Browse Articles

Global trends and disparities in ischemic heart disease attributable to high systolic blood pressure, 1990–2021: Insights from the global burden of disease study

Objective To comprehensively assess the global, regional, and national burden of ischemic heart disease (IHD) attributable to high systolic blood pressure (HSBP). Methods Using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 dataset, we conducted a systematic analysis of mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and their age-standardized rates (ASRs) for HSBP-related IHD from 1990 to 2021. We stratified data by sex, age (25–95 + years), and sociodemographic index (SDI) categories (Low, Low-Middle, Middle, High-Middle, and High), and examined geographic disparities across 21 regions and 204 countries. Temporal trends were assessed using estimated annual percentage change (EAPC), and smoothed curve modeling and Spearman’s correlation were applied to evaluate associations between SDI and ASRs. Results Globally, the absolute number of DALYs attributable to HSBP-related IHD rose substantially from 1990 to 2021, although ASRs decreased over the same period. Males consistently shouldered a larger proportion of the burden, yet women experienced a relatively faster decline in DALY and mortality ASRs. Notable regional disparities were observed, with Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and North Africa & Middle East demonstrating higher burdens despite downward trends, whereas certain low-to-middle SDI regions and select Asian and African countries exhibited rising ASRs. Variations in SDI also correlated with shifting patterns in HSBP-related IHD burden, highlighting the importance of socioeconomic factors. Conclusion This study underscores the significant global burden of IHD attributable to HSBP, with substantial heterogeneity by sex, age, and geographic setting. The findings emphasize the need for context-specific public health interventions, such as intensified hypertension screening, early detection, and management strategies.

World first: brain implant lets man speak with expression — and sing

Quantum physicists unveil most ‘trustworthy’ random-number generator yet

Gene therapy could correct blood stem cells inside, rather than outside, the body

When do girls fall behind in maths? Gigantic study pinpoints the moment

Iodine-Induced Redirection of Active Sources in Cu-Based Catalysts during Efficient and Stable Water Oxidation

Digging foxholes in the dark

Evaluation of myopia status and eye use behavior in school-age and preschool children

Background The aim of this research was to assess the incidence of myopia and associated behavioral risk factors among school-aged and preschool children in Ningxia. Methods Our survey conducted a comprehensive cross-sectional study utilizing questionnaires to investigate the risk factors for myopia in children aged 3–10, both in preschool and school-age, based on parental reports of their children’s myopia status. The logistic regression model analysis was performed using myopia as dependent variables. Results In Ningxia, the prevalence of myopia among preschool and school-age children stood at 4.9%. Specifically, the rate for school-age children (6.3%) was notably higher than that for preschool children (3.7%), with the difference being statistically significant (P < 0.05). The results of the logistic regression analysis indicated that senior grade, parental myopia, academic stress, playing electronic products, reading e-books for a long time, eye fatigue and less outdoor activities were risk factors for myopia, while not staying up late and reasonable reading distance (33–35 cm) were protective factors for myopia. Conclusions The incidence of myopia among children aged 3–10 in Ningxia is 4.9%. Additionally, a child’s likelihood of developing myopia is influenced by whether their parents have myopia. Reading e-books and long-term exposure to electronic products are associated with myopia; Eye fatigue and academic stress are also important factors affecting myopia.

Flowering seasonality drives taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of hummingbirds along an altitudinal gradient in northwestern Mexico

Floral resources in the mountains of northwestern Mexico are strongly seasonal. This influences latitudinal, local, and altitudinal migration patterns in hummingbird species, resulting in temporal changes in hummingbird community structure over the flowering period. In this study, we evaluated how the seasonality of floral resources and latitudinal migration of hummingbirds influenced taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity along an altitudinal gradient. We examined the functional and morphological space occupied by resident and migrant hummingbird species, as well as the species’ functional niches and the phylogenetic structure of species assemblages in three sites of northwestern Mexico. We recorded hummingbird and flower abundance using two transects with 15 point counts on each altitudinal gradient in the Sierra Madre Occidental. The transects spanned from tropical deciduous forest to pine-oak forest and the ecotone between them. We recorded 20 hummingbird species and 70 flowering plant species belonging to 30 families. We found that taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity were linked to the flower abundance. Seasonal latitudinal hummingbird migration was less important for functional diversity (since migratory species performed redundant functional roles) than taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity. Seasonal flowering along the altitudinal gradient drives various types of hummingbird movements (local, altitudinal, and latitudinal), which increases the number of hummingbird species fulfilling each functional role. Apparent phylogenetic clustering in the ecotone may be due to a convergence between temperate and tropical forest flora and the midpoint of hummingbirds’ altitudinal migrations. Our study highlights the temporal dynamism and strong influence of floral seasonality on the structure of hummingbird communities in the mountains of northwestern Mexico.

