UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As the number of major utility-scale ground solar panel installations grows, concerns about their impacts on natural hydrologic processes also have grown. However, a new study by Penn State researchers suggests that excess runoff or increased erosion can be easily mitigated — if these “solar farms” are properly built. Solar panels are impervious to water, and vast arrays of them, it was feared, could increase the volume and velocity of stormwater runoff similar ...

Researchers from Drexel’s College of Medicine have identified new drugs that show early success in shrinking breast cancer tumors that have metastasized in the brain. The discovery marks the first time that targeting a key metabolic enzyme in cancer cells in the brain has shrunk tumors in a mouse model. The findings, which could develop into more effective therapies for breast cancer brain metastases, were recently published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology. Brain tumor growth depends on converting an energy source for the brain known as acetate, to acetyl-CoA — a molecule involved in biochemical reactions in carbohydrates, ...

While poring over nearly century-old photos documenting the University of Cincinnati’s historic excavation at Troy, archivist Jeff Kramer was struck by just how many people worked behind the scenes for years to contribute to its success. The archivist and research associate in UC’s Department of Classics created a digital archive of pictures and documents from UC archaeologist Carl Blegen’s influential 1930s project that identified nine periods of reconstruction and evidence of a great battle and fiery devastation that some historians said was suggestive of the ransacking of Troy. But ...

Electronics have evolved over the years to supersede simply enhancing day-to-day life to becoming almost seamlessly integrated with daily life. People have become accustomed to wearable electronics, but what about stretchable ones? There is a growing demand for this type of technology, but the current methods are not easily scalable for mass production to make these devices available to the public. However, mass development may be possible using the roll-to-roll (R2R) process, which prints various layers on a flexible rolled substrate, cutting out the manual nature of the process. By rolling this type of electronic out into the market, the possibility for stretchable electronics and even ...

Delving into the nuances of plant nutrition, researchers have discovered that the form of nitrogen intake profoundly affects the efficiency of photosynthesis in plants. This pivotal finding sheds light on how plants process and utilize nitrogen, offering critical insights for enhancing crop productivity and optimizing nitrogen use in agriculture. Photosynthesis efficiency in plants is influenced by the type of nitrogen absorbed. Ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) are the primary nitrogen sources, each affecting plant physiology differently. Variations in leaf anatomy, such as cell wall thickness and chloroplast number, play a crucial role in ...

A pioneering study has unlocked the potential of hydrogen nanobubbles to significantly augment the antioxidant content in tomatoes. This innovative irrigation technique not only fortifies the fruit with higher concentrations of health-boosting compounds but also opens new avenues for enhancing the nutritional value of agricultural produce. The research provides a blueprint for leveraging hydrogen's unique properties to combat oxidative stress and promote a healthier diet. Tomatoes are a key source ...

A new tool that can be used to predict the emergence of unusually large and unpredictable waves at sea — known as rogue waves — up to five minutes into the future is presented in a study published in Scientific Reports. The authors suggest that the tool could be used to issue advance warnings to ships and offshore platforms to enable those working on them to seek shelter, perform emergency shutdowns, or manoeuvre to minimise the impacts of approaching rogue waves. The tool developed by Thomas Breunung and Balakumar Balachandran consists of a neural network that has been trained ...

About The Study: In this population-level study of National Center for Health Statistics databases, neonatal, early neonatal, and infant mortality rates did not increase during the initial COVID-19 pandemic period. However, associations were observed between the pandemic period social distancing measures and higher rates of neonatal and early neonatal mortality, as well as preterm birth rate with a lag period, suggesting the importance of monitoring infant health outcomes following pandemic-related population behavior changes.  Corresponding ...

About The Study: The results of this study showed that nurses reported improved workplace conditions in the 2023 vs the 2022 survey; however, planned departure rates, abusive or violent events, and unsafe conditions remained high, and understaffing remained a primary concern for most nurses. Health system leaders and policymakers should prioritize initiatives that support nurse retention and reduce potential workforce instability.  Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Christopher ...

About The Study: In this cohort study of mother-child dyads, adherence to a healthy prenatal dietary pattern was associated with a lower odds of autism diagnosis and social communication difficulties but not restrictive and repetitive behaviors.  Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Ruth Dundas, M.Sc., email ruth.dundas@glasgow.ac.uk. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/ (doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.22815) Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author ...

About The Study: The findings of this study suggest that different digital interventions can be used as supplemental or adjunctive tools within health care systems and may support patients during waiting list–related delays in care. Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Adam G. Horwitz, Ph.D., email ahor@umich.edu. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/ (doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.22115) Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and ...

The recent surge in people seeking mental health care across the country has led to long wait times for first appointments with therapists and psychiatrists. Now, a new study offers hope that while they wait to get care, patients could still get some relief by using evidence-based smartphone apps and wearable devices to track sleep and activity. The study shows that depression and anxiety symptoms, and suicidality, all decreased measurably when patients were assigned to mobile applications that incorporated mindfulness practices, cognitive-behavioral therapy skills, or prompts that encouraged ...

A landmark study has successfully decoded the complete ginseng genome, unveiling the genetic mechanisms that govern saponin biosynthesis. This detailed genetic map illuminates the evolutionary and metabolic pathways of Panax ginseng, a staple in traditional medicine. This pivotal discovery promises to drive forward breeding initiatives and augment the plant's medicinal qualities, unlocking new possibilities for therapeutic applications. Ginseng's role in traditional medicine is underscored by its complex genetic structure due to its allotetraploid nature. The study delves into this complexity, revealing key evolutionary insights into ...

