Researchers identified Pin1, an enzyme that may restore tau protein function, and found it depleted in Alzheimer's brains. This could lead to new treatments for the disease by preventing tau protein misfolding.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara discovered a unique protein-based adhesive that explains the abalone shell's exceptional fracture resistance. This 'biological rubber' helps maintain its structure by releasing sacrificial links that break before the whole molecule, providing both strength and elasticity.
Scientists at Brandeis University and Children's Hospital Boston used video games to study the brain's sense of direction in teenagers with severe epilepsy. They found that theta oscillations, a special type of brain wave, play a crucial role in spatial learning and navigation.
A study by Boston University researchers found that delivering bad news via email is more accurate and less painful for the messenger than personal or phone delivery. The research suggests that electronic communication can increase honesty and accuracy in delivering negative information, challenging current norms.
A novel gene, BRI, located on chromosome 13 has been identified as responsible for familial British dementia, a rare inherited disease that causes progressive dementia and spasticity. The discovery provides new clues to the abnormal changes in the brain that lead to dementia.
Researchers identified a novel human gene, BRI, that causes an unusual form of hereditary dementia. The discovery provides new insights into the disease and may lead to the development of a blood test to detect the mutation.
Biochemists identify a genetic slip causing cystic fibrosis by degrading the CFTR protein's twisted structure. A new approach uses heavy water to fix the mutant protein, paving the way for lab testing of non-toxic drugs.
Researchers analyzed polar snowpack and found major ozone-depleting gases were not present in the atmosphere in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Human emissions can account entirely for their presence in the atmosphere.
A new observational study published in JAMA found a significant correlation between low vitamin C levels and high blood lead levels among Americans. The study analyzed data from over 19,500 Americans and revealed that about half of one percent have elevated levels of lead in their blood.
A new study reveals a common genetic theme in three distinct animal species, supporting a simplified three-limbed tree of life for nearly all animals. The findings provide powerful evidence to place mollusks to humans on the same evolutionary tree.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that tens of thousands of hospital patients are improperly treated for hyponatremic encephalopathy, a potentially life-threatening condition caused by low salt concentrations. The correct treatment involves increasing patients' salt concentration intraven...
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have invented a micropump that utilizes the repeated growth and collapse of a single bubble to push liquids through narrow channels. The bubble-powered pump has no moving mechanical parts, making it unlikely to wear out quickly.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins and NIH describe a previously suspected molecular bridge between nerve cells and their surroundings, which breaks down causing nerves to deteriorate. The study adds new insight into nerve disease and focuses on stimulating nerve cell regrowth in the brain and spinal cord.
A new study predicts that jet contrails will become a significant climate factor by 2050, causing a warming of the Earth's atmosphere. Contrails are expected to increase in coverage over Europe and Asia, with potential temperature increases reaching up to 0.7 watts per square meter.
Researchers developed a method to record brain signals onto electrode arrays in rats, enabling them to control a robotic arm without muscle movement. This achievement demonstrates the likelihood of implanting electrodes into human brains to control prosthetic devices.
The StAR protein plays a key role in the steroid-making system by partially unfolding to form a 'molten globule' conformation that enables it to work inside cells. This flexible state lowers energy required for channel opening in mitochondrial membrane, acting as an on/off switch for cholesterol transport.
Researchers found that the brain region critical for face perception is also active when humans become expert in recognizing novel objects, contradicting the idea of separate brain mechanisms. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to test adults on identifying greebles, a class of complex three-dimensional objects.
A global system involving human-machine integration will evolve, leveraging ceramic materials and nanotechnology to provide food and clean water. The future may hold composite life forms with organic and inorganic elements.
A team of scientists has found a critical interaction between two brain proteins that could help explain the death of nerve cells in Alzheimer's disease. The discovery reveals that normal APP provides a protective function against cell death, while mutant forms do not.
A genetically altered vaccine has been approved for commercial use to prevent swine pneumonia, a major cause of production losses in the swine industry. The vaccine, developed by Virginia Tech researcher Thomas Inzana, confers excellent immunity in pigs with minimal side-effects.
Researchers have identified a new mechanism for regulating gene expression that could help scientists understand developmental birth defects and other medical conditions. The TRA-1 protein plays a critical role in binding to DNA and controlling mRNA movement, which affects protein production during embryo development.
