Researchers at ZymoGenetics have identified a novel Interleukin, IL-21, and its receptor, which play a crucial role in regulating the immune system. The discovery was made using an integrated genomics approach and has shown promising results in promoting the activation of immune cells.
A study has shown that two new medications, LAAM and buprenorphine, are effective in treating heroin addiction, with all three medications dramatically reducing heroin use. The research found that patients on these medications had a 90% drop in heroin use and were more likely to stay in treatment.
A Cornell University research team studied the fundamental step in hydrogen combustion, finding that energy is released when newly formed water molecules are produced in excited vibrational and rotational levels. The study's results support new theoretical predictions, providing a breakthrough in understanding chemical reactions.
Researchers at MGH/Harvard discovered a tiny RNA gene controlling developmental timing in animals, including fish, sea urchins, and humans. The gene is conserved across bilaterally symmetric animals but not in more primitive or plant species.
A new UK research study found that creatine supplementation reduces brain damage in mice and rats with traumatic brain injury. Brain damage was reduced by 21%, 36% and 50% respectively when creatine was administered before or after the injury.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a low-calorie diet can slow down metabolism, but when stopped, the metabolic rate returns to normal. Variations in resting metabolic rate do not predict weight regain, suggesting other factors are at play.
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) has awarded $20,000 doctoral research grants to five Canadian students. The winners will study various aspects of international development, including civil war's impact on Burundi's populations and the effects of State decentralization in Senegal.
A 373-year-old white oak in Ohio's Dysart Woods provides a clear picture of a forest without human intervention. The tree's rings reveal information on droughts, weather patterns, and the impact of human activity on the environment.
A new study reveals that bullfrogs employ a rule-driven strategy in their calling behavior, which is both competitive and cooperative. By homing in on calls from distant neighbors or inhibiting close-by calls, male bullfrogs conserve energy while attracting females and maintaining territories.
The Purdue University engineers' modified office chair uses software algorithms to interpret pressure sensor data and determine the user's seating posture. The system demonstrated an overall accuracy of 96% in distinguishing between different postures, with a special dynamic system being worked on for real-time tracking.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that African Americans who undergo carotid endarterectomy (CEA) have worse outcomes than whites due to the operation being performed in less experienced hands. The study suggests that socioeconomic factors are influential in determining surgical outcome, rather than genetic differences.
The Joint Genome Institute (JGI) has produced high-quality draft sequences of 15 bacterial genomes in under a month, representing diverse organisms and a new approach to sequencing microbes. This data will be publicly available, providing scientists with immediate access to essential information for research.
Researchers found that alpha-synuclein, a key component of Parkinson's lesions, is targeted by oxidative stress, specifically nitration. This discovery provides conclusive evidence for the role of oxidative damage in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Researchers will study blood samples from sepsis patients to confirm the link between free radicals and falling blood pressure. The goal is to understand why blood pressure continues to plummet despite using pharmacological agents that should increase and maintain vascular pressure.
A UC Irvine study found that rice paddies emit significant amounts of methyl halide gases, contributing to stratospheric ozone depletion. The study suggests that agricultural sources play a role in this atmospheric phenomenon, and highlights the importance of understanding natural sources of ozone-depleting gases.
Listeria monocytogenes has discovered a mechanism for managing infection by living comfortably inside cells until ready to break out and spread the infection. The bacteria use a pore-forming toxin, listeriolysin O, that is modified with a PEST sequence tag, allowing it to evade the host's immune system.