The authors looked at the ability to use audio clips to analyze the progression of Parkinson's disease.
Read More...Using advanced machine learning and voice analysis features for Parkinson’s disease progression prediction
The authors looked at the ability to use audio clips to analyze the progression of Parkinson's disease.
Read More...Testing filtration capabilities of household fabrics for protection against airborne contaminants
Toxic particulates in the atmosphere pose significant health risks, and while modern masks can help reduce inhalation of these pollutants, their availability may be limited during health crises. This study evaluated the effectiveness of household fabrics (cotton, fleece, wool, and rayon) as particulate filters, finding that cotton outperformed the others in filtration efficiency, while rayon was the least effective. The findings suggest that cotton is a preferable alternative for filtration purposes, while rayon should be avoided.
Read More...Designing gRNAs to reduce the expression of the DMPK gene in patients with classic myotonic dystrophy
The authors describe the design and testing of new guide RNAs targeting the DMPK gene, which is responsible for myotonic dystrophy.
Read More...School sustainability: The implications of implementing living walls at schools for air purification
The authors compare air quality in the presence and absence of a living wall in a high school hallway in Brooklyn, NY.
Read More...Mendelian randomization reveals shared genetic landscape in autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) are distinct conditions, but research suggests a link, as individuals with ASD are 2.5 times more likely to develop AD. A study employing genome-wide association studies and Mendelian randomization revealed shared genetic factors, particularly in synaptic regulation pathways, that may increase the risk of AD in those with ASD. These findings provide insights into the genetic underpinnings connecting the two disorders.
Read More...The impact of attending a more selective college on future income
Debates around legacy preferences, recruited athletes, and affirmative action in U.S. college admissions often focus on the belief that graduating from a more selective institution leads to higher future earnings. The study hypothesized a positive correlation between college selectivity and future income due to enhanced resources and opportunities.
Read More...Digestion products of bread and cheese cause addictive behavior in a planaria model
The authors looked at two peptides, gluteomorphin and casomorphin, that are present after the digestion of bread and cheese. As these peptides can bind opioid receptors the authors want to know if they could be addictive in the same way as conventional opioids (i.e., morphine) are known to be. Their results in a planaria model suggest that both of these peptides are addictive.
Read More...Transcriptomic profiling identifies differential gene expression associated with childhood abuse
Childhood abuse has severe and lasting effects throughout an individual's life, and may even have long-term biological effects on individuals who suffer it. To learn more about the effects of abuse in childhood, Li and Yearwood analyze gene expression data to look for genes differentially expressed genes in individuals with a history of childhood abuse.
Read More...Reddit v. Wall Street: Why Redditors beat Wall Street at its own game
Here the authors investigated the motivation of a short squeeze of GameStop stock where users of the internet forum Reddit drove a sudden increase in GameStop stock price during the start of 2021. They relied on both qualitative and quantitative analyses where they tracked activity on the r/WallStreetBets subreddit in relation to mentions of GameStop. With these methods they found that while initially the short squeeze was driven by financial motivations, later on emotional motivations became more important. They suggest that social phenomena can be dynamic and evolve necessitating mixed method approaches to study them.
Read More...Evaluating cinnamaldehyde as an antibacterial agent in a produce wash for leafy greens
Recognizing a growing demand for organic produce, the authors sought to investigate plant-based antibiotic solutions to meet growing consumer demand for safe produce and also meet microbial standards of the USDA. The authors investigated the use of cinnamaldehyde as an antibacterial again E. coli, finding that lettuce treated with cinnamaldehyde displayed significantly lower colony-forming units of E. coli when compared to lettuce treated with chlorine bleach.
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