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.
Researchers found that using rewards with naltrexone significantly improved treatment retention and naltrexone compliance. Patients who earned vouchers for drug-free behavior saw an increase in these outcomes.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that 18% of schoolchildren experience food-allergy attacks, with milk and peanut being the most common culprits. Parents and schools must work together to provide emergency plans and medication to prevent reactions.
A UCSF study of exclusive receptive oral intercourse with a male partner found a very low probability of acquiring HIV. The study involved 198 participants, none of whom contracted HIV through oral sex.
A recent study published in Clinical Therapeutics found that reminder programs may not improve medication adherence among patients taking pravastatin. Patients who complied with their medication regimen were more likely to adopt other coronary risk-reducing behaviors, such as regular exercise and better eating habits.
Advanced practice nurse home visits significantly lower infant mortality, preterm births, and rehospitalizations. The intervention also yields substantial savings to the healthcare system.
A study found a 99.65% chance of survival for newborns with minimal environmental factors, while space flight reduced sleep-related disturbances by 55%. Undiagnosed airflow obstruction affects 12% of older US adults, with mild cases often leading to pronounced shortness of breath.
Researchers have identified scientifically based selection criteria for patients seeking lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) as a potential treatment for advanced emphysema. High-risk patients with severe lung damage and poor outcomes after surgery are no longer being enrolled in the study, but will continue to receive medical treatment.
A nationwide study by Ohio State University researchers found that gun owners have less faith in the federal government than non-owners. The study controlled for various factors, including political ideology and fear of crime, and found a significant correlation between distrust of government and gun ownership.
Researchers found that individuals who separate their identity from negatively perceived organizations are more likely to maintain a positive distinctiveness and distance themselves from those stereotypes. This phenomenon, called disidentification, often leads to action against the organization.
Research at the University of Minnesota suggests that early drinking is a symptom of an underlying predisposition to alcoholism and other behavioral problems. Early drinkers are more likely to experience drug abuse, delinquency, antisocial behavior, and decreased educational attainment.
A team of four researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has received a $1 million grant to solve various problems using inverse problems, a branch of applied mathematics. They aim to develop algorithms for detecting tumors, locating submerged objects, and identifying cracks in airplanes using low-frequency elastic waves.
A study found that moderate alcohol exposure during early pregnancy can cause noticeable reductions in infant attention and motor maturity, similar to continuous or late exposure. This contradicts previous research suggesting growth and behavioral problems only occur with later exposure.
Researchers at Yale University have identified a genetic cause of high blood pressure, a condition that affects 25% of adult populations. The study found two genes that contribute to the disease, which is linked to increased salt reabsorption and diminished potassium secretion in the kidneys.
A recent study by Carnegie Mellon scientists discovered that reading and listening to identical sentences produce systematically different brain activation patterns. The right hemisphere was less active during reading, while the left-hemisphere's pars triangularis region showed increased activation in listening comprehension. This sugg...
A genetic mutation known as Id1 may help detect melanoma early, when it's still curable. High levels of Id1 are found only in the first stages of melanoma, making it a potential diagnostic marker.
A new NASA satellite sensor and field experiment reveals that aerosols can both cool the surface and warm the atmosphere. By analyzing data from the Indian Ocean Experiment (INDOEX) campaign, scientists found a regional cooling effect of up to three times greater than the warming effect of greenhouse gases.
Medical school leaders in the US express concerns about the health and quality of their clinical research enterprises, citing pressure on faculty to see patients, insufficient revenues, and difficulties recruiting trained researchers. Despite some positive findings, many believe that addressing these challenges is crucial for advancing...
Deregulated electric utilities will need to change their marketing strategies to provide standardized information, enabling consumers to make informed choices. The study found that people prefer to choose utilities by comparing standardized labels, similar to shopping for food at the supermarket.
Researchers found that HIV-induced changes in B cells lead to dysfunctional antibody production and increased risk of cancer. The study provides a key tool to investigate how HIV causes B-cell malfunction and may lead to the development of new treatments for HIV-infected individuals.
The Mayo Clinic emphasizes the need for quality web-based genetics information for patients and physicians. Researchers found that patients often turn to the internet for genetic information, but may find it confusing and inaccurate. Centralizing access to reliable websites and improving readability could address these issues.
The Penn team will focus on contusions and examine individual neurons' responses to injury. They aim to identify patterns of genes and proteins that are activated or suppressed, which could lead to new medications and treatments.
Researchers found that an early AFD is associated with increased rates of substance abuse, mental health problems, and educational underachievement. Early drinking is also linked to genetic risk for disinhibitory behaviors, suggesting it may be a symptom rather than a cause of alcoholism.
