A study found that genetically engineering adult neurons to produce more integrin protein dramatically increases nerve fiber growth. The approach has the potential to lead to new therapies for treating brain and spinal cord injuries. Researchers plan to further investigate this finding in animal models.
Researchers found average arsenic levels in Vietnamese wells exceeding three times the national health standard, with peaks up to 3,000 micrograms per liter. The study highlights a significant risk to over 11 million people living in rural areas, where untreated groundwater is consumed directly as drinking water.
Researchers found elevated levels of endocannabinoid anandamide and CB1 receptors in cirrhotic liver samples, suggesting a novel approach for managing vasodilation and portal hypertension. Elevated levels of anandamide may also reduce blood pressure.
A study found that tick-borne diseases are a major concern for travelers, with over 100 viruses and bacteria transmitted through ticks. The most serious problem is posed by hard ticks, which can cause mild irritation but also transmit fatal diseases like Lyme disease and tick-borne typhus.
Researchers developed a predictive model using MRI scans to estimate stroke recovery likelihood based on NIHSS score, time to scan, and ischaemic brain tissue volume. The model was validated in an independent dataset, identifying low, medium, and high recovery levels.
Researchers found that pramipexole prevented nearly 100% of brain cells from dying in mice with a Parkinson's-like condition. The drug also showed neurotrophic effects by increasing dopamine cell size, suggesting potential as a neuroprotective agent.
A multicentre randomised controlled trial found that conventional IVF had higher implantation rates (30%) compared to ICSI (22%), as well as a lower average laboratory time. The pregnancy rate was also higher after conventional IVF (33%). The study supports the current practice of reserving ICSI only for severe male fertility problems.
Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a new imaging technique that allows for the visualization of individual cells within living tumors. This technology enables researchers to monitor gene expression, therapy effectiveness, and tumor-cell interactions with normal cells, providing new insights into cancer biology.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a protein called myocardin, which is crucial for heart development in embryos. The study found that myocardin is necessary for the formation of cardiac genes and could potentially be used to convert non-cardiac cells into heart cells.
The American Heart Association has recognized four dedicated volunteers for their outstanding work in advancing the association's objectives. Edward Freis, Patricia Mahoney, Michael Moore, and Robert Roberts were honored for their efforts to reduce high blood pressure and promote heart health research.
The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) has awarded $10 million in new grants to support aging research, primarily focusing on junior faculty members. The grants will enable these investigators to make long-term commitments to the field of aging research.
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has detected unusual microlensing events in the M22 globular cluster, hinting at a new population of wandering, planet-sized objects. These bodies are estimated to have masses as low as 80 times that of Earth, a discovery that could challenge current understanding of celestial mechanics.
Global e-commerce growth is expected to significantly impact the transport industry, leading to a 50-100% increase in intercity freight trips and air travel by 2005. This shift is driven by increasing customer expectations for 'right now' deliveries and the need for more flexible, fragmented, and on-demand transport services.
Researchers have identified two distinct clusters of genes in the Arabidopsis genome that code for pollen coat proteins. These proteins enable the dry pollen coat to interact with stigma cells during pollination. The discovery provides insights into how plants recognize pollen and could lead to new techniques for crossing plants, preve...
Dr. Boucher is a leading researcher on cystic fibrosis, publishing over 300 articles and developing novel treatments. The University of North Carolina's genomics initiative receives $245 million in funding to advance research and therapies.
The four-member US team, consisting of Sean Kedrowski, Binghai Ling, Collin Martin and Albert Wang, will participate in the international contest alongside two alternates Andrew Chi and Jonathan Choi. The competition tests high school students' proficiency in chemistry theory and laboratory experiments.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are performing the first amniotic exchange procedure in the US to treat gastroschisis. The procedure involves removing caustic amniotic fluid and replacing it with sterile saline solution to improve fetal outcomes.
The [18 F]FDDNP PET scan revealed longer retention times of the tracer in areas with high densities of ß-amyloid senile plaques. This finding provides valuable insights into Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression. The image is expected to shed light on disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
A team from Michigan State University has found a new source of nitrogen fixation in spirochetes, corkscrew-shaped bacteria abundant in termite guts. This discovery opens up new possibilities for nitrogen availability and highlights the importance of microbes in animal nutrition and health.
