Comparative analysis of creative problem solving tasks across age groups using modular cube robotics.

Creative Problem Solving (CPS) is an important competency when using digital artifacts for educational purposes. Using a dual-process approach, this study examines the divergent thinking scores (fluidity, flexibility, and originality) and problem-solving speed in CPS of different age groups. Participants engaged in CreaCube CPS tasks with educational robotics for two consecutive instances, with performance analyzed to explore the influence of prior experience and creative intentions.

A ganglioside-based immune checkpoint enables senescent cells to evade immunosurveillance during aging.

Although senescent cells can be eliminated by the immune system, they tend to accumulate with age in various tissues. Here we show that senescent cells can evade immune clearance by natural killer (NK) cells by upregulating the expression of the disialylated ganglioside GD3 at their surface. The increased level of GD3 expression on senescent cells that naturally occurs upon aging in liver, lung, kidney or bones leads to a strong suppression of NK-cell-mediated immunosurveillance.

Impacts of acid mine drainage remediation in the largest gold mine of Latin America on natural water bodies in the Dominican Republic.

Impacts of the acid mine drainage (AMD) remediation are investigated on the largest gold mine in Latin America, located in the Dominican Republic. Geochemical analysis of suspended matter in water performed in 2022 on water bodies located downstream to the mine, namely, the Margajita River and Lake Hatillo, are compared with analyses made in 2007, before the AMD remediation. The results for the Margajita River show a strong decrease in heavy metal and metalloid concentrations in the dissolved phase for Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sb, and Pb (between 89.

A Copper-Binding Peptide with Therapeutic Potential against Alzheimer's Disease: From the Blood-Brain Barrier to Metal Competition.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia worldwide. AD brains are characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) that bind Cu and have been associated with several neurotoxic mechanisms. Although the use of copper chelators to prevent the formation of Cu-Aβ complexes has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy, recent studies show that copper is an important neuromodulator that is essential for a neuroprotective mechanism mediated by Cu binding to the cellular prion protein (PrP).

Processing order in short-term memory is spatially biased in children.

When processing serial information, adults tend to map elements of a sequence onto a mental horizontal line, following the direction of their reading and writing system. For example, in a Western population, the beginning of a series is associated with the left-hand side of the mental line, while its end is preferentially associated with the right. To complete the few studies that have investigated the cultural vs.

When to stop immunotherapy for advanced melanoma: the emulated target trials.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated their efficacy with a 7.5-year overall survival (OS) close to 50% for advanced stages. The design of clinical trials provides for treatment until progression or toxicity, or for a maximum duration of two years.

Systematic characterization of the barrier function of diverse models of damaged human skin.

Background: The skin barrier plays a crucial role in protecting our body against external agents. Disruption of this barrier's function leads to increased susceptibility to infections and dermatological diseases. Damaged skin can be due to the use of detergents, sunburn or excessive scratching.

A new regulation mechanism for KCNN4, the Ca-dependent K channel, by molecular interactions with the Capump PMCA4b.

KCNN4, a Ca-activated K channel, is involved in various physiological and pathological processes. It is essential for epithelial transport, immune system and other physiological mechanisms but its activation is also involved in cancer pathophysiology as well as red blood cell disorders (RBC). The activation of KCNN4 in RBC leads to loss of KCl and water, a mechanism known as the "Gardos effect" described seventy years ago.

In Situ Measurements of Light Diffusion in an Optically Dense Atomic Ensemble.

This study introduces a novel method to investigate in situ light transport within optically thick ensembles of cold atoms, exploiting the internal structure of alkaline-earth metals. A method for creating an optical excitation at the center of a large atomic cloud is demonstrated, and we observe its propagation through multiple scattering events. In conditions where the cloud size is significantly larger than the transport mean free path, a diffusive regime is identified.

Tunable Generation of Spatial Entanglement in Nonlinear Waveguide Arrays.

Harnessing high-dimensional entangled states of light presents a frontier for advancing quantum information technologies, from fundamental tests of quantum mechanics to enhanced computation and communication protocols. In this context, the spatial degree of freedom stands out as particularly suited for on-chip integration. But while traditional demonstrations produce and manipulate path-entangled states sequentially with discrete optical elements, continuously coupled nonlinear waveguide systems offer a promising alternative where photons can be generated and interfere along the entire propagation length, unveiling novel capabilities within a reduced footprint.

Spatial distribution of SARS-CoV-2 incidence, social inequality, housing conditions, and density in South-Eastern France: keys for future epidemics.

Introduction: Early in 2021, the SARS-CoV-2 incidence rate was higher in the East than in the West of the Alpes-Maritimes district in France. What was the impact of social deprivation, household overcrowding and population density per km on this difference in incidence rate?

Methods: Cases were defined as persons with a first SARS-CoV-2 positive test detected between 04/01/2021 and 14/02/2021. We studied the « French Deprivation index » (FDep), rate of overcrowded households and population density/km.

Multiple-timescale dynamics, mixed mode oscillations and mixed affective states in a model of bipolar disorder.

