University of Delaware scientists have discovered that firefly larvae use light signals to ward off predators, rather than coloration. The research suggests an aposematic display, warning predators of an unappetizing meal.
A study found that low leptin levels are associated with the absence of menstruation in underweight female students. The research suggests a critical leptin level is needed to maintain menstruation, with implications for eating disorders and other physiological and psychological conditions.
Research reveals low leptin levels in restrained eaters, particularly in underweight females, who have higher cognitive restraint scores. The study found a negative correlation between leptin levels and cognitive restraint scores in these individuals.
A study examining brain tissue from suicides and controls reveals higher serotonin receptor binding in certain areas, particularly those associated with violent deaths. The findings suggest a potential link between altered serotonin function and suicidal behavior.
Female patients with acute anorexia nervosa exhibit low plasma leptin concentrations, reflecting restricted energy intake. Leptin levels increase upon weight gain, but drop again after weight loss, suggesting a complex relationship between leptin regulation and weight fluctuations in these individuals.
Researchers found immense microbial diversity in Amazonian forests and soils, with new bacteria discovered. Deforestation alters soil properties, leading to differences in microbial populations.
Researchers developed a non-invasive method to detect early signs of cancer and heart attacks using optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT produces a clear picture of tissue without damaging it, allowing visualization of individual cells.
Researchers found that treating co-infections with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) significantly reduces the amount of virus shed in semen, making transmission less likely. The study suggests widespread STD screening and therapy could be a crucial step in combating HIV/AIDS globally.
A study examining childbearing intentions in low-fertility societies like the US found that people value children beyond their economic benefits. Respondents ranked importance of social and economic priorities, with many considering children a vital source of social capital.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered that chloroplasts are connected by long, slender tubules, allowing them to exchange proteins and potentially other molecules. This finding reveals a new form of communication between organelles within plant cells.
Scientists at the NIH have identified a gene abnormality causing some cases of Parkinson's disease, which affects nerve cells and dopamine production. The discovery provides a new tool for understanding cellular abnormalities in Parkinson's disease and connects it to research on Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying long-term potentiation, a key process for memory formation. The study reveals that CaM-KII plays a critical role in this process, enabling persistent changes in synaptic strength and storage of information.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers at The Jackson Laboratory have found that PC4 plays a vital role in male fertility and early embryonic development in mice. The study revealed that PC4-deficient testicular germ cells fail to properly process precursor proteins, rendering them incompetent for fertilization.
A three-step program has been shown to keep drug offenders cleaner and out of prison, with graduates staying straight longer than those who received no treatment. The study compared prisoners who completed a prison-based treatment program with those who participated in a community-based program.
Researchers have identified the precise mechanism by which marine algae produce DMSP, a compound that helps clouds form in the atmosphere. This discovery could lead to genetically engineered crops with improved drought, freeze, and salt tolerance, potentially regulating global climate.
A study published in Environmental Geology suggests that a magnitude 5 or 6 earthquake could raise the water table by up to 750 feet at the Yucca Mountain storage site, leading to potential flooding. The researchers used computer modeling based on geological data and historical quakes to make their predictions.
A $6.5-million study, the largest of its kind, aims to prevent deterioration in patients with Huntington's disease. The CARE-HD trial tests two treatments: experimental drug Remacemide and nutritional supplement CoQ10 to slow disease progression.
Researchers found that high cholesterol can lead to increased blood pressure during stressful situations, but lowering cholesterol can help control this response and reduce the risk of hypertension and heart disease. The study involved 70 people with normal blood pressure, with 33 having normal cholesterol and 37 having high cholesterol.
Physicists have demonstrated that single photons and other quantum particles can store a maximum amount of readable information in the presence of noise and real-world disturbances. This finding provides insights into how little energy is required to store complex messages, advancing the idea that information is physical in nature.
A thousand-foot-long ice core from the Tibetan Plateau provides a detailed climate record for the last 130,000 years, with some sections dating back potentially over 500,000 years. The analysis reveals significant changes in temperature and greenhouse gas levels during this time period.
Researchers use strontium isotopes to identify salmon stream origins, allowing for unprecedented accuracy in tracking adult salmon. The technique has promise for restoring salmon populations and studying their migrations.
