A study of over 3,000 senior citizens found that some drinking among the elderly may fight age-related brain injuries like silent strokes and white matter disease, but any level of alcohol intake may shrink brain matter. Light drinkers had fewer white matter lesions than abstainers or heavy drinkers.
Researchers have found that combining amphetamines with speech therapy can significantly improve speech and language skills in patients with aphasia caused by stroke. The study suggests that the drug works by releasing noradrenaline, which may help brain cells wake up and become more responsive.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have solved the first high-resolution structure of a membrane transporter, which can help design new drugs against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and certain cancer cells. The breakthrough could lead to increased efficacy of chemotherapy agents.
Researchers have discovered how plants' self-incompatibility works on a molecular level, revealing highly specific lock-and-key interactions between pollen and stigma. This breakthrough could enable genetic engineers to short-circuit reproduction and increase genetic variability in crops like tomatoes and rice.
Researchers used low doses of dextroamphetamine in a four-year study of 21 stroke survivors with aphasia. The drug group made significant gains in communication abilities, surpassing 15-point clinically significant changes in 83% of participants.
Researchers identified a hybrid gene in the 1918 flu virus that was produced from parts of two other influenza viruses through a process called recombination. This discovery suggests that the outbreak was triggered by the recombination, which increased the virus's virulence.
A systematic review of randomised trials found that women treated with combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy had an increased survival rate of 12% and reduced local and distant disease recurrence by around 40%. However, toxic side-effects were more common.
A preliminary study suggests that levodopa combined with physiotherapy can improve motor recovery in stroke patients. After three weeks of treatment, the levodopa group showed a significant improvement in motor function compared to the placebo group, with an RMA score gain of 6.4 points versus 4.1 points.
A large-scale study found no association between folic acid supplement use and increased risk of miscarriage. The researchers assessed 23,806 women who had taken part in a folic-acid campaign before becoming pregnant for the first time.
Researchers found that antibodies can convert oxygen into hydrogen peroxide, a previously unknown mechanism that could enhance their killing power and contribute to autoimmune diseases like lupus. This discovery opens up exciting possibilities for new antibody-mediated therapies for bacterial, viral, and cancer treatments.
Researchers found that young stars in Orion exhibit high levels of X-ray flaring, sufficient to explain the production of unusual isotopes locked away in ancient meteorites. This discovery suggests that our Sun may have also formed these isotopes during its baby years.
Researchers at VBI are developing software to integrate metabolomics data with gene expression and proteomics, enabling scientists to pinpoint the exact function of genes and proteins. The collaboration with Phenomenome aims to create a global understanding of biological systems from a dynamic perspective.
NGC 3310 is forming clusters of new stars at a prodigious rate, with hundreds of individual young, luminous stars visible throughout the galaxy. The wide range of cluster ages suggests that the starbursting can continue for an extended interval, once triggered.
A new study on identical twins found that genetics plays a predominant role in differences in cholesterol levels, but diet also significantly contributes to variations in cholesterol levels. The researchers controlled for genetic factors and found an environmental association between diet and cholesterol levels.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a new CT scan technique that allows for precise diagnosis and quick treatment of acute strokes. This technique involves perfusion-weighted CT scans that help physicians predict patient outcomes and administer the appropriate treatment, resulting in improved clinical recovery.
A clinical study found that children with severe hemophilia have a high risk of developing deep venous thrombosis linked to long-term catheter implants. Eight out of 15 boys in the study developed blood clots in the veins near their hearts.
Research found that nonsmoking spouses of smokers consumed unhealthy diets with high fat and cholesterol, but low fiber and essential nutrients. The study suggests that these dietary choices can exacerbate the risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and other chronic diseases in nonsmoking spouses.
The MGH research team has solved the structure of an integrin receptor, a key protein involved in diseases such as tumor angiogenesis, breast cancer metastasis, and osteoporosis. The finding may help develop strategies to target these diseases with novel anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-osteoporosis drugs.
A small genetic change in the PB2 gene makes influenza viruses more potent, warns of potential dangers of new strains. Research helps develop strategies for detecting future outbreaks and prepares for pandemics.
Biologists at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered a biochemical pathway in animals responsible for detoxification of heavy metals. The discovery establishes a firm basis for determining its ubiquity in other animals and clarifies how animals eliminate, sequester and metabolize heavy metals.
The TRANSMAP system combines land and marine data to provide real-time information on road conditions and weather forecasts. It allows users to view current and historic data from multiple sensors, as well as overlay maps from the state's Geographic Information System.
E-BioSci aims to provide complete searchable combinations of information available to every scientist globally. The platform leverages partnerships among EMBO, CINES, CSIC, DIMDI, EDINA, EMBL-EBI, and ingenta plc to offer a vast research library.
New York University researchers found an antibody that destroys platelets, which are essential for the blood to clot. The discovery may lead to new treatments for thrombocytopenia, a condition associated with HIV infection and other vascular diseases.
A study published in The Lancet found that recovering hand control after nerve damage involves a learning process similar to acquiring a second language. Researchers identified an optimal age range below 5-10 years for sensory relearning, followed by rapid decline and leveling out after puberty.
Researchers found that new collateral blood flow pathways were created in the brain after a minor stroke. This suggests that the brain can recover some blood flow after a small stroke, potentially reducing damage and improving long-term recovery.
Researchers found that a minor change in the arrangement of molecules can turn a relatively benign flu virus into a deadly one. The study used mice to show that even a small amount of the virulent form of the virus was enough to cause fatal infections, highlighting the potential for animal-to-human transmission.