Researchers have found that fatty acids from various plants and fungi can prevent MS-like symptoms in animal models. Dr Harbige's team thinks certain fatty acids work by dampening the immune system's damaging effects, but more rigorous clinical trials are needed to confirm.
Researchers found that 100 micrograms of folic acid can prevent up to 22% of neural tube defects, while 200 micrograms can prevent most NTDs. The study suggests that increasing folic acid levels in grains could help reduce birth defect risks.
The winners, Christine Jacobs, James E. Brownell, Georg Halder, and Mitsuharu Hattori, have made groundbreaking discoveries in bacterial resistance, genetic function regulation, eye development, and brain development research. They will receive $5,000 each plus a grand prize of $20,000.
A new procedure called in utero stem cell transplantation has shown promise in treating genetic disorders such as sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia. The technique involves transplanting primitive blood forming cells into an affected fetus, which can cure the disease before damage occurs.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that dedicated PET scanners are significantly more accurate than dual-head coincidence cameras in detecting cancer. They also showed that PET can diagnose infections in just an hour or less, compared to days with conventional tests.
A diet rich in seafood, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid, has been shown to reduce the production of leukotriene B4, a molecule that promotes inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis patients. This reduction leads to less inflammatory effects and a decrease in neutrophil migration and release of damaging molecules.
A new study conducted at the University of Michigan found that 95% of pregnant women surveyed thought an ultrasound was important for their normal, healthy pregnancies. The survey also revealed that women would pay out of pocket for a routine ultrasound exam and felt it was very important to see their baby.
Imperial College researchers are building artificial viruses from DNA, protein, and fat that can bypass the patient's immune system. These artificial viruses have shown great promise for gene therapy in corneal transplants, particularly for children at high risk of graft failure.
Researchers have discovered a way to quickly determine if women with advanced breast cancer are responding to hormone therapy using positron emission tomography (PET). The finding could reduce the need for harsher chemotherapy and improve quality of life for patients.
A Harvard Medical School study found that gambling disorders among adults in the US and Canada have increased to 1.29%, affecting 0.84% in the past decade. The research suggests that increased social acceptance and accessibility of gambling may contribute to this growth.
The USMP-4 mission successfully delivered a haul of science and samples to help scientists investigate the era of International Space Station. The mission made significant contributions to materials science, solidification processes, and ultrasmall electronics, with results expected to have practical applications in industries like eye...
Research by Dr Lanzavecchia reveals that dendritic cells need inflammation to effectively stimulate an immune response. The study also shows that chemical messengers guide immune cells to the target site, enabling the development of new anti-allergy drugs and improved vaccine delivery.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research have discovered that polymeric species can be used as structure directing agents for the synthesis of mesostructured ceramic-type materials. This breakthrough opens up a way to create new and interesting materials with fascinating structures.
Researchers found that some chemicals being phased out for ozone protection have offsetting benefits, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The study suggests that environmental policies should consider both ozone depletion and global warming together.
Penn State researchers develop a finite difference method to simulate sonic boom noise for both simple and complex ocean surfaces. The new technique allows for accurate predictions of underwater noise, paving the way for the development of supersonic passenger aircraft with minimal impact on marine life.
The APXS instrument provides new insights into Martian soil and rocks, revealing a more Earth-like composition than previously assumed. The study suggests that Mars has complex geological provinces with varied compositions, indicating a more evolved planet.
Researchers are developing a new approach to treat cancer by boosting the immune system using dendritic cells, which can be grown in large quantities in culture. The therapy has shown promise in clinical trials, particularly for patients with advanced melanoma or breast cancer.
Scientists confirm evidence of past water on Mars, including minerals and sedimentation patterns. Theories about the disappearing water include evaporation, seepage, or storage at Martian poles.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a new theory to account for energy flow within large molecules, finding that slow energy transfer can modify reaction rates. The study applied this theory to the kinetics of stilbene isomerization, showing good agreement between calculated and experimental data.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that individuals who use electronic communications report more total communications than those using only traditional methods. This suggests a potential problem with 'communication overload',
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine found that NF-kappa B, a natural protein, teams up with a cancer gene to prevent cell death in tumor cells. The team suggests using new drugs or therapies to turn off or neutralize NF-kappa B to control certain tumors.