How do the effects of toxicity in competitive online video games vary by source and match outcome?

This article seeks to estimate variations in the effects of toxicity in competitive online video games by source and match outcome. To this end, we analyze proprietary data from the first-person action video game Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III, published by Activision®. To overcome causal identification issues, we implement an instrumental variable estimation strategy. Our findings confirm that exposure to toxicity has statistically significant causal effects on short-term player engagement and the probability that players engage in similar behavior in the current match. Further, we show that these effects vary significantly depending on whether toxicity originates from opponents or teammates, whether it originates from teammates in the same or a different party, and the match’s outcome. These findings have meaningful implications regarding the allocation of resources for combating toxicity and the nature of toxicity across various contexts.

Study on the structural function and motion performance of pneumatic flexible tree-climbing robot

To enhance the adaptability of tree-climbing robots to changes in tree diameter and load capacity, an “I-shaped” pneumatic flexible tree - climbing robot was designed using self-developed pneumatic flexible joints and retractable needle anchors. The robot consists of an upper waist, a lower waist, a front leg, a rear leg, a load plate, and anchors. Through pneumatic driving, it can achieve efficient and stable driving during tree - climbing and stable grasping trees of varying diameters. Static mechanical models of waist and leg joints were established, the deformation characteristics of joints under different pressures were obtained, and relevant experimental verification was carried out. The kinematic analysis of the robot was performed using a 3D motion capture system, and the motion performance of the robot was obtained under different air pressures, tree diameters, tree inclination angles, and load conditions. The experimental results show that, according to the gait planning and its control sequence for climbing trees, the robot can carry loads to complete functions of climbing upwards, climbing downwards, and crossing obstacles at different inclination angles by alternately coordinating waist deformation and leg clamping through the air pressure control system. The robot can adapt to climbing different types of trees with diameters ranging from 146.4 mm to 292.8 mm, and its maximum load capacity is 2.0 kg. When encircling a tree with a diameter of 290 mm, the maximum horizontal climbing speed in the no-load state is 43.8 mm/min, and the maximum upward climbing speed when climbing vertically is 27 mm/min, while the maximum downward climbing speed is 63 mm/min.

Photoelectrochemical Tandem Chlorination of sp³ C–H Bond in Seawater/Chloroform Two-Phase Electrolyte System by Ti-Doped Fe₂O₃ Photoanode

The bacterial burden on computer keyboards across selected university facilities at Liverpool John Moores University, City Campus, Byrom Street, Liverpool

Background Bacterial burden within universities is important to investigate due to the high footfall of both students and staff, who may bring contaminants from body fluids, food, and the environment. These bacterial contaminants may be harmful to both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. A focus on online resources and communication with workplaces and universities bring an important issue of computer keyboards and mice becoming potential reservoirs for such bacteria.This study aimed to investigate the presence of bacteria on computer keyboards and mice across the Liverpool John Moores University campus by detecting the presence of bacterial growth, identifying these bacteria and the role of disinfection in lowering the bacterial counts and changing their diversity. Materials and method A total of 478 pre- and post-treatment swab samples were taken using sterile cotton swabs moistened in sterile nutrient broth (Thermo Scientific™ Oxoid™) from both the keyboards and mice of facilities across the university campus were cultured at 37°C on blood agar plates. A total period of 30 minutes elapsed between first sampling (pre-treatment) and disinfection before the second sampling (post-treatment). Identification of isolated bacterial species was done with Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry according to protocol by BioMérieux VITEK® MS prime. Results One hundred and fifty-four (64.4%) of pre-treatment and Forty-nine (20.5%) of post-treatment cultures showed microbial growth, which were identified as various species of Gram-positive cocci, Gram positive bacilli and Gram-negative cocci. Discussion Across the Liverpool John Moores campus computer keyboards and mice were found to be contaminated with many bacteria, all of which were identified as opportunistic and therefore are not likely to cause harm to healthy individuals. However, there is a greater risk of infection to immunocompromised individuals, which could lead to co-morbidities.

