Health

According to a new study, the composition of beneficial microorganisms within the mouth differs over a range of subsistence strategies -- from nomadic hunter gatherers to farmers to industrialized groups. Lifestyle can shape the composition of beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms within the mouth, according to a new study led by Penn State biologists. The

A new method can test the activity of thousands of RNA enzymes, called ribozymes, in a single experiment. The "RNA world" hypothesis proposes that the earliest life on Earth may have been based on RNA -- a single-stranded molecule similar in many ways to DNA -- like some modern viruses. This is because, like DNA

Physicists have investigated to which extent a piece of music can evoke expectations about its progression. They were able to determine differences in how far compositions of different composers can be anticipated. In total, the scientists quantitatively analyzed more than 550 pieces from classical and jazz music. Physicists at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics

How do you electrify a populous city's transit without destabilizing its grid? New research into Beijing's 27,000-bus system explores using depots to generate a solar power. When it comes to fighting climate change, electric buses are a triple threat: they encourage energy-efficient levels of urban population density; take dozens of polluting vehicles off the street;

When performing a knee replacement surgery or total knee arthroplasty, doctors traditionally try to align the hip, knee, and ankle in a straight line, forming a neutral alignment, rather than replicating the patient's original alignment. To understand which approach is better, researchers have conducted a post-operation questionnaire comparing patient-reported outcomes to changes in knee alignment

A new study has found that overnight eating may be putting night shift workers at higher risk of chronic health conditions. A new Australian study published in Diabetologiathis week has found that overnight eating may be putting night shift workers at higher risk of chronic health conditions. Led by researchers from the University of South

Researchers employed analysis tools and machine learning algorithms to identify two genes linked to rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis that could serve as diagnostic tools and potential targets for treatments. Drawing from a large database of genetic information, they gathered dozens of sequenced genomes from people with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis to look for any similarities

Slightly overweight stroke survivors have a lower risk of sustaining disabilities. New research adds another aspect to the obesity paradox but also highlights the importance of considering the population's normal when recommending best practices. Slightly overweight stroke survivors have a lower risk of sustaining disabilities. The Kobe University finding adds another aspect to the obesity

Researchers used an electrophysiological computer model of the heart's electrical circuits to examine the effect of the applied voltage field in multiple fibrillation-defibrillation scenarios. They discovered far less energy is needed than is currently used in state-of-the-art defibrillation techniques. The authors applied an adjoint optimization method and discovered adjusting the duration and the smooth variation

Being a scientist has its challenges. Knowing how to communicate your scientific research in a socially responsible manner can be even more difficult. Thankfully, researchers have identified some of the trade-offs and communication strategies that environmental health scientists can use to communicate more effectively. Being a scientist has its challenges. Knowing how to communicate your

Thanks to a 'natural experiment' involving 30,000 people, researchers were able to determine very precisely what an extra year of education does to the brain in the long term. To their surprise, they found no effect on brain structure and no protective benefit of additional education against brain aging. Thanks to a 'natural experiment' involving

Researchers are warning that artificial intelligence tools gaining popularity in the fields of genetics and medicine can lead to flawed conclusions about the connection between genes and physical characteristics, including risk factors for diseases like diabetes. University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers are warning that artificial intelligence tools gaining popularity in the fields of genetics and medicine