Researchers are working on a strategy to overcome hyperacute rejection by removing sugars from pig cells, targeting the GAL trigger and developing O-type blood. The goal is to produce pigs suitable for human transplantation within five years.
A new University of Washington study finds that student evaluations often misrepresent instructors' abilities, favoring teachers of easier courses and penalizing those of tougher subjects. The researchers propose reforms to improve the evaluation system, such as incorporating measures of students' learning outcomes.
Research reveals estrogen regulates fluid reabsorption in efferent ductules, essential for sperm maturation and normal fertility. The study found high concentrations of estrogen receptors in the male reproductive tract.
A study found that folic acid fortification in cereal grains effectively increases folate intake and reduces homocysteine levels in adults. The research, conducted by the University of Florida, showed consistent good absorption of folic acid from fortified white and whole wheat bread, rice, and pasta.
Virginia Tech students will design and develop a hybrid vehicle using the new fuel cell, which produces zero emissions. The team aims to make effective use of the fuel cell in combination with a battery pack.
Top researchers gathered at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to discuss breakthroughs in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment, aiming for improved cure rates and reduced side effects. Rearrangement of the ETV6/TEL gene is associated with favorable treatment outcomes, enabling safer alternatives to radiation therapy.
Researchers John H. Thomas and Benjamin Montesinos present a more realistic version of the siphon-flow model, predicting how gas flows from sunspots into the solar atmosphere. Their results match observations in considerable detail, shedding light on astrophysical processes involving strong magnetic fields and jets of gas.
A team of researchers, funded by the US National Science Foundation, discovered a group of fossil mammals, gondwanatheres, in Madagascar and India. These ancient creatures provide evidence for the movement of landmasses during the Late Cretaceous period.
The MEPHISTO experiment, part of NASA's USMP-4 mission, collected nearly three times as much data as planned, providing valuable insights into solidification phenomena. The data will help refine manufacturing processes on Earth, particularly in the electronics industry.
Researchers have developed a system to mimic the thymus in laboratory settings, enabling the study of HIV's effect on T-cell development. The model has shown that even immature T cells are susceptible to HIV infection, highlighting the need for treatment targeting young individuals.
Researchers have resolved a long-standing paradox in the theory of sintering ceramics by proposing a new model that explains shape changes during the process. The model takes into account energy differences among differently oriented surfaces and edges, reducing total energy through shape changes.
Starlight, a 3D visualization technology, was developed to help decision-makers navigate complex data and identify critical details. It enables users to analyze massive volumes of information across various media types, including structured and unstructured text, maps, digital data, video, and satellite imagery.
A study by George Huntley found that sensory deprivation, even from birth, affects the development of brain areas controlling movement. This has significant implications for humans, suggesting early life visual defects may impact both sensory and motor areas.
The USMP-4 space mission closed with ongoing astrophysics research using cosmic ray measurements to analyze Confided Helium Experiment data. The Confined Helium Experiment used liquid helium to measure the finite size effect, and scientists are analyzing radiation effects to understand background heating noise.
Researchers investigated the role of Btk in B cell development and found it essential for choosing which B cells launch an attack against invading bacteria. Additionally, Btk plays a crucial role in telling B cells not to react to autoantigens, preventing autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes.
A new delivery system may allow for more precise control over where new genes are inserted into an organism's chromosomes, improving gene therapy. The approach uses parvoviruses to target specific locations on the chromosomes, reducing the risk of genes causing harm or functioning poorly.
Researchers propose a novel approach using shock waves to detect plastic land mines, leveraging acoustic signals reflected off buried objects in granular beds like soil. The system could provide critical information about the size and shape of an object, helping identify land mines.
The University of Rochester's animation technology is part of the new MPEG-4 standard, which brings together audio, video, and animation technologies. This integration promises to make video editing more accessible and improve video quality, with features such as point-and-click ease and automatic image manipulation.
Two studies support annual mammography starting age 40, reducing breast cancer deaths by 35-45% and outpacing radiation risks. The benefits of screening far outweigh the negligible risk of developing breast cancer from mammography.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have developed a non-invasive gamma knife treatment that shows comparable results to surgery in alleviating Parkinson's disease symptoms. The treatment uses high doses of radiation to destroy targeted areas of the brain, potentially offering an alternative to traditional surgical options.
