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Beware the Horrifying Double Whammy That Inflates Gastric Cancer Risk by 45%

Lead Image: The risk of gastric cancer is significantly amplified by the presence of both a specific stomach microbe, H. pylori, and rare variants in nine genes, according to a study by RIKEN researchers. This research suggests the potential for targeted antibiotic treatments to reduce risk in genetically susceptible individuals. Working in tandem, a stomach microbe and rare variants found in nine genes greatly increase the risk of gastric cancer over a lifetime. Genetics has a greater influence in the development of gastric cancer—the fourth-most common cause of cancer death globally—than previously thought, RIKEN researchers have found. In 2013, actress…

Parker Solar Probe Finds Magnetic Energy Near Sun’s Surface Enables Solar Wind To Reach Gravity-Defying Speeds

Lead Image: Researchers have utilized data from NASA’s Parker Solar Probe to understand how the sun’s wind, composed of ionized particles or plasma, can exceed speeds of 1 million miles per hour. (Illustration of the Parker Solar Probe spacecraft approaching the sun.) Credit: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Identifies Mechanism Driving the Sun’s Fast Wind Parker Solar Probe data has helped researchers understand how the sun’s wind can reach speeds exceeding 1 million miles per hour. This could assist in predicting large solar eruptions, enhance our understanding of cosmic wind phenomena, and aid in the…

War’s Echoes: How Childhood Traumas Amplify PTSD Risk for Military Veterans

A new study indicates that service members who experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse during their childhood are at a higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when deployed to conflict zones. The research builds upon the understanding that adverse experiences early in life can increase vulnerability to trauma in adulthood. A recent study shows that military personnel who suffered abuse during childhood are more prone to PTSD when deployed. The research, analyzing 50 peer-reviewed articles, found that both individual and collective traumatic experiences contribute to PTSD risk. The study suggests improving military training and aptitude tests to address…

NASA’s Laser Communications Relay: Showcasing the Future of Space Data Transmission

Lead Image: Illustration of NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD communicating with the International Space Station over laser links. LCRD has successfully completed its first year of experiments, offering a glimpse into the future of data transmission from space. The system uses infrared light, allowing for 10 to 100 times more data to be packed into a single transmission compared to traditional radio wave systems. Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center After a successful year of experiments, NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) project showcases the future of space data transmission. Utilizing infrared light, LCRD enables transmissions packed with 10…

Mammalian Evolution: A Genetic Time Capsule Revealing the Origins of Human Diseases

Lead Image: Researchers from UNC School of Medicine are using evolutionary genomics to understand human diseases. They focus on unchanged, highly constrained genes through the mammalian evolution. This new perspective allows tracing of psychiatric and neurological disorders to alterations in these genes. This could provide insights into various mental health conditions and possibly allow researchers to lessen the effects of genetic diseases by manipulating certain DNA sequences. A team of scientists has created a new manual researchers can use to learn more about the origins of human diseases with high genetic risk. Hundreds of scientific studies have been conducted over…