Research on designer mice lacking vascular thrombomodulin has led to a greater understanding of the protein's importance in preventing blood clots. The study reveals that this critical regulator is necessary for maintaining normal blood coagulation, with severe consequences for those lacking it.
Researchers found a new protein supercomplex linking PSI and PSII in cyanobacteria, increasing light harvesting ability by 72%. This adaptation enables oxygen production even in low iron conditions, with significant global environmental implications. The discovery suggests an evolutionary link between the two photosynthetic complexes.
Research by University of Michigan cognitive neuroscientist Patricia Reuter-Lorenz found that older adults activate both hemispheres of the brain to perform memory and information processing tasks. This bi-hemispheric processing may help compensate for age-related short-term memory and mental speed declines.
The skin's acid coating, composed of fatty acids, helps maintain strength and cohesiveness. The discovery could aid in developing therapies for skin problems like psoriasis.
Researchers found that antioxidant treatment produced scattered blistering, lower inflammation, and extensive healing compared to no treatment or acid suppressants. Oxidative damage was a major cause of reflux oesophagitis, suggesting antioxidants should be considered primary treatment alongside acid suppressants.
Berkeley Lab is developing new computational tools, including algorithms and software frameworks, to tackle complex scientific problems. The funding will support the creation of a terascale simulation environment for accelerator science and technology.
Cannibalism is reevaluated as a complex practice with positive meanings among the Wari' people of the Amazon rainforest. The study reveals that funerary cannibalism was an act of affection, respect, and coping mechanism for grief, helping survivors to reconcile with their deceased loved ones.
A study of over 300 employees found that workplace passive smoking significantly adversely affected lung function, with a 5-10% reduction in lung function at the highest levels of exposure. Non-smokers exposed to passive smoke at home or in public places showed no similar decline.
A team of astronomers has discovered a Jupiter-size planet in a nearly circular orbit around the nearby star 47 Ursae Majoris, located about 51 light years from Earth. The new planet is at least three-fourths the mass of Jupiter and orbits the star at a distance that would place it beyond Mars but within the orbit of Jupiter.
Researchers investigate integrin signaling in psoriasis, discovering altered expression of key proteins involved in immune responses. This study sheds light on potential therapeutic targets for treatment of the chronic skin condition.
A study by Duke University researchers found that HIV patients value high levels of control over medical record access, leading them to choose distant clinics or withhold information. The results highlight the need for providers to prioritize patient confidentiality and provide training on record-keeping and sharing.
A new study suggests that modest dietary restrictions before fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) for colon cancer screening do not significantly impact completion rates. The report also notes that more severe restrictions may reduce test completion, highlighting the potential benefits of simplifying dietary advice for FOBT testing.
Researchers found that humans possess two activated copies of the IGF2R gene, which helps prevent fetal overgrowth and cancer susceptibility. This genetic difference may make human cloning less complicated than other animals.
A study of over 19,000 adults in Spain found that moderate to high alcohol consumption, including beer and spirits, was associated with lower levels of subjective ill health. Wine drinkers had less ill health than non-wine drinkers, but this association varied by age.
PPPL will participate in four SciDAC projects focused on plasma confinement systems and data analysis, aiming to improve physics models and computer resources. The projects will enable geographically separated scientists to collaborate and analyze high-speed data.
Researchers are exploring postraumatic vaccination as a potential treatment for spinal cord injuries, showing promise in promoting neural regeneration and recovery. Early studies suggest that this approach may improve functional outcomes and quality of life for affected individuals.
Researchers create antibody Fab D18, which blocks prion propagation and clears infectious prions from cell cultures. This breakthrough provides a potential therapeutic target for a human drug to cure established infection.