Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill link severe premenstrual syndrome to childhood trauma, finding 50-60% of women with PMDD have histories of abuse. The study also reveals physiological abnormalities in the stress response system of women with PMDD.
Researchers have discovered plant glutamate receptors, which work similarly to human receptors in the brain. This finding suggests that plants possess a signaling system for neurotransmitters, enabling potential use as a model system to study neurological functions.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University and Bell Labs have found clues that subvert the natural law of thermal expansion, suggesting the possibility of creating composite materials that actually shrink under heat. This discovery could lead to significant advancements in various fields, including computing and telecommunications.
Purdue researchers successfully restored electrical nerve impulses in severed spinal cords by applying a non-toxic polymer, PEG. The technique, called fusion technology, repairs damaged nerve cells and enables some impulses to reach the other end of the cord in up to 58% of cases.
The Carnegie/Brookhaven team successfully directed interconversions of enzymes that modify plant fatty acids, revealing the chemical mechanisms responsible for their diversity. They achieved this through making as few as six amino acid changes, paving the way for the creation of novel synthetic enzymes.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory and Carnegie Institution successfully changed a plant enzyme's function by tweaking its structure, advancing prospects for 'designer' plants and novel oils. The breakthrough sheds light on how plant enzymes evolved to perform different functions.
Researchers found that invasive non-native plants compete with native species for regeneration opportunities, inhibiting native tree seedlings and juveniles. Invasive species exhibit similar ecological roles as natives, posing a threat to conservation efforts.
Researchers found a SEX-1 hormone receptor signal in C. elegans that helps determine sex by counting X chromosomes, similar to the human Dax1 gene.
Using nebulizers to deliver glucocorticoid medication is effective in treating asthma in children, but long-term use can suppress growth, recommends Dr. Stanley J. Szefler of National Jewish Health. A new study suggests caution when prescribing glucocorticoids for children under 5 years old.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered the three-dimensional structure of a protein that helps build new blood vessels, feeding cancerous tumors. This understanding may lead to more effective anti-cancer drugs with fewer side effects.
Bruce Marsh's groundbreaking discovery in Antarctica reveals a network of interconnected vertical columns with crystalline mush, overturning a long-held concept. This new understanding is being carefully laid out methodically and precisely, promising to reshape the discipline of magmatism.
Yale researchers develop a hypothesis linking rock metamorphism and earthquake generation. They show that rapid release of water from rocks within fault zones can lead to high internal fluid pressures, decreased rock strength, and induced rock failure, potentially triggering repeated earthquakes.
Protein folding research is undergoing explosive growth, revealing secrets of spontaneous self-assembly process, according to an editorial by Jay Winkler and Harry Gray. The study focuses on chemical kinetics and includes real-time observations, advancing efforts to design new drugs and decode genetic information.
A team of scientists found that a single gene with two vital functions can lead to missing roles, highlighting the complexity of mammalian fetal development. GATA-2 expression was previously thought to only control blood cell formation but is now known to have additional roles in the genitourinary system.
Researchers used virtual reality to visualize the Earth's electromagnetic tail, a challenging problem for astrophysicists. They discovered that charged particles follow a moebius strip path, which they confirmed using 3D imaging equipment.
Researchers have discovered a protein, gephyrin, crucial for central nervous system synapse development and molybdenum utilization. The absence of this protein leads to symptoms similar to human diseases, including stiff baby syndrome and molybdenum cofactor deficiency.