Researchers found a small association between eating Lake Ontario fish and shortened menstrual cycles, with an average reduction of 1.1 days. The study also reported a statistically insignificant delay in the time it took women to become pregnant.
A new study by Thomas Jefferson University finds that traditional criteria for stroke-preventing surgery may overestimate men's risk and underestimate women's risk due to smaller carotid arteries. The 70% blockage threshold may need to be adjusted to account for these differences.
A recent study found that premenopausal women who breastfed for at least 20 months had a 50% lower risk of breast cancer compared to those who did not breastfeed. The study also revealed no effect on the risk of breast cancer for postmenopausal women.
Morbidly obese pregnant women can reduce their risk of developing gestational diabetes by engaging in moderate physical activity, a new study has shown. The study found that the presence or absence of exercise, not its frequency or duration, was the key factor in reducing diabetes risk.
Researchers found that restrictive policies, such as Medicaid funding limits and 24-hour waiting periods, significantly reduced access to abortion services, leading to a decline in abortion rates. Meanwhile, increased birthrates were observed in regions with limited access to reproductive health services.
Research shows that men younger than 65 who are moderately overweight have a higher risk of dying from any cause and heart disease compared to their non-overweight counterparts. For women, being overweight poses a significant heart-disease mortality risk at any age, with an increased risk observed even at moderate BMI levels.
A nationwide review of managed-care companies' gatekeeping practices found nearly one-third of patients denied emergency medical care suffered adverse outcomes. The study highlights the need for in-person medical assessments, as telephone gatekeeping failed to reliably distinguish between safe and unsafe cases.
A national trial is underway to determine the effectiveness of removing portions of lungs in patients with severe emphysema. The study aims to find out if the procedure improves long-term outcomes and reduces complications for patients with this debilitating disease.
FORCAST, a new infrared camera, will be built at Cornell to image the universe in the infrared spectrum and study stars' neonatal environments. The instrument will fly aboard NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) and make observations that are impossible for ground-based telescopes.
Researchers have found a potential link between calcium channel blockers and brain damage, as well as impaired memory. The study analyzed data from the Cardiovascular Health Study and found that participants taking these medications had more evidence of white matter hyperintensity and lower scores on mental tests.
The UB Department of Social and Preventive Medicine has produced significant innovative research in various epidemiological fields. The university's recognition of its contributions to the field highlights the important contribution that their training programs have made to the field of epidemiology and prevention.
A large community sample study found that women with depressive symptoms are three times more likely to develop alcohol problems after three years and 2.5 times more likely after four years compared to those without depressive symptoms. In contrast, no relationship was found between alcohol problems and subsequent depressive symptoms i...
Researchers at University at Buffalo found a miniscule increase in free radicals in the blood reflects lung damage equivalent to 3-5 years of aging. Oxidative stress was also associated with narrowing of pulmonary airways, while bilirubin showed a positive relationship to lung function.
Researchers will study advanced technologies to minimize earthquake damage and losses in critical facilities like hospitals. They will examine retrofitting methods, smart materials systems, and monitoring systems to detect post-earthquake damage.
A study of 287 women found that poor numeracy skills and basic probability concepts can prevent women from accurately assessing the benefits of mammography screening. The researchers used four different formats to present statistical information, but found that low numeracy levels hindered women's ability to apply this information accu...
Researchers have discovered that killer lymphocytes recognising HPV can be found in tumour tissues, and that they may be able to boost the immune system's response to prevent cancer. A novel vaccine is also being developed to stimulate killer lymphocytes to target HPV-infected cells.
The technique correctly ruled out a diagnosis of cancer in 18 of 30 women whose suspicious mammograms were later shown to be benign. Additionally, none of the 14 cancers in the group were misdiagnosed by the 3D imaging method.
Researchers are exploring unmodified monoclonal antibodies, or 'naked mAbs', as a potential therapy for cancer. These antibodies can trigger programmed cell death in cancer cells, restoring control mechanisms that have gone awry in the disease.
The new instrument will provide insight into cloud behavior and lightning's impact on rainfall and El Nino events. LIS data will be used for lightning research, improving understanding of the phenomenon.