A team of researchers from Tufts University and Brigham and Women's Hospital discovered that nitric oxide plays a key role in controlling the firefly flash. The findings, published in Science, reveal how a temporary cut in mitochondrial power supply triggers the firefly's bioluminescent glow.
The ADEMEX study found that increasing small solute clearances through modified dosing doesn't impact patient survival, contrary to current practice. This enables tailored prescriptions for individual patients without sacrificing survival benefits.
Researchers identified complete set of pollen coat proteins, revealing genetic clues to plant mating and self-recognition. The study found rapid divergence of mating genes across species boundaries, shedding light on evolutionary processes.
By altering the order of structural elements during folding, researchers successfully redesigned the protein G's pathway to mimic that of another protein. The re-engineered protein exhibited increased stability and a significantly faster folding rate than its natural counterpart.
Dr. Williams has been recognized for his work implementing better medical policy for African-American and Hispanic communities in Watts and the Greater Los Angeles area. He has raised millions of dollars for various organizations, including the King-Drew Sickle Cell Center and Association of Black Cardiologists.
Distinguished leaders Bryant, Robertson, and Warfel were honored for their dedication to the American Heart Association. The organization has grown to include over 22.5 million volunteers and supporters, dedicating $337 million to research support and community programs.
Australian researchers use giant rain gauges in crater lakes to study past climate change, finding a climate shift in the 1800s triggered lake level decline. Modern rainfall is only 80% of evaporation, requiring 95% rainfall to maintain pre-European levels.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that activation of vitamin A receptors can regulate the human circadian clock. This discovery provides an important clue to how the master clock in the brain regulates distal organs by controlling clocks throughout the body.
A new tool allows early prediction of patient's stroke outcome by combining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and time from symptoms to scan. The study found that patients with small lesion volumes were five times more likely to recover than those with larger volumes.
The Suquamish and Port Gamble S'Klallam tribes are working together with geologists to manage water quality through a long-term approach. They have established staff gauges and monitoring wells, as well as implemented wetland protection programs and watershed studies to protect their water resources for at least seven generations.
Jan L. Breslow and David A. Ness received the 2001 American Heart Association Gold Heart Award for their leadership in research, administration, and volunteer work. The award recognizes their significant contributions to advancing heart health through their work with the association.
Researchers observed that biting behavior in Polybia occidentalis wasps is a continuum, transitioning from mild to highly aggressive. This behavior affects the life cycle of individual wasps, influencing foraging and social hierarchy.
The university's technique has improved the success rate of cattle cloning from one in 20 to one in seven, paving the way for efficient meat production. Cloning technology will allow farmers to reproduce desirable traits and improve genetics at a faster rate.
A new study by Brown University researchers found that individuals describe themselves and their social groups using similar adjectives, yet fail to recognize they are not typical. The study suggests an egocentric bias, where people project their self-image onto the group, hindering conflict resolution.
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine reveals that weight gain and chemotherapy-induced ovarian failure are common problems among younger women with early-stage breast cancer. Researchers emphasize the importance of monitoring bone density and taking calcium supplements to mitigate potential long-term side effects.
A new statistical approach identifies four DNA sequence variations in three genes that work together to heighten a woman's risk of breast cancer. The technique, called Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction, can analyze multiple gene interactions using data from a reasonable number of patients.
A recent report by the National Research Council found that efforts to restore wetlands have made some headway, with a decline in annual wetland loss rates over the past 15 years. However, poor implementation of mitigation projects and lack of long-term monitoring continue to hinder progress.
Antarctica's Weddell Polynya forms due to a horizontal cyclonic eddy spinning off Maud Rise, affecting global ocean circulation and carbon cycle. The study aims to improve understanding of natural mechanisms driving polar ice cap changes.
Kinesin proteins use a unique 'head-over-head' mechanism to propel themselves forward, allowing them to transport vital cargo through the cell. Researchers have discovered that this process is controlled by the breakdown of ATP and involves a rocking motion that allows kinesin to complete long-distance walks in a few seconds.
Researchers discovered a multi-layered protection mechanism in yeast cells that prevents duplicate genes from causing cancer. The system involves three overlapping controls requiring the reversal of multiple chemical processes before genes can be re-copied.
The Lehigh Omnidirectional Tracking System (LOTS) enables US troops to locate and track remote enemy soldiers attempting to infiltrate positions. LOTS uses a 360-degree camera and AI-powered software to detect movement and alert commanders with an icon on a map.
