The Gulf Coast Consortia is a new research and education initiative funded by a $3.5 million grant from the W. M. Keck Foundation. The consortium brings together six public and private institutions to address the national shortage of researchers and promote inter-institutional collaboration.
Researchers have developed a new method for studying viral entry, which reveals that key steps occur much faster than previously believed. The study found that viruses can penetrate cells within minutes, using the cell's own transportation system to reach the nucleus.
Researchers have developed a way to synthesize ciguatoxin, the toxin responsible for seafood poisoning, which will enable scientists to better understand its effects on humans and prepare toxin-fighting antibodies. The breakthrough could lead to more efficient methods for detecting infected fish before they reach the market.
The NIAID's new center will support research on three to 10 important pathogens over the next three years. It will develop new technologies for analyzing gene function, train researchers, and provide resources for the scientific community. The center aims to better understand individual genes and proteins to develop targeted treatments.
The Wildlife Conservation Society will use the grant to manage and protect key areas with intact ecosystems, such as the Ndoki-Likouala rain forest in the Republic of Congo and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. WCS's Living Landscapes approach aims to balance human needs with wildlife conservation.
A team of researchers at Stanford Medicine has discovered a new gene family, the Tim family, that plays a crucial role in asthma development. The link between this gene family and the hepatitis A virus may help explain why asthma rates have increased where hepatitis A infection rates have dropped.
Researchers have discovered long-term potentiation, a brain process that strengthens connections and promotes memory. This process involves the rapid relocation of receptors in synapses, leading to increased synaptic transmission and potentially explaining why memory can falter.
Researchers at USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center developed a test that analyzes tumor tissue to predict response to oxaliplatin and 5-FU chemotherapy. Patients with low ERCC1 and TS expression survived longer than those with high levels, indicating the potential for more effective treatment customization.
The Saint Louis University School of Public Health has launched High 5-Kids, a four-year program aiming to educate parents on normal childhood eating patterns. The initiative seeks to encourage healthy eating habits among preschool children, aged 3-5 years, and promote a balanced diet to prevent obesity and cancer.
A study by Stanford University urologist James D. Brooks confirms a direct connection between selenium and reduced risk of prostate cancer, particularly among older men with lower blood levels of the essential mineral.
A Dutch study found that long-term ecstasy use is associated with brain-cell damage in women, particularly in serotonin neurons. The effects of moderate ecstasy use on these neurons have not been studied, highlighting the need for further research.
UCSD researchers have discovered a natural regulatory protein, RGS-PX1, with dual roles in regulating cellular functions. The protein modulates both cell signaling and membrane trafficking, offering new avenues for disease research and potential targets for developing drugs to treat heart failure, hormone imbalances, and cancer.
The study found that internet users watch significantly less television than non-internet users, with a decline of 4.5 hours per week. Parents are increasingly denying access to the internet as punishment, and young people are more likely to prefer online interactions over in-person ones.
A 1998 study on childhood sexual abuse has been widely discredited by Stanford researchers, citing flawed research methods and misleading data. The authors re-examined the data and found significant problems with the initial analysis, including biased samples and misreporting of original data.
A genetic vaccine developed by the University of Nebraska Medical Center has shown promising results in mice studies, combining DNA and adenovirus to deliver a tumor suppressor factor. The vaccine improved survival rates up to 40% in mice with metastatic breast cancer.
Researchers have detected a rigid material within the fluid outer core, with implications for Earth's magnetic field and rotation axis. The discovery was made using advanced seismic tomography techniques.
Researchers developed a new fluorescence resonance energy transfer technique to track changes in protein structure, enabling precise correlation with functions. The method shows potential for understanding issues like biocompatibility of medical implants, blood clotting processes, and cancer metastasis.
A recent study suggests that predators play a key role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. The research, conducted on small islands with no natural predators, found that the absence of top-down regulation led to an explosion in plant-eating animals and herbivores, resulting in a collapse of vegetation.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified nearly all the genes responsible for vision in mice, which could lead to new methods for preserving and restoring vision. The discovery provides a genetic data base that can help identify genes mutated in inherited diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and cone-rod dystrophy.
