New research suggests that microplastics in our oceans might be hundreds of thousands of times more abundant than current detection methods are reporting. Microplastic particles (MPs) are tiny fragments of plastic, less than 5mm. They result from both commercial production and the breakdown of larger plastics. One of the biggest sources is synthetic fabrics. Chemicals [...]
Conversational agents (CAs) like Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri are designed to answer questions, offer suggestions, and even display empathy. However, new research indicates that they fall short compared to humans in interpreting and exploring a user’s experience. CAs are powered by large language models (LLMs) that ingest massive amounts of human-produced data, and [...]
Recent research identifies “sharp wave-ripples” in the hippocampus as a brain mechanism that determines which daily experiences become permanent memories, with significant ripples during idle moments leading to memory consolidation during sleep. Neuroscientists have discovered over the past few decades that the brain converts some of daily experiences into lasting memories during sleep that [...]
The response to an updated vaccine is influenced by previous vaccinations but also produces broadly neutralizing antibodies. The COVID-19 pandemic has ended, yet the virus responsible continues to circulate, hospitalizing thousands weekly and frequently producing new variants. Due to the virus’s remarkable capacity for mutation and immune evasion, the World Health Organization (WHO) advises yearly updates to COVID-19 [...]
A new study conducted by the Wilhelm Lab at the University of Oklahoma examines a promising development in biomedical nanoengineering. Published in Advanced Materials, the study explores new findings on the transportation of cancer nanomedicines into solid tumors. A frequent misconception about many malignant solid tumors is that they are comprised only of cancerous cells. However, solid tumors [...]
An electrochemical process developed at Georgia Tech could offer new protection against bacterial infections without contributing to growing antibiotic resistance. The approach capitalizes on the natural antibacterial properties of copper and creates incredibly small needle-like structures on the surface of stainless steel to kill harmful bacteria like E. coli and Staphylococcus. It's convenient and [...]
A new study indicates that face masks did not significantly lower Covid-19 infection risk after the initial Omicron wave, highlighting the need for adaptable strategies and further research as risk factors evolve. New findings from the University of East Anglia suggest that wearing face masks did not reduce the risk of Covid infection after the initial [...]
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have mapped a molecular pathway in human breast and lung cells that could lead to excessive genome duplication, a hallmark of cancer cells. The findings, recently published in the journal Science, reveal what goes wrong when a group of molecules and enzymes trigger and regulate what’s known as the “cell cycle,” the [...]
In emergency rooms and intensive care units nationwide, healthcare professionals must quickly decide on antibiotics for patients suspected of having severe infections. A recent study from the University of Michigan indicates that these rapid decisions could lead to unexpected effects on patient outcomes. Beginning in 2015, a 15-month national shortage of a commonly prescribed antibiotic, piperacillin/tazobactam, [...]
A team of experts, including Monash University researchers, has developed a new technique to implement quantum-safe digital signatures twenty times faster, resulting in speedier and safer online transactions than ever before. The research, published recently in IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems, is the first to develop a much faster way to implement Falcon—a post-quantum [...]