In a remarkable twist of evolutionary adaptation, the rare Tibetan cypress, Cupressus gigantea, has shown unexpected genetic resilience. Despite facing the brink of extinction due to climate change and habitat loss, the species has experienced a significant reduction in harmful genetic mutations. This discovery sheds new light on the complex interplay between genetic diversity and population decline, challenging conventional understandings of genetic load in endangered species. Conifers, including Cupressus species, are ecologically and culturally significant, but many are threatened by climate change and human activities. ...

(WASHINGTON, July 18, 2024) – In female patients living with sickle cell disease (SCD), hydroxyurea had no effect on ovarian reserve, suggesting that fertility preservation measures prior to treatment may be unnecessary, according to a study published in Blood Advances. SCD is the most common inherited red blood cell disorder in the United States, affecting an estimated 100,000 people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), SCD affects one out of every 365 Black or African American births and one out ...

CHICAGO — July 18, 2024  — The 65th Supplement to the American Ornithological Society’s (AOS’s) Check-list of North American Birds, published today in Ornithology, includes several updates to the classifications of bird species found in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.  A few highlights from this year’s supplement, detailed below, include species splits for Troglodytes aedon (House Wren) and Tyto alba (Barn Owl); a lumping of Acanthis flammea (Common Redpoll), Acanthis ...

Rockville, MD – July 18, 2024 The National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) announced new Board of Directors members today who both have been long-term supporters of the organization: Silas Deane, Vice President, Tyler Technologies, and Dr. Padmakumar Kaimal, previous Vice President of Technology Alliance & Business Development at Suven Life Sciences. The areas of expertise and leadership they bring to NFCR signify a pivotal moment for the organization working to advance the mission of providing new areas of hope and solutions for cancer patients worldwide. Silas Deane has extended expertise in technology, healthcare, government relations, ...

Fukuoka, Japan — On 17 July 2024, the British Academy held its Annual General Meeting, where Koji Mizoguchi, Professor of Archaeology at Kyushu University's Faculty of Social and Cultural Studies, was elected as an International Fellow. He is the first Japanese archaeologist and the first researcher from Kyushu University to receive this honor. Founded in 1902, the British Academy aims to deepen and share understanding of people, societies, and cultures across time and place, enabling ...

A naturally occurring peptide called PEPITEM could potentially rejuvenate the immune response in older individuals and protect against 'inflammageing', which is widely believed to be the root cause of many age-related diseases. The study, published today in the journal npj Aging, raises the exciting possibility of a protective agent that could dampen age-related inflammation and restore normal immune function in older adults. PEPITEM (Peptide Inhibitor of Trans-Endothelial Migration) was initially identified at the University ...

WOODS HOLE, Mass. -- A group of small, freshwater animals protect themselves from infections using antibiotic recipes “stolen” from bacteria, according to new research  by a team from the University of Oxford, the University of Stirling and the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), Woods Hole.  The tiny creatures are called bdelloid rotifers, which means ‘crawling wheel-animals’. They have a head, mouth, gut, muscles and nerves like other animals, though they are smaller than a hair’s breadth. When these rotifers are exposed to fungal infection, the study found, ...

In a report published in Nature Cell Biology, researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, the University of Manitoba and collaborating institutions revealed an unexpected way in which the protein OTX2 drives the progression of medulloblastoma – the most common aggressive childhood brain cancer. The findings suggest that targeting OTX2 or its effects can have therapeutic relevance. “We see medulloblastoma stem cells as the root of the disease. The tumors develop from these cells early during development of the cerebellum, the brain region ...

Deliveries are getting faster than ever in the U.S., but the faster movement of goods is undercutting the country’s climate progress.  In a new study published July 18 in the journal Nature Energy, a CU Boulder researcher and his collaborator estimate that federal regulations aimed at enhancing heavy-duty trucks’ energy efficiency could be as much as 20% less effective than policymakers initially anticipated.  That’s because the regulations make trucking cheaper. As a result, more shippers will likely switch from using less energy-intensive rail transportation to using more energy-intensive trucks to ship goods.   “We ...

Northwestern University-led researchers have discovered a new way that nature cycles phosphorus, a finding that uncovers a missing piece of Earth’s puzzling phosphorus cycle. The research will be published on Thursday (July 18) in the journal Nature Communications. A critical nutrient for plant growth, phosphorus is a non-negotiable component of fertilizers. Without it, farmers cannot ensure plant health and boost crop yields. Understanding Earth’s phosphorus cycle, therefore, is important for protecting the global food supply. Although ...

Milano, 18 luglio 2024 – A new study published in the journal PNAS Nexus reveals how social media algorithms favor politically sponsored content from certain parties given the same investment budget. The research, a collaboration between the Politecnico di Milano, LMU – Ludwig Maximilians Universität of Munich, and the CENTAI institute of Turin, analyzed over 80,000 political ads on Facebook and Instagram before the 2021 German federal elections. These ads were placed by parties across the political spectrum and generated over 1.1 billion impressions during an election with more than 60 million eligible voters. Investigating ...

IOP Publishing (IOPP) is launching the world’s first series of open access journals dedicated to the application and development of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) for the sciences. The new multidisciplinary Machine Learning series will collectively cover applications of ML and AI across the physical sciences, engineering, biomedicine and health, and environmental and earth science.  Building on the successful launch of Machine Learning: Science and Technology in 2019, IOPP’s Machine Learning series will expand to include three new ...