A recent Amnesty International report highlights the torture and ill-treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Health experts argue that healthcare providers have a moral responsibility to uphold the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Scientists have created a novel crystal lattice with unprecedented optical properties, enabling the manipulation of light at higher frequencies. This breakthrough has potential applications in telecommunications and drug separation.
A team of scientists led by Joanne Chory and Detlef Weigel studied the natural variation in light sensitivity across different Arabidopsis varieties. They found that strains from lower latitudes were less sensitive to light, and that specific genetic mutations affected the molecule's ability to transmit signals. The study sheds light o...
Scientists have found that fully protected marine reserves can replenish nearby fisheries, increasing catches and producing bigger fish. In Florida, recreational fishers are catching record-breaking sizes of black drum, red drum, and spotted sea trout in waters adjacent to the US's oldest marine reserve.
Researchers at Stanford University studied the Caribbean spiny lobster's ability to track odors using its antennules, finding that rapid downstroke allows high-resolution information capture while slow upstroke provides time for analysis. The findings could help develop robots for plume tracing underwater.
Researchers have discovered two independent pathways for mRNA export from the nucleus, revealing the role of adapter proteins in regulating this process. The study used cell-permeable peptides to selectively block the action of these proteins, demonstrating their importance in transporting mRNAs for early response genes.
Researchers have developed a semiconductor technology that converts waste heat into electricity with unprecedented efficiency. The new device, called 'thermal diodes,' operates at high temperatures and has the potential to revolutionize power generation and recovery of waste heat from power plants and automobiles.
A study is underway to test the effectiveness of zoledronate, a bisphosphonate medication, in preventing bone loss in spinal cord injury patients. The results could also have implications for astronauts on long-duration space missions, where bone loss is a significant concern.
John Seiler, a tree physiology specialist, has received the USDA teaching award for his exceptional teaching skills and innovative approaches to educating students about forestry. He is also a recipient of several prestigious awards for his academic achievements in forestry education.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that adults tend to interpret messages metaphorically, whereas children tend to take things literally. As people grow older, their ability to understand and use metaphors improves, reflecting cognitive and linguistic advancements.
A new study published in Nature reveals that increased activity in one brain system is associated with decreased activity in another during learning of a simple skill. The findings suggest new strategies for dealing with learning disorders and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease, as well as a better understanding of brain plasticity.
An international team of astronomers has discovered a very massive stellar black hole in the Milky Way Galaxy, weighing 14 times more than our Sun. The black hole is located in the binary system GRS 1915+105 and feeds on a low-mass star through a steady flow of stellar material.
Researchers investigate phenotypic variability in cystic fibrosis, revealing its impact on disease progression and treatment outcomes. The study highlights the importance of personalized medicine approaches to better manage CF patients.
Researchers found that medical school applicants with narcissistic personality disorder are more likely to engage in unethical behavior. The study suggests that screening out these individuals could minimize the risk of disasters like the Shipman murders.
A large study of nearly 40,000 women in Denmark found that moderate drinkers became pregnant faster than non-drinkers. However, high alcohol intake was related to longer waiting times, particularly among older women and those who smoked or were overweight.
The analysis found that two-thirds of the world's blind are concentrated in India, China, and Africa. Women living in underdeveloped countries were almost 40% more likely to be blind than men, while those in industrialized nations had a risk 63% higher.
Kilkelly's research explores the historical performances of jazz-tap dancing, considering constructions of gender, race, class, and sexuality. She aims to increase appreciation for tap dancing as a valuable art form revealing American culture.
A combination treatment of statin and niacin reduced cardiovascular events by 60-90%, reversing plaque buildup in the arteries. Antioxidant vitamins had no significant benefit on cardiovascular outcomes, contrary to previous assumptions.
A study found excessive inflammation and abnormal markings in lungs of healthy, middle-class children exposed to high levels of air pollutants in Mexico City. The research suggests a significant link between pollution and lung disease in otherwise healthy children.
Research in South Africa found that over 80% of respondents had witnessed or been victims of stranger violence, with 70% experiencing violence at home. The study concluded that high levels of violence put children at risk of serious mental health problems.
Researchers are studying ancient plant fossils in the Arctic to understand how plants adapted to harsh climates and survived continental-drift events. By analyzing fossilized leaves, stems, and roots, scientists can infer climate conditions and predict where tropical forests once existed.
