Abnormal gut bugs tied to worse cognitive performance in vets with PTSD and cirrhosis

A study involving military veterans with PTSD and cirrhosis of the liver points to an abnormal mix of bacteria in the intestines as a possible driver of poor cognitive performance—and as a potential target for therapy.

New topological insulator reroutes photonic 'traffic' on the fly

Topological insulators are a game-changing class of materials; charged particles can flow freely on their edges and route themselves around defects, but can't pass through their interiors. This perfect surface conduction holds promise for fast and efficient electronic circuits, though engineers must contend with the fact that the interiors of such materials are effectively wasted space.

Breaking the 'stalemate' in the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children

A phase 2 clinical trial has found that combining a molecular targeted drug called temsirolimus with chemotherapy shows promise in the treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma, the most common soft tissue sarcoma in childhood. The Children's Oncology Group trial was led by Leo Mascarenhas, MD, MS, Deputy Director of the Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Results were recently published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Battery icons shape perceptions of time and space and define user identities

New research from Cass Business School has found that battery icons on mobile phones shape how people view time and space, and how battery conservation practices define user identities.

More severe OSA leads to higher blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension

In patients with high blood pressure resistant to treatment who also have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the more severe their OSA, the higher their blood pressure, according to new research published online in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.

Studying flames in microgravity is helping make combustion on Earth cleaner, and space safer

Understanding how fire spreads and behaves in space is crucial for the safety of future astronauts and for understanding and controlling fire here on Earth.

Engineers develop 'blackest black' material to date

With apologies to "Spinal Tap," it appears that black can, indeed, get more black.

Over one-fifth of injured U.S. adult cyclists, mostly men, not wearing a helmet

Men and ethnic minorities are less likely to wear cycle helmets and more likely to suffer from head and neck injuries in accidents, according to new research published in Brain Injury.

Study offers verdict for China's efforts on coal emissions

Researchers from China, France and the U.S. have evaluated China's success in stemming emissions from its coal-fired power plants (CPPs).

Few people with peanut allergy tolerate peanut after stopping oral immunotherapy

Allergy to peanut, which is often severe, is one of the most common food allergies in the United States. Although previous studies have shown that peanut oral immunotherapy (OIT)—ingesting small, controlled amounts of peanut protein—can desensitize adults and children and prevent life-threatening allergic reactions, the optimal duration and dose is unknown. In a study that followed participants after OIT successfully desensitized them to peanut, discontinuing OIT or continuing OIT at a reduced dose led to a decline in its protective effects. The study, published online today in The Lancet, also found that several blood tests administered before OIT could predict the success of therapy. The Phase 2 study was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the NIH, and may inform who may benefit from peanut OIT and what changes in this experimental treatment should be implemented.

Innovative treatment to prevent common brain infection could save NHS 7 million pounds per year

An innovative solution used to prevent common brain infections in patients having surgery for hydrocephalus has been found to significantly reduce infection rates according to a report published in The Lancet today.

Heart attack patients take longer to call emergency when symptoms are gradual

Heart attack symptoms can be gradual or abrupt and both situations are a medical emergency. That's the main message of research published today in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

Google advertising practices targeted in antitrust probe

State attorneys general investigating whether Google is engaged in monopolistic behavior are planning to take a deep look into the tech giant's advertising business.

Yahoo Japan to acquire online fashion firm Zozo

Yahoo Japan said Thursday it will acquire a majority stake in the online fashion retailer Zozo founded by billionaire Yusaku Maezawa, known for buying pricey art and his space travel plans.

California law on rideshare drivers may hurt 'gig economy'

Labor activists Wednesday were celebrating California's move to have drivers treated as employees by rideshare firms even as it fueled concerns it will hurt digital platforms depending on the so-called "gig economy."

At NY Fashion Week, robotic dresses take on a life of their own

Fashion and technology have often gone hand in hand, improving supply chains and bringing the world's runways to the masses, but at this week's shows in New York, robotic designs took center stage.

Beijing to exit 200 most polluted cities list

Beijing's notoriously bad air quality has improved in recent years and the Chinese capital is expected to drop out of a list of 200 most polluted cities in the world this year, a data provider said Thursday.

Oil spill adds to list of Dorian-induced woes in Bahamas

The air smells like fuel, the ground is covered in a black paste-like substance and the residents of Grand Bahama are afraid.