A new biodiversity theory suggests that protecting ecotones along rainforest periphery is crucial for preserving biodiversity. Ecotones, the transition zones between rainforests and savannas, may be integral to generating biodiversity in tropical rain forests.
A new study reveals that tissue macrophages play a critical role in triggering the production of HIV in patients with AIDS, leading to increased virus levels despite declining CD4 T cell counts. This finding highlights the importance of controlling opportunistic infections to slow the cycle of virus production.
A long-term study found that women who used estrogen replacement therapy after menopause had a 50% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study, conducted by the National Institute on Aging, suggests that estrogen may play a protective role in warding off the onset of this devastating disease.
Nomad, an autonomous wheeled robot, is undertaking a 40-day, 125-mile journey through the Atacama Desert to explore terrain, navigate, and conduct remote science. The experiment aims to develop technologies for planetary exploration and provide a unique opportunity for public teleoperation.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found a natural antimicrobial compound called hTAP that appears to be disabled in CF patients, increasing their vulnerability to lung infections. The researchers believe mass-producing similar compounds could help fight lung infections in both CF patients and the general population.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University are developing new tools to improve speech recognition accuracy. The team aims to enable computers to understand any kind of human speech and provide a powerful way to search through hours of recorded speeches and news reports.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered an enzyme in Porphyromonas gingivalis that activates blood-clotting in humans, potentially linking periodontal infections to heart disease. The study suggests a mechanism for this connection and may lead to a vaccine to neutralize the enzyme.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have developed a new material that outperforms existing lubricants in industrial conditions. The material, made of tungsten disulfide fullerene-like molecules, reduces friction between moving metal parts by less than half and wear by up to six times.
A study of 472 women found a significant link between estrogen use and reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease. The research suggests that estrogen may stimulate nerve cell growth, inhibit apolipoprotein E levels, and increase neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, potentially reducing the risk of AD.
A new oral vaccine approach is being developed to protect pancreatic cells and prevent the autoimmune disease type I diabetes. Early trials have shown promising results using a combination of insulin and cholera toxin.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a novel Nuclear Magnetic Resonance approach to tag and label the connection point of fat chains, allowing for the monitoring of enzyme effects on individual chains. This breakthrough enables industrial chemists to better understand and control the quality and performance of fats.
Researchers found that people with high ACE levels immediately after a heart attack are at risk for heart enlargement one year later. The study suggests measuring ACE levels directly after a heart attack and treating patients with high ACE levels with an ACE-inhibitor to prevent complications.
The American Heart Association recommends a daily fiber intake of 25-30 grams from whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits to lower blood cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. A diet rich in these foods can also aid in weight control and improve overall nutritional health.
Researchers at UW-Madison found that limiting calorie intake later in life can stall muscle deterioration associated with aging. The study shows promise for human health, particularly for addressing sarcopenia, a condition contributing to physical frailty in older people.
A new study reveals striking fluctuations in blood cholesterol levels among children and teenagers, suggesting that normal cutpoints for testing may need to be revised. The study found that boys' body fatness levels decrease as they mature, while girls' body weight increases with minimal changes in body fat percentage.
A new clinical model has been developed to accurately predict survival among groups of patients with moderate to severe heart failure. The model, based on seven readily obtainable measurements, enables the efficient use of scarce donor hearts and identifies high-risk patients for enrollment in clinical trials.
A population-based study found that higher vitamin C levels were associated with lower oxidative stress and a reduced risk of cell damage. The study involved 393 participants and measured the actual level of vitamin C in their blood serum.
A study published in Cancer found that women with breast cancer who received care at a multi-disciplinary clinic had definitive treatment within 29.6 days, compared to 42.2 days for those seeing specialists sequentially. Patients are also more satisfied with their care, wanting quick resolution and comprehensive support.
Researchers at UNL have discovered a glycoprotein complex, p67, that correlates directly with cells' resistance to viruses. The team found that encouraging the growth of p67 could be a useful means of preventing viruses from taking over cells' reproductive machinery.
The US Congress's Office of Technology Policy and the Japan Documentation Center co-hosted a conference on access to Japanese scientific, technical, and business information. The event explored the impact of the Internet on access issues and featured presentations from leading experts in the field.