Researchers found transgenic DNA in four out of six native Mexican corn samples, including the presence of a popular insecticidal bacterium. The contamination is believed to have occurred through multiple pollinations over time, threatening the region's diverse genetic heritage.
Researchers have found that vitamin B-vitamins can reduce the risk of repeat blockage in coronary arteries by 48 percent. This is based on a clinical trial involving 205 patients who received either a placebo or vitamin B-vitamins, with significant differences observed between the two groups.
Researchers have developed optimized antiviral peptide vaccines that exhibit enhanced efficacy against various viral infections, including HIV and SARS-CoV-2. These improvements are attributed to the incorporation of specific amino acid sequences that enhance immune responses.
Researchers investigated post-transcriptional regulation of COX2 in tumor cells. They found that microRNA-21 plays a crucial role in modulating COX2 expression by targeting its mRNA for degradation.
A new computer program, First Exon Finder, has been developed to detect overlooked gene segments in the human genome. The program identifies non-coding first exons, which are essential components of gene structure and function.
A study of over 1,900 young football players found that nearly a third suffered wrist fractures while trying to make saves with adult-sized balls. The most common injuries occurred during informal play on grass, with adult-size balls involved in almost three-quarters of incidents.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that factors like poverty, low education, and social isolation are linked to inadequate purchasing power for a nutritious diet. The research also reveals that functional impairments significantly increase the risk of food insecurity among elderly individuals.
A new study has shown that the flu shot does not trigger asthma attacks in people with moderate to severe asthma. The study included 2,032 children and adults diagnosed with asthma, who received either a real or placebo flu vaccine, with all participants receiving the actual flu vaccine by the end of the study.
A study published in Nature reveals that global fisheries catch has been declining steadily since the late 1980s, with vast over-reporting by China contributing to a false picture of ocean health. The study's authors warn that flawed data has led to complacency and unwise investment decisions.
Researchers at Stanford and Caltech have made a breakthrough in neural prosthetics, demonstrating that electrical signals from the parietal reach region can control movement and planning. The study enabled a monkey to control a cursor with its thoughts, paving the way for potential applications in helping severely paralyzed patients.
Researchers have successfully treated kidney tumors using radio frequency energy, achieving a 91% tumor ablation rate and no cancer recurrences in 9 of 11 patients. The minimally invasive procedure is less expensive, safer, and easier than surgery.
A US study of 2,481 heart disease patients found that treatment did not lower mortality rates despite reducing depression and boosting social support. Researchers hope to analyze data further to understand why the treatment failed to benefit patients.
A study published in 2001 found that patients with autism who received secretin showed no statistically significant improvements in core symptoms compared to those who received a placebo. The researchers tested porcine secretin and found no improvement in secondary measures of autism either.
Researchers found that deaf people's brains process vibrations in the same part of the brain as sound, leading to a similar musical experience. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that brains are hardwired at birth and instead shows that our genes provide a developmental strategy for brain organization.
Astronomers detected sodium in the atmosphere of a gas giant exoplanet orbiting a yellow star. The team used Hubble's spectrometer to analyze light passing through the planet's atmosphere, revealing less sodium than expected, which may indicate high-altitude clouds blocking some light.
Researchers found osteopontin is present in higher levels in the brains of individuals with MS and mice models. Osteopontin's presence may accelerate disease progression, prompting efforts to block its effects.
A double-blind study conducted in China found that chlorophyllin supplements reduced DNA damage related to aflatoxin exposure in healthy adults. The study showed a 55% reduction in aflatoxin damage, which could lead to a lower risk of liver cancer.
The Purdue-based center will focus on bioremediation and phytoremediation to clean up pollution. It will work with state governments, local communities, and industry to revitalize polluted sites using cost-effective natural remediation technologies.
Canadian researchers found high levels of PhIP, a suspected mammary carcinogen, in human breast milk, particularly in samples from women who consumed grilled meats. To minimize exposure, experts recommend reducing cooked meat intake, avoiding charbroiled or well-done meats, and exploring alternative cooking methods.
Researchers at UW-Madison found that female rats have an improved protective reaction to oxygen deprivation, suggesting a role for estrogen in respiratory control. The study suggests that gender hormones may be a factor in the development of obstructive sleep apnea, particularly in women.