Science & Technology
Who should receive preventive treatment for TB? Individuals of all ages with positive skin or blood test
Researcher found that exposed individuals with confirmed TB infection — i.e. a positive skin or blood test — should receive priority treatment in settings with a low prevalence of the disease, regardless of their age. However, in high-burden settings…
Chemists produce new-to-nature enzyme containing boron
Chemists created an enzyme with boronic acid at its reactive center. This approach can produce more selective reactions with boron, and allows the use of directed evolution to improve its catalytic power.
Neuropathy very common, underdiagnosed
Neuropathy, the nerve damage that causes pain and numbness in the feet and hands and can eventually lead to falls, infection and even amputation, is very common and underdiagnosed, according to a new study.
New insight into genesis of spina bifida
Spina bifida is the most common structural disorder of the human nervous system. The causes are largely unknown, but a new study points to a link involving a chromosomal microdeletion — and also underscores the value of folic acid as a preventive meas…
‘Wraparound’ implants represent new approach to treating spinal cord injuries
A tiny, flexible electronic device that wraps around the spinal cord could represent a new approach to the treatment of spinal injuries, which can cause profound disability and paralysis. A team of engineers, neuroscientists and surgeons developed the …
Strengthening CAR-T therapy to work against solid tumors
Researchers have shown that a breakthrough therapy for treating blood cancers can be adapted to treat solid tumors — an advance that could transform cancer treatment. The promising findings involve CAR-T cell therapy, which supercharges the immune sys…
Exercise, new drug class recommended for management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Experts released a new clinical guideline for effectively managing individuals diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The guideline reiterates the importance of collaborative decision-making with patients who have HCM and provides updated re…
Heavy snowfall and rain may contribute to some earthquakes
Episodes of heavy snowfall and rain likely contributed to a swarm of earthquakes over the past several years in northern Japan, researchers find. Their study shows climate conditions could initiate some earthquakes.
Human activity is making it harder for scientists to interpret oceans’ past
New research shows human activity is significantly altering the ways in which marine organisms are preserved, with lasting effects that can both improve and impair the fossil record.
Teens who view their homes as more chaotic than their siblings have poorer mental health in adulthood
Adolescents who view their households as more unstructured, disorganized, or hectic than their siblings develop more mental health and behavioral problems in early adulthood, according to new research.
A tailored vaccine could one day treat eczema in children
New research suggests a ‘tailored vaccine’ might hold the key to treating bacteria-driven flares of eczema in children. The team has taken several leaps forward in understanding how the immune response works in cases of eczema driven by the common, tro…
New study finds AI-generated empathy has its limits
Conversational agents (CAs) such as Alexa and Siri are designed to answer questions, offer suggestions — and even display empathy. However, new research finds they do poorly compared to humans when interpreting and exploring a user’s experience.
Climate resilience strategies in urban, rural areas
Local decision-makers looking for ways to reduce the impact of heat waves on their communities have a valuable new capability at their disposal: a new study on vegetation resilience. Scientists completed a study of how well vegetation survived extreme …
Pore pressure diffusion led to microseismicity at Illinois basin carbon sequestration site
Pore pressure diffusion generated by carbon dioxide injected underground at a carbon storage site in the Illinois Basin is the likely cause of hundreds of microearthquakes that took place at the site between 2011 and 2012, according to a new analysis.