Author: healthadmin

Listen to the audio version of this article (generated by AI).A new analysis links heavy use of the herbicide glyphosate to increased rates of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), particularly in the Midwest, confirming years of research linking cancer to the herbicide popularized by Monsanto. An analysis by Food & Water Watch (FWW), a nonprofit public health advocacy group, looked at the counties that spray the most glyphosate herbicides in the country, focusing on the top 20% of counties using glyphosate on commercial crops. The research group then overlaid that data with NHL incidence rates. In its findings, the group said 60%…

In the fairy tale of The Princess and the Pea, there is a story about a young royal who was so sensitive that he was able to find a small pea hidden under many mattresses. Something similar happens in biology when cells sense conditions far beyond what they are directly in contact with. Until recently, this remarkable ability was primarily associated with abnormal cells, such as cancer cells. New research shows that ordinary cells can accomplish similar feats by working together. Engineers from Washington University in St. Louis report their findings in a magazine PNAS. Their research reveals how cells…

Photocatalysis offers a promising way to convert vast amounts of sunlight into useful chemical energy. In particular, polyheptazine imide, which has structural and functional characteristics that are effective for photocatalytic reactions, is attracting attention. Until recently, scientists had limited insight into how changes in its structure affect its electronic and optical behavior across the many possible materials in this family. Researchers led by a team from the Center for Advanced System Understanding (CASUS) at Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) have introduced a reliable and reproducible theoretical approach to tackle this problem. Their predictions were verified through measurements on actual material samples.…

Elizabeth Cooney is STAT’s cardiovascular disease reporter, covering heart, stroke and metabolic diseases. You can reach Liz on Signal at LizC.22.The grieving family was gently reminded by medical professionals that their loved one wanted to donate his organs, and they left the hospital room. To do so, death must be declared. After a mandated pause, surgeons retrieve life-giving organs from people ranked in order of need on the transplant waiting list. What happens next depends on a series of branching events. First, how death is determined, then how organs are evaluated and cared for during transit between donor and recipient.…

The moist surfaces that line the inside of your body contain special molecules that protect you from microorganisms and prevent infections and inflammation. Among these protective molecules are lectins. Lectins are a group of proteins that identify microorganisms and other cells by binding to sugars on their surfaces. MIT researchers have identified one lectin that has particularly strong antimicrobial effects against bacteria living in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This protein, called intelectin-2, binds to sugar molecules on the bacterial membrane. This interaction traps bacteria and slows their growth. This protein can also bind components of mucus and strengthen the mucus…

Disasters are on the rise in one of the world’s most climate-sensitive deltas. The need for resilient housing is a major concern in Bangladesh.Amid various challenges, building models that promote sustainable building materials are emerging.Experts recommend having separate regional building codes for areas prone to certain climate changes.See all ideas that matter Bangladesh’s river network, which intersects low-lying areas, is subject to frequent floods, storm surges, river erosion, and frequent cyclones, making it vulnerable to climate change-related damage. The Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC) recorded 123 disaster events that caused large-scale displacement between 2008 and 2024, including approximately…

Researchers at the University of Missouri are developing a new way to determine which cancer patients are most likely to benefit from targeted therapy by irradiating tumors with medical scans. Barry Edwards, an associate professor of biochemistry at the School of Medicine, recently designed a very small antibody that looks for EphA2, a protein frequently present in cancer tumors. After creating the antibodies, they attached radioactive markers to visualize the molecules during positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Antibody “flashlight” illuminates cancer tumors In experiments with mice, Dr. Edwards showed that this cancer-detecting “flashlight” clearly illuminates tumors that produce EphA2. The…

Researchers at the University of New Mexico and Los Alamos National Laboratory have introduced a new computational approach designed to solve one of the most difficult problems in statistical physics. Their system, called the Tensors for High-Dimensional Object Representation (THOR) AI framework, uses tensor network algorithms to handle very large mathematical calculations known as constitutive integrals, along with the partial differential equations needed to analyze materials. These calculations are essential for predicting the thermodynamic and mechanical behavior of materials. To make the system more powerful, the researchers combined this framework with the potential of machine learning to capture how atoms…

Predicting volcanic eruptions early and alerting authorities and nearby communities remains one of the biggest challenges in volcanology. Research published in nature communications describes a new detection technique called “jerk” developed by researchers and engineers at the Paris Institute of Geophysics (IPGP) and the GFZ Helmholtz Center for Geosciences. This method utilizes a single broadband seismometer to detect highly subtle ground movements associated with magma intrusions deep underground. These weak signals can reveal the early stages of volcanic activity in real time. The researchers tested their method over a 10-year period at a volcanic observatory on La Réunion Island. During…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is generally considered a technology that aims to automate tasks and replace human labor. But new research from Swansea University offers a different perspective. The findings suggest that AI can also act as a creative collaborator that fosters exploration, engagement, and inspiration. Researchers from the university’s School of Computer Science conducted one of the largest studies to date investigating how people interact with AI during creative design work. More than 800 participants took part in an online experiment to design a virtual car using an AI-assisted system. How did AI generate diverse design ideas? Rather than quietly…