The Howard Hughes Medical Institute awards a four-year grant to expand training programs for Central and Eastern European, former Soviet Union, and Baltic scientists in specialized symposia, laboratory courses, and visiting lectureships. Over 500 participants have benefited from similar grants in Latin America.
Researchers found that having an older brother predisposes individuals to random body asymmetries, such as hand and ear width variations. The study suggests a link between the immune system's response to male fetuses, with each successive male triggering a stronger reaction.
A recent study led by Drs. Bodfish and Sandler found no significant improvement in behavior among children with autism treated with synthetic secretin, compared to a placebo. The researchers emphasized the need for further studies to determine the hormone's potential benefits and risks.
A Yale child psychiatrist has supported the results of an autism treatment study that found a popular drug to be ineffective in controlling autistic symptoms. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, looked at the effect of secretin on 56 children with autism and similar disorders and found no improvement.
Researchers have developed tiny implants, called BIONs, that can be injected into muscles to stimulate them and prevent wasting. The implants use radio signals to activate electrical stimuli, offering a potential breakthrough in treating stroke patients who are at risk of serious complications such as thrombosis and muscle dislocation.
Astronomers discovered a potential satellite orbiting Comet Hale-Bopp using Hubble Space Telescope images. Sekanina's model suggests a 33-kilometre-wide moon about 200 kilometres from the comet's nucleus.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a technique to predict certain types of epileptic seizures minutes to hours before they occur. By analyzing brain electrical signals using mathematical formulas from chaos theory, they can identify warning signs of an impending seizure and potentially prevent it with medication or...
A study led by U-M scientist Lisa Curran found that El Nino triggers the reproduction of tropical forest trees, allowing them to survive and thrive. However, human activity such as logging is destroying the ecosystem, threatening the local economy and global exports.
Researchers discuss seasonal cycles of air exchange, improved models for water vapor, and aerosol levels rising. They also examine the decay rate of aerosols in models versus satellite observations and their impact on Earth's climate.
Researchers at Yale Cancer Center identified two mechanisms to inhibit the Survivin gene's protective function, which can lead to cancer cell death. The study used molecular antagonists and showed promise in preclinical studies, paving the way for potential therapeutic applications.
A new study has found that a molecular traffic signal, HIV matrix protein, controls two opposing functions regulating the virus' life cycle. This discovery provides new targets for creating molecular gridlock and halting virus growth.
Researchers found that massive planets can trigger the formation of additional planets through violent processes, leading to a different-looking system. The study suggests an upper limit to planetary growth due to unstable conditions, raising questions about the possibility of habitable Earth-like planets in such environments.
MIT researchers have developed XenoMouse technology, which enables the amplification of atoms for genomics-based antibody drug development. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of fully human monoclonal antibody drugs with high affinity and reduced side effects.
Using brittle failure theory, University of Michigan researcher Youxue Zhang can calculate the likelihood of fragmentation for a given magma sample based on composition, water content, and temperature. This calculation may help predict when a volcanic eruption will become deadly.
Deep-sea animals have higher concentrations of trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), a compound that helps proteins withstand high pressures and misfolded proteins. TMAO's protective power extends beyond sea creatures to humans, with potential applications in cystic fibrosis treatment.
A team of scientists has discovered the gene responsible for Papillon-Lefevre syndrome, a rare condition characterized by thick, cracked skin and premature tooth loss. The study identified mutations in the cathepsin C gene, which may help understand the development of periodontal disease.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill conducted a double-blind study to investigate the effectiveness of synthetic human hormone secretin on children with autism. The study found no difference between groups receiving secretin and placebo, suggesting a potential placebo effect.