Using a few zaps of electricity to the skin, researchers can stop bacterial infections without using any drugs. For the first time, researchers designed a skin patch that uses imperceptible electric currents to control microbes. The results appear October 24 in the Cell Press journal Device. “This opens up exciting possibilities for drug-free treatments, especially for skin infections and wound healing, where antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a serious challenge,” says University of Chicago’s Bozhi Tian, one of the paper’s ...

About The Study: These interim findings demonstrate the feasibility of targeted interpretation of a predefined set of genes from genome sequencing in a population of different racial and ethnic groups. DNA sequencing offers an additional method to improve screening for conditions already included in newborn screening and to add those that cannot be readily screened because there is no biomarker currently detectable in dried blood spots. Additional studies are required to understand if these findings are generalizable to populations of different racial and ethnic groups and ...

Early results from a study of newborn screening methods show that DNA analysis picks up many more preventable or treatable serious health conditions than standard newborn screening and is favored by most parents who are offered the option. The study—called GUARDIAN—is one of the first large-scale studies in the world to use genome sequencing as a method for newborn screening and is the first to publish preliminary results.  “The results show us that genome sequencing can radically improve children’s medical care,” says Joshua Milner, professor of Pediatrics, director of Allergy/Immunology and Rheumatology ...

About The Study: In this cohort study, non-Hispanic Black race was associated with increased odds of not receiving guideline-concordant care (GCC) and less timely treatment initiation. Non-Hispanic Black race was associated with increased all-cause mortality, which was reduced after adjusting for GCC and clinical and sociodemographic factors. These findings suggest that optimizing timely receipt of GCC may represent a modifiable pathway to improving inferior survival outcomes among older non-Hispanic Black ...

About The Study: This cross-sectional study found that absolute concentrations of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine in urine specimens increased from 2013 to 2023, with a decrease in heroin concentration during that period. The findings suggest that exposure to these substances, as well as the illicit drug supply, has fundamentally changed in many parts of the U.S., highlighting the need to reinforce surveillance initiatives and accelerate efforts to treat individuals with illicitly manufactured fentanyl and/or stimulant exposure.  Corresponding Author: To ...

Scientists at the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA have developed a first-of-its-kind experimental therapy that has the potential to enhance heart repair following a heart attack, preventing the onset of heart failure. Cardiovascular disease continues to be the world’s leading cause of death, contributing to one-third of deaths annually. After a heart attack, the heart’s innate ability to regenerate is limited, causing the muscle to develop scars to maintain its structural integrity. ...

HOUSTON ― Researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated that anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy in combination with mutation-directed targeted therapy extended overall survival (OS) in patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC). Findings from the Phase II single center study published today in JAMA Oncology.  The trial enrolled 42 patients across three cohorts to evaluate mutation-matched targeted therapy and the immune checkpoint inhibitor atezolizumab. The median OS across all cohorts was 19 months, which compares favorably to historical OS of five months for patients with ATC. ...

Producing materials such as steel, plastics and cement in the United States alone inflicts $79 billion a year in climate-related damage around the world, according to a new study by engineers and economists at the University of California, Davis. Accounting for these costs in market prices could encourage progress toward climate-friendly alternatives.  “We wanted to look at the cost to society to produce these materials,” said Elisabeth Van Roijen, a recent Ph.D. graduate from the UC Davis Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering ...

On-demand ride services or ride-sourcing services have been experiencing fast development and steadily reshaping the way people travel in the past decade. Various optimization algorithms, including reinforcement learning approaches, have been developed to help ride-sourcing platforms design better operational strategies to achieve higher efficiency. However, due to cost and reliability issues, it is commonly infeasible to validate these models and train/test these optimization algorithms within real-world ride-sourcing platforms. Acting as a proper test bed, a simulation platform for ride-sourcing systems will thus be essential for both ...

A team of researchers has undertaken a study of the future of carbon anodes for lithium-ion batteries. Their review provides a comprehensive overview of the progression in carbon anode development and the current status of their industrialization. This study underscores the critical role of interphase regulation engineering in advancing lithium-ion battery technology.   Their research is published in the journal Carbon Future on September 24, 2024.   Today, graphite is the most commonly used material for anodes in lithium-ion batteries. Graphite can operate at a low voltage, is readily available, and cost effective. While graphite materials ...

WASHINGTON — Researchers have developed a faster and more accurate method for acquiring and reconstructing high-quality 3D surface measurements. The approach could greatly improve the speed and accuracy of surface measurements used for industrial inspection, medical applications, robotic vision and more. “Traditional 3D imaging works by comparing two viewpoints, similar to how our eyes work together to judge depth,” said research team leader Ce Zhu from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. “In contrast, our new approach ‘feels’ the surface by projecting light ...

Background and Aims Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) is a key factor in ferroptosis, which is involved in ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, little is known about its role in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI). This study aimed to investigate the role of GPX4 methylation in ferroptosis during HIRI.   Methods For the in vivo experiments, an ischemia-reperfusion model was created by subjecting mice to simulated HIRI. Ferroptosis occurrence, GPX4 promoter methylation, and global methylation levels were then assessed.   Results Ferroptosis ...