Math skills and microstructure of the middle longitudinal fasciculus: A developmental investigation

Functional neuroimaging studies have identified distributed brain networks involved in arithmetic problem-solving. However, it is still poorly understood to what extent microstructural properties of the underlying white matter contribute to mathematical performance. We investigate microstructural characteristics of one of the least studied white matter tracts, the bilateral middle longitudinal fasciculus (MdLF), reconstructed from diffusion-weighted MRI data, and their relations with mathematical performance in arithmetic tasks of varying complexity, in 56 individuals aged 10–29 years (22 children: 10–13 years; 20 adolescents: 14–17 years; 14 adults: 18–29 years). We identify group differences in math performance and diffusivity measures. We highlight linear relations with age in left fractional anisotropy and right radial diffusivity, which can serve as developmental markers. Further, we document for the first time that diffusivity values in the right MdLF are significantly lower than in the left MdLF for all groups, suggesting hemispheric asymmetry. Importantly, associations between math performance in the right MdLF favoured easier tasks and in the left MdLF favoured harder tasks. This finding is a deviation from the classic hemisphere dominance hypothesis. We propose that the observed patterns may be explained by the right-left-right hemispheric dominance hypothesis proposed by a theory of cognitive development. Our results provide new insights into the microstructural properties of the MdLF and their role in mathematical ability, with implications for understanding brain-behaviour relations.

Decoding ladybird’s colours: Structural mechanisms of colour production and pigment modulation

This study investigates the mechanisms underlying colour production in the family Coccinellidae, focusing on two model species: Adalia bipunctata (L.) and Calvia quatuordecimguttata (L.). In this family, colours have traditionally been attributed primarily to pigments such as carotenoids and melanins. We propose an alternative perspective, considering the elytra as an integrated optical medium whose optical properties – and hence colouration – result from both its architectural design and the properties of its constituent materials, including matrix and pigments. In the present work, the elytron microstructure was precisely determined by transmission electron microscopy and the numerical replica was then injected into numerical simulations of the microstructure’s interaction with light, showing that the elytron structure is able to select a range of wavelengths and then generate colour. Coupling these results with local pigment analyses and microstructural examination of elytra, we show that while pigments are central to patterning and contribute to colour, the overall colour also results from one or more physical mechanisms that may operate simultaneously. In the light of these results, we suggest that the complex and diverse colouration in the Coccinellidae can only be elucidated by considering the interplay of pigments and the optical properties of the elytron cuticle. From an evolutionary ecology point of view, elytra structure influence on colouration may provide new insights into colour signalling in this insect family.

Factors affecting spatio-temporal occurrence of sympatric civets in Parsa-Koshi Complex, Nepal

Understanding the effect of biotic and abiotic factors, including habitat and interspecific competition, is crucial for species conservation. We quantified spatio-temporal patterns of sympatric large Indian civet (LIC; Viverra zibetha) and small Indian civet (SIC; Viverricula indica) using remote cameras in Parsa-Koshi Complex, Nepal during December 2022–March 2023. We found low spatial overlap between LIC and SIC (Oij = 0.15) and high diel overlap between LIC and SIC (Dhat1 = 0.759, normo0 CI: 0.670 ‒ 0.847). Large predators, i.e., tigers (Panthera tigris) and leopards (P. pardus) positively influenced the occurrence of LIC and SIC, respectively. Extent of grassland also positively influenced (0.529 ± 0.193) SIC occurrence. The coexistence of LIC and SIC is governed by complex ecological interactions, including habitat preferences and the influence of predator’s occurrences, and such dynamics are important implications for conservation planning. Effective conservation strategies should be considering for the spatial and temporal overlap of these species, considering the role of large predators and habitat variables such as grasslands to support the coexistence of sympatric carnivores and reduce human-wildlife conflict.

Advancing artificial intelligence applicability in endoscopy through source-agnostic camera signal extraction from endoscopic images