The Ninth Sede Boker Symposium on Solar Electricity Production will focus on ground-breaking work in solar power generation from around the world. Experts will share knowledge and problem-solving techniques with Arab and Israeli users of a large photovoltaic system designed for agricultural communities.
The California sea otter population has declined by 1.14% since the 1998 spring survey, with a disconcerting decline in independent adults, indicating a need for further investigation into the cause of this trend. The USGS is working to gather more information on disease, contaminants, starvation, and entanglement as contributing factors.
Researchers found elevated TGase activity in postmortem brain tissue of HD patients, linking it to htt aggregation and nuclear inclusion formation. This novel finding appears to counter previous findings on amyloid protein deposits and the 'protein zipper' hypothesis.
Researchers at Virginia Tech created an environmentally safe bait to control carpenter ants by understanding the insects' foraging behavior and diet. The bait was developed using a combination of proteins, sugar, and other compounds, and has been shown to be effective in reducing ant populations and improving homeowners' quality of life.
Dr. Carol Ford will conduct research to understand motivations for testing and seeking treatment for STDs, aiming to increase effectiveness of screening programs and reduce preventable illnesses. She'll collaborate with the Add Health project and train healthcare professionals to provide high-quality care to adolescents.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a patented ultra-low VOC coating that combines flexibility with improved environmental properties. The novel process allows for the selection of specific properties, making it suitable for various applications.
A new study by University of Iowa sociologists demonstrates that differences in people's beliefs about marriage are pivotal in explaining the mental health impact of transitions into marriage, divorce and separation. Beliefs in the permanence and desirability of marriage influence both negative and positive effects on depression.
Researchers found that stress and coping measures can affect blood sugar control in people with diabetes. The study's biopsychosocial model suggests that psychological factors interact with biological factors to regulate blood sugar levels.
A University of Florida study found that in two-thirds of the 44 children treated, T cell numbers increased to normal levels. Children under 6 showed the most pronounced improvement, with their immune systems recovering dramatically.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University found a new combination therapy, called chemoradiation, that increases survival rates by 50% for cervical cancer patients. The treatment combines radiation with platinum-based chemotherapy agents, leading to more effective cancer cell killing and lower side effects.
Researchers discovered oscillations in individual heart cells causing beat-to-beat alternations, leading to fibrillation and death. A new test highlights this pattern for easier detection, potentially saving thousands of lives annually from sudden cardiac arrest.
The Navajo Faith Healing Project examines traditional religious healing practices among the Navajo people, combining ceremonies, chants, and peyote rituals to treat physical and mental ailments. The study reveals a holistic approach to healthcare, integrating faith healing with Western medicine in some cases.
Clathrin-coated vesicles are responsible for transporting proteins from the outside of the cell inside. The new insights into their formation help build a picture of the overall process and suggest possible targets for future therapeutic intervention.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are developing a new neural prosthesis technology that uses microstimulation to directly stimulate the spinal cord. This approach aims to improve the health and independence of individuals with quadriplegia and paraplegia, who currently lack control over vital functions.
A Brown University research team has identified primary signals that initiate liver formation in embryonic cells. Understanding these signals could lead to new treatments for diseases such as viral hepatitis and cancer by enabling tissue regeneration and reprogramming of diseased cells.
A team of researchers from Case Western Reserve University has discovered a new species of human ancestor, Australopithecus garhi, in the Afar Desert of Ethiopia. The fossils, dated to 2.5 million years ago, exhibit a unique combination of traits that were unexpected and fill a major gap in our understanding of human evolution.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that comprehensive discharge planning and home follow-up by advanced practice nurses can significantly reduce hospital readmission rates and Medicare costs. The study involved 363 elderly patients at high risk for poor outcomes after hospital discharge, who rece...
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that green tea polyphenols may help prevent and reduce the severity of rheumatoid arthritis. The study found that mice given green tea polyphenols were significantly less likely to develop arthritis, with only 44% developing the condition compared ...
The discovery of Complex II's structure is crucial for understanding the energy production system in cells and may lead to therapies correcting defects. This breakthrough increases scientists' knowledge of fundamental processes and their role in diseases like diabetes and Alzheimer's.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a key component of the proteasome that plays a crucial role in DNA repair and sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. Deleting a part of this protein complex increases UV sensitivity, highlighting its involvement in repair mechanisms.