Mixed affective states in bipolar disorder (BD) is a common psychiatric condition that occurs when symptoms of the two opposite poles coexist during an episode of mania or depression. A four-dimensional model by Goldbeter (Progr Biophys Mol Biol 105:119-127, 2011; Pharmacopsychiatry 46:S44-S52, 2013) rests upon the notion that manic and depressive symptoms are produced by two competing and auto-inhibited neural networks. Some of the rich dynamics that this model can produce, include complex rhythms formed by both small-amplitude (subthreshold) and large-amplitude (suprathreshold) oscillations and could correspond to mixed bipolar states.

Investigation of choroid plexus variability in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders-insights from a multimodal study.

Previous studies have suggested that choroid plexus (ChP) enlargement occurs in individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (SSD) and is associated with peripheral inflammation. However, it is unclear whether such an enlargement delineates a biologically defined subgroup of SSD. Moreover, it remains elusive how ChP is linked to brain regions associated with peripheral inflammation in SSD.

Minimalist Natural ORPphilin Macarangin B Delineates OSBP Biological Function.

OSBP ligands from the ORPphilin family are chemically complex natural products with promising anticancer properties. Here, we describe macarangin B, a natural racemic flavonoid selective for OSBP, which stands out from other ORPphilins due to its structural simplicity and distinct biological activity. Using a bioinspired strategy, we synthesized both (,,) and (,,)-macarangin B enantiomers, enabling us to study their interaction with OSBP based on their unique optical properties.

Methylmercury contamination in Mediterranean seafood: Exposure assessment and cost of illness implications.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a widespread contaminant that bioaccumulates in marine food webs, including those in the Mediterranean sea. It poses serious health risks, especially to developing infants and children, where exposure can cause neurological damage and developmental delays. In addition to health concerns, high MeHg levels in seafood can lead to economic losses through cognitive impairments that reduce productivity.

Determining the Relative Affinity of ORPs for Lipid Ligands Using Fluorescence and Thermal Shift Assays.

Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) are specialized proteins that convey specific lipids across the cytosol to regulate the lipid composition of organelles and the plasma membrane. Quantifying to which extent these LTPs recognize and transfer various lipid species and subspecies is of prime interest to define their cellular role(s). Here, we describe how to measure in vitro the relative affinity of Osh6p, a yeast phosphatidylserine (PS)/phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI(4)P) exchanger belonging to the oxysterol-binding protein(OSBP)-related protein (ORP) family, for PS and phosphoinositide subspecies.

Musical Experience and Speech Processing: The Case of Whistled Words.

In this paper, we explore the effect of musical expertise on whistled word perception by naive listeners. In whistled words of nontonal languages, vowels are transposed to relatively stable pitches, while consonants are translated into pitch movements or interruptions. Previous behavioral studies have demonstrated that naive listeners can categorize isolated consonants, vowels, and words well over chance.

Anti Phospholipase A2 Receptor 1 Antibodies and Membranous Nephropathy Recurrence After Kidney Transplantation.

Introduction: Membranous nephropathy can lead to end-stage kidney disease, for which kidney transplantation is the preferred therapy. However, the disease often relapses, which can impact allograft survival.

Methods: We conducted a prospective multicenter study in France involving 72 patients with membranous nephropathy who were awaiting and then underwent kidney transplantation.

Management of diabetic keto-acidosis in adult patients admitted to intensive care unit: an ESICM-endorsed international survey.

Background: Guidelines for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) management are limited, resulting in varied practices. This study assessed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission criteria, fluid resuscitation, insulin therapy, and metabolic management in adult patients with DKA.

Methods: An international survey of ICU clinicians consisted of 39 items that focused on management of DKA and was endorsed by the European Society of the Intensive Care Medicine.

Tidally driven remelting around 4.35 billion years ago indicates the Moon is old.

The last giant impact on Earth is thought to have formed the Moon. The timing of this event can be determined by dating the different rocks assumed to have crystallized from the lunar magma ocean (LMO). This has led to a wide range of estimates for the age of the Moon between 4.

Telomere Dynamics in Zebrafish Aging and Disease.

Fish telomere lengths vary significantly across the numerous species, implicating diverse life strategies and environmental adaptations. Zebrafish have telomere dynamics that are comparable to humans and are emerging as a key model in which to unravel the systemic effects of telomere shortening on aging and interorgan communication. Here, we discuss zebrafish telomere biology, focusing on the organismal impact of telomere attrition beyond cellular senescence, with particular emphasis on how telomeric shortening in specific tissues can unleash widespread organ dysfunction and disease.

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Implantation Combining Ultrasound With Microendoscopy for Management of Chronic Neuropathic Pain: A Case Series Study.

Background: Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) has emerged as a minimally invasive percutaneous procedure addressing neuropathic pain. However, the percutaneous cylindrical lead ultrasound-guided implantation procedure requires expertise that limits widespread PNS utilization. To overcome these challenges, a microinvasive endoscopy device has very recently been developed, enhancing the precision of PNS implantation by providing accurate visualization of the targeted nerve.