Hospitalization for COVID-19 linked to greater risk of later readmission or death. Large study in England suggests need for increased monitoring of COVID-19 patients after discharge. A large study conducted in England found that, compared to the general population, people who had been hospitalized for COVID-19—and survived for at least one week after discharge—were more … Read more
University of Pittsburgh researchers have developed a new procedure to treat a painful foot condition called plantar fasciitis. A patient’s own fat is injected into the foot via dozens of small injections in a grid pattern. Credit: Beth Gusenoff and Jeffrey Gusenoff A novel technique that transplants a patient’s own fat into the sole of … Read more
April 10, 2021 NASA scientists have been closely watching the evolution of the volcanic island near Tonga since 2015. When a volcano in the South Pacific Kingdom of Tonga began erupting in late-December 2021 and then violently exploded in mid-January 2022, NASA scientist Jim Garvin and colleagues were unusually well positioned to study the events. … Read more
The origin of water on our planet is a hot question: Water has immense implications for plate tectonics, climate, the origin of life on Earth, and potential habitability of other Earth-like planets. In a recent study in Physical Review Letters, a Skoltech professor and his Chinese colleagues suggest a chemical compound that — although now … Read more
Model of the omicron variant spike protein shows the location of some of its 37 mutations (red spheres). Credit: David Veesler Lab Findings explain how mutations in the protein allow the omicron variant of the pandemic coronavirus to evade antibodies against previous variants yet remain so infectious. An international team of scientists has determined the … Read more
A graphical representation of the idea of using a scan of the eye to get a window into heart health. Credit: University of Leeds AI system is “trained” to read conventional retinal scans for signs of heart disease The system — which has 70% to 80% accuracy — predicts if patients are at risk of … Read more
OHSU laboratory research compares routes to immunity involving vaccination. New laboratory research from Oregon Health & Science University reveals more than one path toward robust immunity from COVID-19. A new study finds that two forms of immunity – breakthrough infections following vaccination or natural infection followed by vaccination – provide roughly equal levels of enhanced … Read more
Illustration of a “super Neptune,” TOI-674 b, with an atmosphere that, according to a recent study, includes water vapor. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech The discovery: Water vapor in the atmosphere of planet TOI-674 b. Key facts: This recently discovered planet, a bit bigger than Neptune and orbiting a red-dwarf star about 150 light-years away, places it in … Read more
A typical seafood meal. Credit: Farhad Ibrahimzade As a major source of greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions, food production has long occupied an important place in the climate-change discussion. Writing in BioScience, Alice Jones of the University of Adelaide, and an international team of scientists from the University and The Nature Conservancy, discuss the potential of marine … Read more
Hippopotamuses are rather vocal animals. Their “wheeze honk” calls can be heard over long distances, leading researchers to suspect the calls play an important role in maintaining social groups. Now, a study published in the journal Current Biology on January 24, 2022, shows that hippos recognize each other’s voices. They also respond less aggressively to … Read more