Voids or pores have usually been viewed as fatal flaws that severely degrade a material's mechanical performance and should be eliminated in manufacturing. However, a research team led by Prof. JIN Haijun from the Institute of Metal Research (IMR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has proposed that the presence of voids is not always hazardous. Instead, voids can be beneficial if they are added "properly" to the material. The team demonstrated that a metal with a large number of nanoscale voids shows improved ...

Scientists have discovered the gene responsible for prickles in eggplants, a trait that complicates farming. Using advanced genetic techniques, they identified the Prickly Eggplant (PE) gene on chromosome 6 and pinpointed SmLOG1 as the key factor. CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing confirmed that disabling SmLOG1 eliminates prickles, paving the way for prickle-free eggplant varieties. This breakthrough not only sheds light on prickle development but also promises to streamline eggplant cultivation and harvesting, benefiting the agricultural industry. Eggplants, a staple crop globally, present significant challenges in cultivation and harvesting due to their prickles. These prickles, which serve as ...

People eat either because they are hungry or for pleasure, even in the absence of hunger. While hunger-driven eating is fundamental for survival, pleasure-driven feeding may accelerate the onset of obesity and associated metabolic disorders. A study published in Nature Metabolism reveals neural circuits in the mouse brain that promote hunger-driven feeding and suppress pleasure-driven eating. The findings open new possibilities for developing strategies to combat obesity. “Ideal feeding habits would balance eating for necessity and for pleasure, minimizing the latter,” said co-corresponding author Dr. Yong Xu, ...

“These findings indicate that renalase-1 is a potential antigen for TCR recognition in melanoma and could be considered as a target for immunotherapy.” BUFFALO, NY- August 8, 2024 – A new research paper was published in Oncotarget's Volume 15 on August 5, 2024, entitled, “Chemical complementarity of tumor resident, T-cell receptor CDR3s and renalase-1 correlates with increased melanoma survival.” As mentioned in the Abstract of this study, overexpression of the secretory protein renalase-1 negatively impacts the survival of melanoma and pancreatic cancer patients, while inhibition of renalase-1 signaling drives tumor ...

Key Takeaways -Fusion has the potential to provide abundant clean energy -One to two-year awards range from $100,000 to $500,000 In a continuing effort to forge and fund public-private partnerships to accelerate fusion research, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today awarded $4.6 million in 17 awards to U.S. businesses via the Innovation Network for Fusion Energy (INFUSE) program.  The goal of INFUSE is to accelerate fusion energy development in the private sector by reducing impediments to collaboration between business ...

Following the Mediterranean diet versus the traditional Western diet might make you feel like you’re under less stress, according to new research conducted by a team from Binghamton University, State University of New York. The findings suggest that people can lower their perception of how much stress they can tolerate by following a Mediterranean diet, said Lina Begdache, associate professor of health and wellness studies. “Stress is recognized to be a precursor to mental distress, and research, including our own, has demonstrated that the Mediterranean diet lowers ...

A recent study investigates the intricate mechanisms of sugar import in developing seeds of Camellia oleifera. By identifying key sugar transporters and analyzing their roles, the research provides significant insights into the molecular regulation of seed development. The findings highlight how these transporters, working alongside sucrose-metabolizing enzymes, facilitate efficient sugar import and partitioning. This study not only advances our understanding of seed development in Camellia oleifera but also suggests potential strategies to enhance seed yield and quality in this important ...

Ann Arbor, August 8, 2024 – Media coverage of shootings by police typically involve urban incidents, giving the impression that the issue is unique to cities. However, national data built from the Gun Violence Archive tells a different story, showing a higher rate of shootings by police in rural and suburban areas than in cities during 2015-2020. A new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, published by Elsevier, reports on the first nationwide, descriptive analysis of where, how often, and under ...

SAN ANTONIO, Aug. 8, 2024 – A drug effective in treating breast cancer shows new promise in addressing breast cancer with brain metastases or recurrent glioblastoma, as reported by results of a prospective window-of-opportunity trial at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio). The window trial, in which patients agreed to receive a novel treatment before undergoing surgery, found that the drug Sacituzumab Govitecan was well-tolerated and showed signs of effectiveness for those whose breast cancer had progressed to brain tumors. About half of all women with ...

About The Article: This Viewpoint from the National Center for Health Statistics reports the leading causes of death in the U.S. from 2019 to 2023, including the emergence of COVID-19 and shifts in other top causes as pandemic deaths decreased. Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Farida Bhuiya Ahmad, MPH, email hhi0@cdc.gov. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/ (doi:10.1001/jama.2024.15563) Editor’s Note: Please see the ...

Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in agricultural biotechnology by using CRISPR/Cas9 to edit the potato genome, resulting in plants with increased resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. This innovation could lead to a new era of sustainable farming, where crops are naturally fortified against diseases and harsh environmental conditions, ensuring a stable food supply in the face of climate change and other global challenges. The global food system is under increasing pressure due to the compounding effects of climate change, which exacerbates the prevalence of pests and diseases in crops. Potatoes, being the third most important food crop worldwide, are ...

A recent review in the journal Sustainable Microbiology discusses how the use of biocides can promote well-being - but must only be used when there are clear benefits. Biocide use should be restricted to applications where there are tangible benefits but also not unnecessarily restricted where genuine benefits can be demonstrated, the new review suggests. The article ‘Sustainable application of biocides to promote hygiene and minimise antimicrobial resistance’ by scientists at the University of Manchester, UK, is published in Sustainable Microbiology, an Applied Microbiology International publication. Contribution to sustainability “We aimed to present ...

