Scientists recalculate the optimum binding energy for heterogeneous catalysis

Determining the optimal binding energies for heterogeneous chemical reactions—usually meaning that the reactant is in the gas or liquid phase while the catalyst is a solid—is critical for many aspects of modern society, as we rely on such reactions for processes as diverse as the production of fertilizers and plastics. There is an optimal binding energy—meaning the degree of interaction between the reactants and the catalyst—where the process is most efficient (if it is too low, the reactants will not react with the catalyst, and if it is too high they will remain bound to it), and catalysts are designed based on this.

Region, age, and sex decide who gets arthritis-linked 'fabella' knee bone

The once-rare 'fabella' bone has made a dramatic resurgence in human knees, but who's likely to have a fabella or two—and why?

Big data technique reveals previously unknown capabilities of common materials

When scientists and engineers discover new ways to optimize existing materials, it paves the way for innovations that make everything from our phones and computers to our medical equipment smaller, faster, and more efficient.

New clinical research offers possibility of future rehabilitation for patients in vegetative, minimally conscious state

Non-invasive brain stimulation is to be trialled for the first time alongside advanced brain imaging techniques in patients who are minimally conscious or in a vegetative state.

Researchers bring us one step closer to universal influenza vaccine

The scourge of the influenza virus devastates health and claims many lives worldwide each year. It is especially daunting because vaccines are only protective when they are well matched to the strains circulating in the population. But now, a team led by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is getting closer to a universal flu vaccine using a novel approach they've developed called chimeric hemagglutinin (cHA).

Researchers quantify limitations of health reports from direct-to-consumer genetic tests

Health reports from direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests that use a limited variant screening approach often yield clinical false-negative results, which pose the risk of informing health care decisions based on incomplete information, according to findings presented at the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) 2019 Annual Meeting in Houston, Texas.

Development dilemma as eastern Greenland eyes tourism boost

Kayaking past blue-white icebergs drifting along near a pristine harbour, wandering around colourful houses or trekking in the snow-capped wilderness: July and August are high season for tourists in eastern Greenland.

China propaganda app fraught with security concerns: report

A widely downloaded Chinese propaganda app that quizzes users on Communist Party heroes and military achievements may be "studying them right back" through data collection and potential security breaches, an internet freedom campaign group says.

Opioid industry presses for settlement as trial looms

With a trial looming, major drug distributors and manufacturers are pressing to settle thousands of claims against them related to the nation's persistent opioid crisis.

California earthquake alerts to become available statewide

Earthquake early warning alerts will become publicly available throughout California for the first time this week, potentially giving people time to protect themselves from harm, the Governor's Office of Emergency Services said Wednesday.

Groups: Saving Mexican gray wolves requires new approach

Dozens of environmental groups and scientists are asking U.S. wildlife managers to rethink how they plan to ensure the survival of Mexican gray wolves in the American Southwest.

Old friends and new enemies: How evolutionary history can predict insect invader impacts

About 450 nonnative, plant-eating insect species live in North American forests. Most of these critters are harmless, but a handful wreak havoc on their new environment, attacking trees and each year causing more than $70 billion in damage.

Researchers develop mouse model of human gene involved in Alzheimer's disease

In research that helps scientists better understand and explore treatments for diseases like Alzheimer's, scientists have developed a line of mice in which the mouse version of the Alzheimer's-associated MAPT gene has been fully replaced by the human version of the gene. In this new animal model, known as a full gene-replacement model, the MAPT gene will function the same way it does in humans, allowing researchers to more accurately develop and evaluate genetic therapies. The research was presented at the American Society of Human Genetics 2019 Annual Meeting in Houston, Texas.

Beyond signaling risk, blood pressure and obesity causally related to lifespan

Researchers are exploring the cause and effect relationships between common health indicators and lifespan, by analyzing polygenic risk scores (PRS), a numerical score of a person's risk for disease based on multiple genetic variants. Saori Sakaue, MD, a Ph.D. candidate at Osaka University, and her mentor Professor Yukinori Okada, recently showed that in addition to signaling inherited risk of a disease, PRS revealed that blood pressure and obesity are themselves causally related to lifespan. The research was presented at the American Society of Human Genetics 2019 Annual Meeting in Houston, Texas.

Preclinical research helps explain why fatty livers are more susceptible to cancer

Fatty liver disease is contributing to an increase in liver cancer and basic scientists at The University of Texas Health Science at Houston (UTHealth) have new insight as to why.

Information theory as a forensics tool for investigating climate mysteries

During Earth's last glacial period, temperatures on the planet periodically spiked dramatically and rapidly. Data in layers of ice of Greenland and Antarctica show that these warming events—called Dansgaard-Oeschger and Antarctic Isotope Maximum events—occurred at least 25 times. Each time, in a matter of decades, temperatures climbed 5-10 degrees Celsius, then cooled again, gradually. While there remain several competing theories for the still-unexplained mechanisms behind these spikes, a new paper in the journal Chaos suggests that mathematics from information theory could offer a powerful tool for analyzing and understanding them.

Frequent drinking is greater risk factor for heart rhythm disorder than binge drinking

Drinking small amounts of alcohol frequently is linked with a higher likelihood of atrial fibrillation than binge drinking, according to research published today in EP Europace, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

New effective vaccines for Lyme disease are coming

There is no effective vaccine currently available to prevent Lyme disease in humans.

Study suggests why some US football players have higher cardiovascular risk

Research has shown that while elite athletes overall are at decreased risk of death from cardiovascular problems, a certain group of athletes—football linemen in the United States—actually have higher risk than the general population than other elite athletes. A study published today in JAMA Cardiology ties that increased risk to the rapid weight gain players undergo during early training and provides the first longitudinal look at players throughout their college careers.

Mathematical modelling vital to tackling disease outbreaks

Predicting and controlling disease outbreaks would be easier and more reliable with the wider application of mathematical modelling, according to a new study.

New strategy to treat Parkinson's disease

Northwestern Medicine scientists have used patient-derived neurons to develop and test a new strategy to treat Parkinson's disease by mitigating the effects of harmful genetic mutations, as detailed in a study published today (Oct. 16) in Science Translational Medicine.

Blood-collection device makes radiation testing quick and easy

A University of Arizona College of Medicine—Phoenix research team has developed a blood self-collection device to quickly estimate a person's exposure to radiation in the event of a nuclear accident or attack.

E-cigarettes may help more than 50,000 smokers to stop smoking in England each year

A new study published today by the scientific journal Addiction found a positive link between the number of people in England giving up smoking when using e-cigarettes to try and quit.