Birds breathe in dangerous plastics -- and so do we

Microscopic plastic pollutants drifting through the air are lodging in the lungs of birds, a new study finds. Researchers worldwide are increasingly alarmed by how pervasive these harmful particles are in the air humans breathe and the food they eat.

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Associative learning: Primary school children outperform all other age groups

The ability to make the connection between an event and its consequences -- experts use the term associative learning -- is a crucial skill for adapting to the environment. It has a huge impact on our mental health. A study shows that children of primary school age demonstrate the highest learning performance in this area. The results pave the way for a fresh perspective on associative learning disorders, which are linked to the development of mental illness later in life.

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A protein from tiny tardigrades may help cancer patients tolerate radiation therapy

Drawing inspiration from the tardigrade, researchers developed a new strategy that may protect cancer patients from the side effects of radiation therapy.

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Screening and treating maternal psychological health key to improving cardiovascular health

Identifying and treating risk factors for depression, anxiety and other psychological health conditions during pregnancy and postpartum may improve short- and long-term health outcomes for both mother and child, according to a new scientific statement.

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Modifying graphene with plasma to produce better gas sensors

Gas sensors are essential for personal safety and environmental monitoring, but traditional sensors have limitations in sensitivity and energy efficiency. Now, researchers have developed an improved gas-sensing technology by treating graphene sheets with plasma under different conditions, creating structural and chemical defects that enhance ammonia detection. These functionalized graphene sheets exhibited superior sensing performance compared to pristine graphene, potentially paving the way for wearable gas detection devices for everyday use.

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Research challenges our understanding of cancer predisposition

New findings question assumptions of cancer formation in individuals with the cancer-predisposition syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1, and offer hope for a personalized approach to early cancer recognition including for those with similar conditions.

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What makes cancer cells weak

One particular challenge in the treatment of cancer is therapy resistance. An international research team has now discovered a mechanism that opens up new treatment strategies for tumours in which conventional chemotherapeutic agents have reached their limits.

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New insights into how gut cells respond to bacterial toxins

Researchers have found that specific gut cells, BEST4/CA7+ cells, regulate electrolyte and water balance in response to bacterial toxins that cause diarrhea. Their findings show that these cells greatly increase in number when exposed to the cytokine interferon- (IFN ), presenting a promising target for therapeutic strategies.

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Hormones may have therapeutic potential to prevent wrinkles, hair graying

Hormones may be leveraged to treat and prevent signs of aging such as wrinkles and hair graying, according to a new study.

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New study reveals Neanderthals experienced population crash 110,000 years ago

A new study suggests that Neanderthals experienced a dramatic loss of genetic variation during the course of their evolution, foreshadowing their eventual extinction. Examination of semicircular canals of ear shows Neanderthals experienced 'bottleneck' event where physical and genetic variation was lost.

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