A new study by Case Western Reserve University researchers found that relaxation and music can significantly reduce post-operative pain in surgery patients. The study, which tested 500 patients over a 29-month period, showed that these self-care methods reduced pain more than medication alone.
A new treatment approach has been developed to restore normal heart rhythms in patients with atrial fibrillation, a condition affecting over 2 million adults. Ibutilide fumarate injection prior to an electrical shock to the heart was successful in converting abnormal rhythms to normal in all study patients.
A new analytical technique has revealed large variations in Ginkgo biloba herbal products, which may be a problem for consumers. The study found that some products contain significantly more ginkgolides and bilobalide, the most pharmacologically active compounds, than others.
The sensor uses sound waves to analyze the sugar content of the melon, with promising results showing a correlation between signal frequency and actual sugar content. The device is fast, user-friendly, durable, and reasonably priced, making it a viable solution for growers worldwide.
A team of Penn State researchers successfully used microwave sintering to produce machine components with improved mechanical properties in just 10-30 minutes, compared to traditional sintering methods which take long periods of time and large amounts of energy.
Breast cancer cells migrate toward hormone source, with researchers identifying a novel prolactin-mediated mechanism driving metastasis. The discovery provides new insights into disease progression and suggests potential directions for developing drugs to block breast cancer growth.
The World Health Organization reports that six infectious diseases - AIDS, malaria, TB, measles, diarrhoeal diseases, and acute respiratory infections - are responsible for over 11 million deaths in 1998. The WHO is calling on governments to take action against these diseases before it's too late.
The USGS report synthesizes current information to document the changing nation's biological resources, identifying key factors affecting biological resources nationwide. Land use, water use, and nonindigenous species are the primary factors having broad-scale effects.
A recent study found that tomato plants artificially stimulated with chemical jasmonic acid attract parasitic wasps, which kill twice as many caterpillars on treated plants. This natural defense mechanism can be used to develop environmentally friendly agricultural pest control methods.
Scientists at the University of Michigan used spatial illusion to study how the brain processes sound. By analyzing neural activity in cats and humans, researchers found that the auditory systems use similar spectral characteristics to determine sound locations.
Caffeine in coffee can cross the fetal blood-brain barrier, triggering seizures in newborns. Oxygen starvation during delivery also plays a role, as it disrupts normal neuronal function.
A joint project between Nissan and MIT, the system uses computer and sensor data to monitor driving patterns and predict actions. With accuracy of 95%, it aims to build cars that adapt to individual drivers' needs.
Researchers at the University of Toronto found a strong association between magnetic field exposures in residences and the risk of developing childhood leukemia. Children exposed to higher levels of magnetic fields were two to four times more likely to develop leukemia, with risks highest for those diagnosed before age six.
Researchers confirmed that one type of genetic mutation causes inherited profound deafness, while another does not. Genetic tests found 42% of individuals with moderate to profound congenital deafness had sequence variations in the GJB2 gene.
Chinese and U.S. researchers have discovered a previously unknown species of primitive bird with the world's oldest surviving horny beak, dating back 130 million years. The discovery adds weight to the argument that birds descended from earlier reptile ancestors rather than dinosaurs.
The number of centenarians in the US is growing rapidly, with projections suggesting a doubling trend. The population is expected to become more diverse, with significant increases in Hispanic and Asian populations.
A team of geologists and aid workers warn that the Sarez Lake in Tajikistan is a ticking time bomb, with a natural dam on the verge of breaching. If the dam fails, it could unleash a wall of water devastating hundreds of mountain villages and killing hundreds of thousands of people.
A genetic trait has been found to predispose people to Gulf War syndrome, a condition where veterans of the war may have gotten ill from chemical exposures. The study reveals that people with high levels of a specific enzyme did not get sick, while those with low levels did.
The Columbia Glacier in Alaska has increased its speed to 35 meters per day, raising concerns among scientists about a rapid decline. The glacier, already the fastest moving glacier in the world, is now expected to retreat at an alarming rate, potentially posing risks to shipping lanes and marine ecosystems.