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If you're trying to disperse 300,000 disease-fighting mosquitos per day, using a drone may well be your best bet for doing so. The technology has already been tested in Brazil, where it showed very promising results. First of all, how could adding mosquitos to the environment reduce the spread of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases? Well, it all comes down to a process known as " sterile insect technique" (SIT). In a nutshell, SIT involves rendering captive male [...]

Researchers have identified the specific neurons responsible for controlling how growth hormone affects anxiety and the creation of fear memories, a hallmark of post-traumatic stress disorder. The discovery could lead to a new class of anti-anxiety drugs. Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affect millions of people worldwide. While the exact mechanisms underlying these conditions are not fully understood, growing evidence suggests that hormones may affect a [...]

Researchers have discovered a previously unknown pathological cellular mechanism underpinning heart failure, which currently has no cure, and identified a drug that can reverse the damaging malfunction. The findings open the door to a novel intervention to improve outcomes in people with the condition. With an estimated prevalence of 64 million people worldwide, heart failure is a rapidly growing public health issue. Rather than being a specific disease, heart failure is a clinical syndrome [...]

Scientists have demonstrated in mouse studies that specially designed probiotics can reduce brain inflammation associated with diseases like multiple sclerosis. The study points to new potential therapies for hard-to-treat chronic conditions that may be as simple as popping a pill. They might seem pretty separate, but a growing body of research is showing that the gut and the brain are more deeply intertwined than we thought. Neurological diseases [...]

A new study has found that glitter can negatively affect the growth of cyanobacteria, commonly called ‘blue-green algae,' an important player in aquatic ecosystems and a key component of marine food webs. The researchers say their study highlights the importance of reining in the use of this stealthy microplastic. Despite its association with fun things – makeup and nail polish, party costumes, greeting cards and holiday decorations – glitter is a problem. Not only is [...]

There’s a growing body of evidence that links muscle makeup to cognitive function, particularly in that it may be key to prolonging brain health as you age. Scientists believe that even a moderate amount of resistance training – which sees specific muscles contract when worked against an external force – can offset cognitive decline and delay the symptoms of age-related dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The latest study from scientists at the Federal University of [...]

Even though the Amazon is still a powerhouse of plant and animal life, about 18% of it has been cut down since the 1970s. Seeking ways to help get some of that lost forestland back, researchers have turned to a rich soil created by the activities of the Amerindians thousands of years ago. About 2,000 years ago, as the Amerindian people were living their lives in what is now Amazonia, they inadvertently created an incredibly rich soil. Known as Amazonian dark earth (ADE) or terra preta, this [...]

Acetaminophen (aka paracetamol) is a common go-to for treatment of acute pain like headache or toothache, and the popularity of such over-the-counter non-steroidal analgesics is clear, with around 60% of Americans having popped one of these pills in the last six months.   However, unlike prescription medicine, which generally comes with a personally tailored plan and dosage outline from a GP, over-the-counter (OTC) treatments have no such specific guidelines, meaning there’s [...]

While we all know the importance of protecting our skin from the Sun’s damaging, cancer-causing UVA and UVB rays, traditional sunscreen application seems to range from mildly annoying to human sandpaper impersonation. And it’s terrible for waterways and marine environments such as coastal reefs. Scientists from the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) set out to hit the proverbial two birds with one stone, creating an environmentally friendly product using a natural [...]