Introduction Successful application of artificial intelligence (AI) in endoscopy requires effective image processing. Yet, the plethora of sources for endoscopic images, such as different processor-endoscope combinations or capsule endoscopy devices, results in images that vastly differ in appearance. These differences hinder the generalizability of AI models in endoscopy. Methods We developed an AI-based method for extracting the camera signal from raw endoscopic images in a source-agnostic manner. Additionally, we created a diverse dataset of standardized endoscopic images, named Endoscopic Processor Image Collection (EPIC), from 4 different endoscopy centers. Included data were recorded using 9 different processors from 4 manufacturers with 45 endoscopes. Furthermore, images recorded with 4 capsule endoscopy devices from 2 manufacturers are included. We evaluated the camera signal extraction method using 641 manually annotated images from 5 different, publicly available endoscopic image datasets, as well as on the EPIC dataset. Results were compared it with a published baseline in terms of Intersection over Union (IoU) and Hausdorff distance (HD). Results In segmenting the camera signal on images from public datasets, our method achieved mean IoU of 0.97 which was significantly higher than that of the baseline method and mean HD of 21 pixels which was significantly lower compared to the baseline. On the standardized images of the EPIC dataset, there was no significant difference between IoU but our method achieved a significantly lower HD. Both the developed AI-based method and the generated dataset are made publicly available. Conclusion This work introduces an AI-based method that effectively segments the endoscope camera signal from the raw endoscopic data in a source-agnostic way. Utilizing the proposed method as a preprocessing step allows existing AI models to use any endoscopic image, independent of its source, without compromising performance. Additionally, EPIC, a dataset of diverse endoscopic images, is generated. The proposed method, trained AI model weights, and the EPIC dataset are made publicly available.

How regulatory orders and public fear affect vehicle mobility under COVID-19: A global perspective from urban overall vehicles using multi-source data

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on global transportation. While extensive research has focused on its influence on public transit and shared travel, the changes in overall vehicle travel demand remain under – explored. This paper analyzes the magnitude, duration, and driving factors of the impact of COVID-19 on urban overall vehicle mobility. We introduced the Prophet time series model, a suitable tool for time – series prediction in this context, to predict vehicle mobility without the pandemic. By comparing the predicted and real values, the mobility loss was derived. Multiple linear regression was then applied to deeply explore the causes of this loss, with a particular focus on the interaction effects of the strictness of regulatory orders and public fear. A large-scale dataset with over 4 billion raw data from multiple sources was used for empirical analysis. Results indicate that 29.66% of urban vehicle mobility loss occurs during the national outbreak period. The factor representing nationwide confirmed cases has a positive lagging effect on travel mobility loss, with a lag time of around seven days. The loss of urban motorized travel demand is largely due to the interaction of perceived risks and control policies.

Optimized equivalent circuit models for series-parallel configurations of piezoelectric transducers in energy harvesting

This paper presents a detailed study of equivalent circuit models for series-parallel configurations of piezoelectric transducers used in Energy Harvesting (EH) applications. Optimizing these configurations is essential for enhancing the efficiency and performance of Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting (PEH) systems, which are increasingly employed to power small devices and sensors. The effectiveness of series-parallel configurations is demonstrated by their ability to improve the performance of the PEH system by accurately capturing system behavior across varying frequencies and load resistances. The proposed model offers a robust framework for designing and optimizing EH systems, improving the accuracy and performance of piezoelectric transducers in both series and parallel configurations. The key contribution of this work is the enhanced equivalent circuit models for PEHs, which incorporate series, parallel, and series-parallel configurations while decoupling mechanical and electrical. The models are validated through experimentation, providing a practical solution with tunable parameters that align theoretical predictions with observed performance.

Integration experiences of internationally educated diagnostic radiographers working in the UK

Background The current diagnostic radiography workforce issues in the UK have led to active recruitment strategies to employ radiographers from overseas. Research into the experience of nurses and other healthcare professions migrating to the UK to work in the NHS report challenges to that transition, however there is a paucity in the research into the experiences of internationally trained diagnostic radiographers. Method This study aimed to explore the experiences of internationally educated diagnostic radiographers (IEDR) working in the UK and their intentions to remain. A UK-wide electronic survey was distributed through research and professional networks and social media in October 2023. Eligibility criteria were diagnostic radiographers, internationally educated, and currently working in the UK. 226 responses were received. Findings There were positive responses related to the workplace support received (positive correlation r > .60 with statistical significance p < 0.05). However, 57.7% did not know what to expect when transitioning to work, and 56.0% experienced differences in societal culture that affected their adaptation to life and work in the UK. 30.2% had experienced workplace bullying and 34.2% felt they did not fit in culturally with the team. Family support, good workplace relationships and appropriate work mentoring were the top factors respondents identified as supporting integration into the UK. Over 40% intended to leave the UK or were uncertain if they would stay. Conclusion The findings indicate that cultural and societal acclimatisation is challenging, and the enormity of relocating to another country requires holistic support for individuals. More can be done to prepare and support the transition of internationally trained diagnostic radiographers into UK life and practice and improve retention.