Researchers from Penn State and the University of Verona developed a new approach to analyze the steadiness of a marksman's aim, which may help diagnose and monitor tremors in patients with neuro-muscular disorders. The technique combines statistical data analysis and stability analysis to track and explain the sources of tremor.
A nationwide study by Ohio State University found that ozone concentrations in US cities are primarily influenced by external factors such as construction and road intersections. The study revealed a positive correlation between public transportation use and reduced ozone levels, as well as the importance of preserving green space in d...
A meta-analysis of 39 impact studies reveals that bottom fishing gear types significantly affect sediment organism disturbance. Inter-tidal dredging causes the most negative impact, followed by scallop and inter-tidal raking.
Researchers found that patients with the lowest activity of a key folate-metabolizing enzyme suffered the highest degree of toxicity and treatment complications. Patients with the MTHFR variant had less than half the rate of folate-enzyme activity, resulting in increased oral mucositis symptoms and slower platelet recovery.
A Cornell University developmental psychologist found that American adults and preschool children remember experiences differently from indigenous Chinese. Americans report lengthy, emotionally elaborate memories focusing on the self, whereas Chinese tend to give brief accounts of general routine events centered on collective activitie...
Chemist Susan Temme has been awarded the Northeastern Regional High School Chemistry Teaching Award for her innovative teaching strategies, laboratory work, and leadership. She developed Cheshire High School's advanced placement chemistry curriculum and led staff development workshops.
Srinivas Akella receives $399,700 to develop software enabling industrial robots to manipulate flexible objects and assemble complex 3-D structures. His techniques could reduce manufacturing costs and time required for new products.
A new web-based taxonomic key enables researchers to identify mammals by answering a series of questions with accompanying images. The key, developed in collaboration with the University of Dar es Salaam, uses over 170 identified species as a starting point.
The study found associations between increased consumption of animal-based foods and higher risks of various diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and liver cancer. Plant-based diets were inversely associated with these health problems.
A recent Ohio State University study found that substance abuse is a key factor in determining recovery from traumatic brain injuries, not violence. Patients with a history of substance abuse were less satisfied with life and less productive one year after discharge.
Researchers are developing robotic lampreys with artificial muscle material, onboard compass, and sonar altimeter to mimic nature in technology. The robots can swim backward and maintain an S-shape during movement, making them ideal for stealthy underwater operations.
Researchers successfully synthesized two rare forms of carbohydrate molecules, including one found on Leptospira biflexa bacteria causing leptospirosis and Candida albicans fungus causing candidiasis. The team overcame a challenge in preparing the beta-mannose type linkage in carbohydrate chemistry.
A clearer picture has been obtained on why the protein doesn't function properly in the milder form of cystic fibrosis, attributed to segments sticking together and interfering with chloride flow. This discovery opens doors for new avenues of research in rational drug design.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis discovered that blood vessels signal the onset of bone loss in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. The discovery sheds light on how inflamed blood vessels trigger a cascade of events leading to local bone destruction.
Researchers at UGA have developed a new cloning technique with a success rate of one in seven, significantly improving the efficiency of the process. The technology will allow for the reproduction of desirable traits and improved genetics, benefiting producers and consumers.
The Office of Naval Research developed an inexpensive and effective HLA test to screen potential bone marrow donors, increasing compatibility by 30%. New research aims to slow down tissue rejection response, allowing near matches.
The Office of Naval Research has funded a study to develop new plasmid DNA vaccines for marine mammals, aiming to prevent epidemic disease. The studies may soon allow for better protection against infection using vaccination of individual animals within a population.
A study published in Clinical Chemistry explores the connection between metabolic abnormalities and SIDS, highlighting a potential standard protocol for medical examiners. MS/MS testing of infant and child deaths may help explain SIDS cases, offering new insights into this leading cause of childhood death.
The new A.I argumentation system, which uses defeasible reasoning, allows for a more natural and human-like approach to legal decision-making. This enables lawyers to build stronger arguments and make informed decisions based on competing perspectives.
A new technology, developed by Ohio University engineers, uses membranes to capture fine air pollutants and toxic heavy metals from industrial exhaust. The membrane electrostatic precipitator can help coal, steel, paper, and other industries meet EPA emissions regulations and make high-sulfur coal a more viable energy source.