Leonardo da Vinci's mechanical lion goes on display in Paris

Leonardo da Vinci's famous mechanical lion on Wednesday went on display in Paris for a month, in a tribute to the Renaissance master 500 years after his death.

Uber vows to keep fighting sweeping California labor bill

California lawmakers confronting the changing definition of work approved sweeping legislation Wednesday designed to give many contract workers new pay and benefit protections, but tech giants Uber and Lyft vowed to keep fighting the changes, possibly by bankrolling an expensive fight on the 2020 ballot.

Strategies to connect with barricaded buyers

Researchers from Clemson University and University of Kentucky published a new paper in the Journal of Marketing, which examines several means by which suppliers can enhance their competitiveness when selling to barricaded buyers.

How marketers can shape customer sentiment during events

Researchers from University of Tennessee, IESEG School of Management, and Georgia State University published a new paper in the Journal of Marketing that investigates the role of firms' customer engagement initiatives in social media and analyzes how firms seek to influence digital sentiment by shaping customers' experiential interactions.

It takes a 'consortium': Researchers develop metabolic engineering technique

For years, scientists have explored ways to alter the cells of microorganisms in efforts to improve how a wide range of products are made—including medicines, fuels, and even beer. By tapping into the world of metabolic engineering, researchers have also developed techniques to create "smart" bacteria capable of carrying out a multitude of functions that impact processes involved in drug delivery, digestion, and even water decontamination.

Gene therapy helps functional recovery after stroke

A new gene therapy turns glial cells—abundant support cells in the brain—into neurons, repairing damage that results from stroke and significantly improving motor function in mice. A paper describing the new therapy, which uses the NeuroD1 gene, appears online in the journal Molecular Therapy. Once further developed, this NeuroD1-based gene therapy could potentially be used to treat stroke, which is a leading cause of disability in the U.S., with 800,000 new stroke patients every year.

UK improves cancer survival, but is still behind other high-income countries

Cancer survival in the UK has improved since 1995, although it still lags behind other high-income countries, according to new analysis by the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP), which is managed by Cancer Research UK.

Specialized training benefits young STEM researchers

The First-year Research Immersion (FRI) program at Binghamton University, State University of New York has proven that young college students are capable of leading real research. And according to a new study, students in FRI do better when the instructors who oversee their projects are provided extra training.

Enhancing the way epilepsy is managed by engaging community pharmacists

The University of Washington's School of Pharmacy announced on Thursday, Sept. 12, a collaboration with global biopharmaceutical company UCB to improve access to care for people living with epilepsy. This interdisciplinary project will explore ways in which community pharmacists can better support people living with this neurological disorder.

Electrical-first cardioversion strategy for AFib results in shorter ED length of stay

A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial confirms that both chemical-first and electrical-first approaches are effective strategies for acute atrial fibrillation; however, an electrical-first strategy results in a significantly shorter emergency department (ED) length of stay. The study findings are published in the September 2019 issue of Academic Emergency Medicine (AEM), a journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM).

Infant with deadly leukemia saved by drug for adult liver cancer

UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals have successfully treated a months-old infant with a rare childhood leukemia using a targeted therapy approved for adults with inoperable liver cancer and advanced kidney cancer.

Talking receptors may affect relaxin at work

Fibrosis, the damaging build-up of hardened or scarred tissue in the body, is a hallmark of various diseases and can lead to the dysfunction and failure of organs such as the heart and kidney. Fibrosis-related diseases in various organs contribute to around 45 per cent of deaths in developed countries.

Study finds genetic analysis can aid treatment of eosinophilic Esophagitis

Personalized medicine—where the proper medicine and proper dose are used for the individual patient—moved a step closer to reality for children suffering from eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an inflammation of the food pipe often caused by an allergic reaction to certain foods. The study, led by researchers from Nemours Children's Health System and published today in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition, suggests that a simple genetic test from a saliva sample may greatly boost response rates in children with eosinophilic esophagitis who are treated with a class of medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which are commonly prescribed to treat acid-related conditions.

Victims of physical or sexual assault should have better access to medical services

Victims of sexual and physical attacks should have greater access to specialist medical forensic examinations, even if they have not reported the offence to police, according to new research published in peer-reviewed journal Forensic Sciences Research.

Microplastics stunt growth of worms: study

New research shows that the presence of microplastics can stunt the growth of earthworms, and even cause them to lose weight—potentially having a serious impact on the soil ecosystem.