A review paper by scientists at Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences summarized the progress of biointegrated flexible and stretchable optoelectronics for wearable and implantable cardiac healthcare. The new review paper, published on Oct. 18 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems, focuses on the advances in biointegrated flexible and stretchable optoelectronics for wearable and implantable cardiac healthcare systems. With the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, it is imperative that medical monitoring and treatment become more instantaneous and comfortable for ...

The Science and Science Careers’ 2024 Top Employers Survey polled employees in biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical, and related industries to determine the 20 best employers as well as their driving characteristics. Respondents to the web-based survey were asked to rate companies based on 24 characteristics, including innovative leadership, respect for employees, and social responsibility. Insmed, Bridgewater, New Jersey, receives the top honor this year in a ranking of the world’s most respected employers. The rankings, determined from a study conducted by an independent research firm commissioned by the Science/AAAS Office of Publishing, ...

It takes a lot to succeed with ambitious goals. Among other things, we need passion and belief that we will succeed, and we usually need support from others. However, we also need to have the right attitude – the right mindset, one that makes us willing to do what it takes to change and improve. Experts refer to it as a growth mindset. So, how do we know if we actually have the right mindset? How can a coach know if a talented athlete has the mindset needed to become one of the best? An individual’s mindset is influenced by external factors that can change, and it may also vary from day to ...

WASHINGTON—A vigorous workout does more to suppress hunger levels in healthy adults than does moderate exercise, and females may be especially susceptible to this response, according to a small study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society. The study examines the effects of exercise intensity on ghrelin levels and appetite between men and women. Ghrelin is known as the “hunger hormone” and is associated with perceptions of hunger. “We found that high intensity exercise suppressed ghrelin levels more than moderate intensity exercise,” said lead author Kara Anderson, Ph.D., of the University ...

PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA [October 24, 2024] — New research published online-ahead-of-print in JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network found that people with newly-diagnosed hormone receptor (HR)-negative, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer were more likely to receive timely, guideline-concordant treatment and have longer survival in states that participate in Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). A team of researchers—led by the American Cancer Society (ACS), and including Kathryn J. Ruddy, MD, MPH, of the Mayo Clinic ...

Decades after it was first found in Japan, a species of crustacean with unique black-and-white coloring that resembles a panda has been confirmed to be new to science. Melitid amphipods are shrimp-like crustaceans found worldwide. The newly classified Melita panda — named after the charismatic mammal — was first found in the 1990s. Details of the discovery and morphological analysis were published in a ZooKeys article on 21 September. The discovery of the Melita panda highlights the importance of studying species taxonomy, which is the naming and classification of organisms, for conservation efforts. It is impossible to know if a species is in ...

BOSTON (Oct. 24, 2024) – With the rise in incidence of food allergies in children in the past decade, there has been a corresponding increase in the need for professional psychology services due to increased anxiety. A new study being presented at this year’s American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston showed a more than 50% increase in psychology referrals at one center in 2023 compared to yearly referrals from 2018-2022. “Our center has devoted significant resources to address the psychosocial support needed by many families who have children with food allergies,” ...

BOSTON (Oct. 24, 2024) – Anaphylaxis can come on suddenly and without warning, and because its symptoms can be fatal, it is scary for those who encounter it. Two new studies being presented at this year’s American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston show it is not only patients and caregivers who misunderstand how best to treat anaphylaxis: emergency medical professionals often follow incorrect protocols for treating severe allergic reactions. “We know early recognition of anaphylaxis and treatment with epinephrine improves outcomes,” says Sasha Alvarado, DO, Co-Director of Quality ...

BOSTON (Oct. 24, 2024) – About 10% of Americans believe they are allergic to penicillin, and approximately 90% of those patients are not actually allergic. As a result, those with the penicillin allergy label are often prescribed more toxic, dangerous and expensive antibiotics that might not be necessary or effective. A new study being presented at this year’s American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston showed that syphilis patients labeled as penicillin allergic who are low risk should be delabeled to avoid treatment failure and other negative ...

BOSTON (Oct. 24, 2024) – In many cultures, it is common to burn incense for religious and cultural practices, including meditations, celebrations and spiritual and ancestral worship. A new medically challenging case being presented at this year’s American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston warns that, for those with allergies and asthma, health problems from burning incense can be a significant risk to adults and children. “Our patient was an 87-year-old woman with history of asthma and COPD, ...

BOSTON (Oct. 24, 2024) – Parents of children with atopic dermatitis (AD, also called eczema) know that the allergic condition can mean a heightened risk of developing food allergies. The desire to prevent food allergies causes some parents to consider elimination diets, cutting out certain foods from their child’s diet. A new study being presented at this year’s American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston showed that elimination diets in the case ...

BOSTON (Oct. 24, 2024) – Throughout the Covid pandemic, media widely reported that Black patients were more likely than White patients to refuse vaccines, including the influenza and Covid vaccines. A new study being presented at this year’s American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston showed that self-identified non-White patients were less likely to demonstrate vaccine-hesitancy than the self-identified White patient group. “We found ...

  BOSTON (Oct. 24, 2024) – Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), a disorder of the esophagus, is increasingly recognized as a major cause of swallowing difficulties in children and adults. It affects about one in 2,000 people and is part of a spectrum of allergic conditions. A new study being presented at this year’s American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston investigated the probability of patients with certain atopic (allergic) conditions developing EoE. “We did a separate analysis of four common allergic conditions – asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis and food allergy – to determine ...