeling younger impacts dementia caregivers and their loved ones

The felt age of spousal caregivers is connected to the felt age of their loved ones living with dementia, according to a study from the University of Surrey. This perceived age in people with dementia and their caregivers is related to their own wellbeing, satisfaction with life, and self-confidence.  Felt age is defined as how old someone feels compared to their real age. It's measured by asking people to report whether they feel younger, the same, or older than their actual age. This concept helps understand how people see their own ageing, which can affect their mental and physical health and predict important ...
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Towards a new era in flexible piezoelectric sensors for both humans and robots
Technology 2024-06-12

Towards a new era in flexible piezoelectric sensors for both humans and robots

Flexible piezoelectric sensors are essential to monitor the motions of both humans and humanoid robots. However, existing designs are either are costly or have limited sensitivity. In a recent study, researchers from Japan tackled these issues by developing a novel piezoelectric composite material made from electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride nanofibers combined with dopamine. Sensors made from this material showed significant performance and stability improvements at a low cost, promising advancements ...
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Science 2024-06-12

New study suggests kidney function is associated with tooth loss in postmenopausal women

CLEVELAND, Ohio (June 12, 2024)—Kidneys play a critical role in overall health by removing waste products from the blood. When they fail to sufficiently filter out foreign elements, several serious, lifethreatening, medical conditions can result. A new study suggests that chronic kidney disease may also be linked with tooth loss. Results of the survey are published online today in Menopause, the journal of The Menopause Society. A woman’s glomerular filtration rate shows how well her kidneys are functioning. ...
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Breakthrough MEMS Huygens clock improves timekeeping precision and stability
Science 2024-06-12

Breakthrough MEMS Huygens clock improves timekeeping precision and stability

In a significant development for the miniaturization of electronic devices, a new study published in Engineering has reported the creation of a Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) clock that offers improved precision and stability. The clock, which utilizes the synchronization principle discovered by the Christiaan Huygens, consists of two synchronized MEMS oscillators and a frequency compensation system. The research details how the MEMS Huygens clock enhances short-time stability, with the Allan deviation – a measure of the clock’s accuracy over time – improving by a factor of 3.73 from 19.3 ppb to 5.17 ppb at 1 second. The clock's long-term ...
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