A four-year study found that poverty is a significant risk factor for emotional disturbances in white children, but not in American Indian children. Despite having a higher poverty rate, American Indian children were less likely to experience emotional disturbances.
A new study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers found that black women are half as likely to report ever having had a mammogram and 17% less likely to have had one in the past year compared to white women. The single strongest predictor of whether a woman undergoes the test was her doctor's recommendation, which ...
Researchers discovered a growth hormone antagonist that reduces eye disease by 33-44% in mice. The findings suggest the use of this antagonist or a drug inhibiting growth hormone release may help prevent retinal neovascularization and treat related eye diseases.
A study by Harvard Medical School reveals that growth hormone blocks the formation of new retinal blood vessels, which can cause blindness. The findings suggest new treatments may prevent blindness related to this condition.
Researchers have discovered that tiny clusters of eight water molecules naturally arrange themselves into small cubic structures, revealing unique properties of water. The study found that even in very small water clusters, water has the capacity to arrange its hydrogen bonds in several distinct orientations.
Astronomers have found powerful accelerators of material close to home, in our own galactic neighborhood, as nearby black holes with jets. The jets appear to move at velocities approaching the speed of light and are thought to be connected to the accretion disk and surrounding regions.
Researchers found a yeast protein similar to frataxin controls iron levels in mitochondria, leading to cell death and oxidative damage. The study suggests iron overload may be a key factor in Friedreich's ataxia, but further research is needed for treatment.
The 1996-1997 Human Genome Lecture Series featured nine speakers who discussed various aspects of the human genome, including genome sequencing, comparative genomics, and genetic research in specific populations. The series aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the human genome and its implications for genetics research.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center have found that certain metabolites of an antipsychotic drug inhibit HIV replication in human cell cultures, but at high concentrations. The findings suggest possible anti-viral activity against other viruses.
Researchers found that manipulating fish populations can alter the flow of carbon between lakes and the atmosphere, with implications for global climate. The study reveals that even slight rearrangements of an intact ecosystem's food web can have far-reaching consequences.
Recent discoveries demonstrate that Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) originate from the most remote parts of the universe, releasing as much energy in 10 seconds as the Sun emits in its entire lifetime. The uniform distribution on the sky and brightness distribution rule out galactic halo and suggest distances exceeding billions of light years.
The Johns Hopkins University team used the Midcourse Space Experiment satellite to create a wide-angle ultraviolet image of dust surrounding a star-forming region, M42. The image offers insights into star birth and galaxy properties, with potential to learn about the cycle of star formation, death, and rebirth.
The discovery of a 130-million-year-old fossilized bird hatchling provides significant insight into the early evolution of birds. The hatchling's primitive skull contains teeth, while its advanced features suggest that flight took precedence in early bird development.
The study reveals that chemical activity within brain cells exhibits behavior characteristic of self-organized criticality, which may help identify disease processes. Researchers used modeling techniques to simulate brain networks and found a power law distribution of wave sizes and durations, adhering to the signature of self-organize...
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a process to make topsoil from coal ash, yard waste and industrial byproducts. The resulting soil is nutrient-rich and outperforms local topsoil in terms of yield.
The USGS National Wildlife Health Center has detected Newcastle disease in Salton Sea cormorants, which has killed over 1,600 birds. The laboratory is conducting further analysis to determine the specific strain of the virus, with implications for domestic poultry and bird migration patterns.
Global climate factors point to more active storm era, with warmer sea surface temperatures and increased rainfall in the Sahel region. This trend contrasts with the most inactive four-year stretch within the same period, from 1991-94.
Oregon Health Sciences University professor James T. Rosenbaum suggests two solutions to improve scientific expert testimony reliability: appointing experts or empaneling a group to advise the court. Using silicone breast implant litigation as an example, he emphasizes the importance of neutral expert panels and conflict disclosure.
Researchers at the University of Rochester and UCLA have discovered a novel way to target HIV by genetically engineering a mutant tRNA primer that disrupts the virus's replication process. The approach, which has been patented, opens up new avenues for gene therapy in AIDS treatment.