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MicroRNAs may play a role in COVID-19
New research published in the Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine indicates that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, produces microRNAs that can have impacts on infected cells. MicroRNAs are genetic molecules that prevent the production of particular proteins by binding to and destroying messenger RNAs that code for those proteins.
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Can genetic tests predict children's risk of developing scoliosis?
In a study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, investigators developed and validated a genetic risk score for predicting the onset and severity of the most common type of scoliosis in adolescents--called adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).
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Insights on the link between chronic stress and Alzheimer's disease
Chronic psychosocial stress--which involves a pathway called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis)--may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease. A new review published in Biological Reviews describes how environmental and genetic factors can impact individuals' HPA axis, and ultimately their risk of Alzheimer's disease.
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Do hormonal contraceptives impact glaucoma risk?
Women who currently use hormonal contraceptives face more than a 2-fold higher risk of developing glaucoma, according to an analysis of electronic medical records for women aged 15-45 years from 2008 to 2018. The British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology analysis included 2,366 women who developed glaucoma and 9,464 controls.
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Cities 'must become car-free to survive'
UCL experts have created a mathematical model of urban car use, and have concluded that current levels of city car use are unsustainable as populations grow.
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Natural hazards threaten 57% of US structures
More than half of the structures in the contiguous United States are exposed to potentially devastating natural hazards such as floods, tornadoes and wildfires. Increasing temperatures and environmental changes contribute to this trend, according to a new study in the AGU journal Earth's Future.
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New report highlights best practices for sustainable rural infrastructure
A new report on the ecology of rural roads describes how low-volume roads provide critical services, but require extensive planning to prevent detrimental effects on air, water and wildlife.
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Study reveals agriculture-related injuries more numerous than previously known
A new study by Penn State researchers, who looked at emergency room admissions across the US over a recent five-year period in a novel way, suggests that the agriculture industry is even more dangerous than previously believed.
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WVU research finds 'excess deaths' in Amish and Mennonite communities during pandemic
New research from WVU sociologists suggests that the Amish population saw "excess deaths" in 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers theorize distrust in preventative medicine and history of religious persecution played a role in the death spike.
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Parental monitoring and consistency in adolescence can reduce young Black men's likelihood of criminal behavior
New research examined the effect of different parenting styles during adolescence on crime among African American men. The study found that parenting styles characterized by little behavioral control placed youth at significant risk for adult crime, even though some of those styles included high levels of nurturance. In contrast, youth whose parents monitored them, were consistent in their parenting, and had high levels of behavioral control were at lowest risk for adult crime.
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Nightside radio could help reveal exoplanet details
Rice University scientists enhance models that could be used to detect magnetosphere activity on exoplanets. The Rice model adds data from nightside activity that could increase signals by at least an order of magnitude.
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Study provides MIS-C treatment guidance
An analysis conducted by a group of investigators including Tamara Bradford, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, found that children and adolescents with Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) initially treated with intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) plus glucocorticoids had a lower risk of new or persistent cardiovascular dysfunction than IVIG alone.
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Foreign-born status, but not acquired US citizenship, protects many immigrants from criminal victimization
Until recently, data on criminal victimization did not include information on the status--immigrant or citizen--of respondents. In a recent study, researchers used new data that include respondents' status to explore the association between citizenship status and risk of victimization. They found that for many, a person's foreign-born status, but not their acquired U.S. citizenship, protects against criminal victimization.
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Sound-induced electric fields control the tiniest particles
Engineers at Duke University have devised a system for manipulating particles approaching the miniscule 2.5 nanometer diameter of DNA using sound-induced electric fields. Dubbed "acoustoelectronic nanotweezers," the approach provides a label-free, dynamically controllable method of moving and trapping nanoparticles over a large area. The technology holds promise for applications in the fields ranging from condensed matter physics to biomedicine.
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Advancing research on environmentally friendly, hydrogen-enriched fuel
As you drive down the highway, you may notice an increasing number of hybrid and electric vehicles. Alternative energy automobiles are on the rise contributing to the global effort to reduce carbon emissions. As we move together down this road, researchers are looking to determine new solutions to this ongoing problem.
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Atmospheric water vapor in the city of Tel Aviv is suitable for drinking
The study was conducted in the city of Tel Aviv and found that the atmospheric water vapor in the city is suitable for drinking. The researchers: The Earth's atmosphere is a vast renewable source of water, which can serve as an alternative drinking water resource.
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Health care leaders call for national focus on preventing hospital-acquired pneumonia
A group of health care leaders, including a University of Massachusetts Amherst nurse innovator, has published a national call to action to prevent non-ventilator-associated, hospital-acquired pneumonia (NVHAP).
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Salton Sea aerosol exposure triggers unique and mysterious pulmonary response
Communities surrounding the Salton Sea, the inland body of water straddling California's Riverside and Imperial counties, show high rates of asthma due, possibly, to high aerosol dust levels resulting from the sea shrinking over time. Scientists suspect, however, the Salton Sea plays an additional role in pulmonary health. A University of California, Riverside study performed on mice has found Salton Sea aerosol turns on nonallergic inflammation genes and may also promote lung inflammation.
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Making our computers more secure
Columbia Engineering researchers who are leading experts in computer security recently presented two major papers on memory safety that make computer systems more secure at the International Symposium on Computer Architecture. This new research, which has zero to little effect on system performance, is already being used to create a processor for the Air Force Research Lab.
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Songbirds and humans share some common speech patterns
If you listen to songbirds, you will recognize repeated melodies or phrases. Each phrase is made up of distinct sounds, strung together. A study from researchers at McGill University has found that the song phrases of many songbird species follow patterns that are similar to those used in human speech. At least in some respects.
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