Researchers found no significant differences in sexual development between children fed cow milk and soy formulas, despite concerns over phytoestrogens. The study, spanning nearly three decades, suggests long-term exposure to soy-based infant formula may not have a 'feminizing' effect on children.
Men with constipation were nearly three times as likely to develop Parkinson's disease over the next 24 years compared to those without constipation. The study suggests a potential link between bowel movement frequency and the risk of developing Parkinson's, highlighting the importance of understanding how the disease progresses.
A large-scale clinical trial tested two investigational drugs, remacemide and Coenzyme Q10, to slow the progression of Huntington's disease. While Coenzyme Q10 seemed to improve the condition after one year, the overall results are inconclusive as to its effectiveness in slowing down the disease.
Researchers unveil a new technique for analyzing tiny airway biopsies, revealing a new disease suspect in asthma - the NKCC1 gene. The technique quickly measures multiple gene activities, supporting current hypotheses about asthma mechanisms while pointing to an unexpected role in excess mucus secretion.
Researchers identify genes from a rare Austrian plant that allow it to accumulate large amounts of nickel, enabling the potential to engineer crops to clean up polluted sites. This discovery could also lead to functional foods with micronutrients and improved crop nutrition.
A study of 347 patients found that CoQ10 slowed the decline of patients with Huntington's disease by an average of 15 percent, improving cognitive skills and daily responsibilities. However, the results are inconclusive due to limited patient numbers, and more research is needed before CoQ10 can be recommended as a treatment.
A US study of 415 people found that patients taking donepezil maintained their level of functioning 72% longer than those receiving a placebo. Another study involving 286 people in Scandinavia and the Netherlands showed similar results, highlighting donepezil's effectiveness in preserving daily activities.
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has received a $2.5 million gift from the Avon Products Foundation to support innovative breast cancer research and clinical care initiatives, including immune response-based treatments and access to quality care for medically underserved women.
Researchers at McGill University have isolated novel stem cells from the dermis of adult rodents that can differentiate into various cell types, including neurons and muscle cells. These multipotent stem cells, known as SKPs, hold promise for treating Parkinson's disease and other neural disorders.
A new validated method measures HHMA in body fluids, establishing it as a likely contributor to Ecstasy's side effects. The detection of HHMA may provide new insights into the drug's effects and long-term toxicity.
Researchers used NMR technology to analyze lipoprotein size and concentration in 262 patients with high-risk heart disease. The study found that a commonly prescribed statin, pravastatin, was equally effective in lowering bad cholesterol levels regardless of LDL particle size.
The first public human genome sequence was successfully assembled using GigAssembler, a computer program developed by James Kent and David Haussler. The program utilized a greedy algorithm to assemble nearly 400,000 DNA sequence pieces, resulting in an 88% complete draft.
Researchers have found that aging rats exhibit fragmented behavioral rhythms, taking naps when they should be active. The study suggests that the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) cells, responsible for regulating circadian rhythms, may be losing their ability to mark time as individuals age.
A study of 350 men and women found that mental aging begins in the 20s with continuous declines in processing power. By mid-60s, people may notice a decline in everyday activities. An increase in experience and knowledge can compensate for losses until age 50.
Researchers developed a new processing method to enhance protein content in spaghetti using corn gluten meal, increasing it from approximately 8g to 10g per two-ounce serving. The modified pasta has good flavor and texture, making it a potential market opportunity for food manufacturers.
The UC-SMART program is allocating $1.5 million over four years to support cutting-edge semiconductor research at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Researchers will focus on developing novel materials and devices for optical and electronic applications, including organic chromophores, nanoparticle patterning, self-assembled ...
Researchers at UCSF have found that two existing drugs, quinacrine and chlorpromazine, can effectively treat mouse cells infected with prions, which cause rare neurodegenerative diseases. The study suggests that these drugs may also be effective in patients with advanced disease, paving the way for potential new treatment options.
A study by Duke University Medical Center found that feelings of abandonment, punishment, and alienation from God can increase mortality risk among the elderly. The research highlights the need for spiritual assessment and pastoral interventions to address chronic religious struggles in patients with major medical illnesses.
A new study at Duke University Medical Center reveals that depressed heart failure patients are twice as likely to die or be re-admitted to hospital within three months and one year. The researchers recommend testing for depression in all CHF patients to improve outcomes.
John D. Gearhart praises the policy as a good starting point for expanding stem cell research, despite limitations in funding and oversight. He emphasizes the potential of federal funding to accelerate progress and improve human health through advances in understanding and treating various diseases.
The study found that value messages in American primary schools primarily focus on orderliness and hard work, with modern values like cultural diversity and choice also present. Schools' organizational interests influence the interpretation of value terms, such as citizenship and self-esteem.