Amazonians are as genetically different from Andeans as Europeans are from East Asians when it comes to genetic variants that affect the response to certain drugs, according to a commentary published August 8 in the journal Cell. These genetic variations can affect what side effects an individual experiences and influence drug dosage recommendations. Taking the genetic diversity within indigenous groups as an example, the scientists highlight the need to address the diversity gap in genomics research. Historically, Native American populations have been viewed as ...

Physicians at an academic medical center completed surveys about climate change-focused educational modules related to health and sustainability in healthcare offered through an existing biannual quality incentive program. Most respondents thought that the modules were relevant or very relevant to their lives and clinical practices, and that their knowledge on these topics increased after completing the modules. Perceptions of the modules’ relevance varied by physicians’ demographics and specialties. An educational program emphasizing the relationship that climate change has with health and health care environmental sustainability was well-received by physicians, according ...

Toronto, ON, May 15, 2024 – Two classes of commonly prescribed oral antibiotics are associated with the greatest risk for severe drug rashes that can lead to emergency department visits, hospitalizations and even death, according to a new study.  Researchers from ICES, Sunnybrook Research Institute and the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine suggest that prescribers should consider using lower-risk antibiotics for their patients when clinically appropriate.  Serious cutaneous adverse drug reactions (cADRs), or severe drug rash, are ...

About The Study: Commonly prescribed oral antibiotics are associated with an increased risk of serious cutaneous adverse drug reactions compared with macrolides, with sulfonamides and cephalosporins carrying the highest risk. Prescribers should preferentially use lower-risk antibiotics when clinically appropriate. Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, David N. Juurlink, M.D., Ph.D., email david.juurlink@ices.on.ca. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/ (doi:10.1001/jama.2024.11437) Editor’s Note: Please ...

About The Study: This cohort study highlights an association between cannabis-related disorder and the development of head and neck cancer in adult patients. Given the limitations of the database, future research should examine the mechanism of this association and analyze dose response with strong controls to further support evidence of cannabis use as a risk factor for head and neck cancers.  Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Niels C. Kokot, MD, email niels.kokot@med.usc.edu. To ...

About The Study: In this cohort study of Canadian children and adolescents, childhood and adolescent depression symptoms were associated with impaired adult psychosocial functioning. Interventions should aim to screen and monitor children and adolescents for depression to inform policymaking regarding young adult mental health and psychosocial outcomes.  Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Marilyn N. Ahun, PhD, email marilyn.ahun@mcgill.ca. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/ (doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.25987) Editor’s ...

Parents shopping with their children in Berkeley, California, can now breathe a sigh of relief when they get to the checkout lane. Likewise, Berkeley shoppers looking for an impulse snack purchase now have healthy options at the checkout. That is because in March 2021, Berkeley became the world’s first city to implement a healthy checkout policy, which sets nutritional standards for store checkouts. Berkeley, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, has been followed by Perris, a small city in Southern California, as well the United Kingdom.  According to Berkeley’s policy, only the following products can be placed at checkout: ...

LOS ANGELES — A study from the USC Head and Neck Center, part of Keck Medicine of USC and the USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, suggests that cannabis, the most commonly used illicit substance worldwide, is associated with an increased occurrence of head and neck cancer.   A large, multicenter study published in JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery revealed that adults with cannabis dependence, known as cannabis use disorder, are 3.5 to 5 times more likely to develop head and neck cancer than those who do not use the substance.  “This ...

KTU M-Lab, the Centre of Experimental and Prototyping Laboratories at Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania, in cooperation with the company Nando Droid, is constructing first-person view (FPV) kamikaze drones, which are being sent to Ukraine and used in the war field. These drones are fitted with explosives that are activated when they hit an obstacle. Kaunas University of Technology students assembling the drones say that they are built to have a long flight range and the ability to carry a large payload. “The war in Ukraine is already being called a drone war. Without them, this war would be unimaginable. It saves many lives,” says the representative ...

As climate change continues to advance, the need for low-carbon, clean energy alternatives has become more urgent than ever. A research team at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) has developed a new generation of printable perovskite solar cells that offer higher efficiency and stability, lower cost and scalability, with a minimal carbon footprint. With funding support from the inaugural Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme (RAISe+ Scheme) of the Innovation and Technology Commission of the HKSAR government, the team aims to establish ...

Beijing (China) and Berlin (Germany) August 8, 2024 – Tsinghua University Press (TUP), the leading university press in China, and ResearchGate, the professional network for researchers, are delighted to announce a new Journal Home partnership that aims to increase the readership and visibility of TUP’s open access research. The agreement is the first of its kind with a Chinese publisher.   The agreement covers five fully open-access journals published by TUP through their platform, SciOpen, including research published in Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Materials, and Construction. In ...

INDIANAPOLIS -- Romantic relationships play an important part in adolescent development. Most young people have had at least one romantic relationship by middle adolescence (ages 14 to17). However, successful promotion of healthy sexual behavior to reduce risk of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections in this teen population has proven difficult. Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University Research Scientist Arthur Owora, PhD, MPH, a quantitative epidemiologist and applied biostatistician, is the first author of a new multi-site ...

Nearly a quarter of children with recurrent wheezing have “silent” lung infections that would be better treated with antiviral medications than commonly prescribed steroids that can carry lifelong side effects, new research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine reveals. Pediatric pulmonologist W. Gerald Teague, MD, was inspired to investigate after noting large numbers of children with stubborn wheezing cases referred from community providers and through the UVA Health Emergency Department.  Knowing that rhinoviruses – the main cause of the common cold – can trigger wheezing episodes, Teague wanted to see if there ...