Paleontologists have used microCT technology to visualize the internal structure of fossilized embryos, providing new insights into early animal evolution. The discoveries offer a glimpse into the development of ancient animals and shed light on their habitats.
A recent study on Brazilian brachiopods has provided valuable insights into the life and times of ancient creatures. The research, led by David Rodland, sheds light on the encrustation patterns of modern brachiopods and their potential to estimate water depth and plankton productivity in ancient oceans.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have isolated a protein from bacteria that kills cancer cells without causing harm. The protein, azurin, was tested in mice with human melanomas and showed significant tumor shrinkage, with no deaths or adverse reactions.
Researchers propose that Oxygen-making microbes came later, around 100 million years after the emergence of Sulfur-loving bacteria. This revised evolutionary history may explain the lack of cyanobacteria fossils in ancient iron formations and resolve biochemical contradictions.
Postmenopausal women taking glucocorticoids are at a significantly increased risk of spinal fractures, with nearly six-fold higher odds compared to those not using the medication. Long-term use for chronic diseases can lead to glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO), which increases the risk of fracture.
The USC consortium has received a $15 million NCI grant to determine the causes of colon cancer. The registry, which now consists of over 8,000 families, will focus on genetic factors, gene-environment interactions, and launching prevention trials.
Researchers have found that fossils in storm beds are not randomly distributed, but instead follow a non-random pattern, preserving the original structure of ancient sea floor habitats. This study provides valuable insights into understanding ecological relationships and movement of organism habitats through space and time.
The University of Louisville has been designated as a CDC biodefense center, equipped with resources and expertise to research and prepare for bioterrorism attacks. The center will conduct epidemiological and communications research to ensure quick responses to potential epidemics.
Researchers found that the Chicxulub crater in Mexico had about 18,000 cubic kilometers of impact melt, while the Sudbury crater in Canada had approximately 31,000 cubic kilometers. The significant difference in melt volume could be explained by an asteroid striking Chicxulub and a comet impacting Sudbury.
The MINOS study found high levels of air pollution over the Mediterranean Sea, originating from both western and eastern Europe, as well as South Asia. The pollution transport follows prevailing winds and affects ecosystems and human health, while aerosols alter solar radiation absorption and climate patterns.
A preliminary study of the Paleobiology Database reveals that fragile fossils occur as frequently as durable ones, contradicting the expectation that tough skeletons would be more common. This finding suggests that the fossil record may be a more reliable source of information than previously thought.
A new combination therapy of photodynamic therapy and triamcinolone injection significantly improves visual acuity in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration. The treatment requires fewer retreatments compared to existing therapies, including Visudyne, and reduces costs.
Women's stroke symptoms differ from men's, often non-traditional and less specific. The study found that women were more likely to report non-traditional symptoms like pain and changes in consciousness.
Researchers have developed a method to measure spring output and analyze groundwater flow in the Blue Ridge province. The technique helps determine how much water is available for wells, addressing a pressing issue in Virginia due to drought and rapid growth.
A Virginia Tech research project suggests that body size may not be directly related to evolutionary or ecological success. Early findings indicate that diversity and body size increased together during the history of life, but this relationship broke down at the end of the Ordovician period, around 440 million years ago.
Researchers will study ultra high field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to develop clearer, more precise images of the body's interior. The goal is to improve diagnosis and treatment for patients.
Researchers are studying Europa's icy shell to understand its composition and potential for supporting life. A computer model suggests organisms could thrive beneath the thick cap of ice, while another analysis reveals cracks and ridges formed by Jupiter's tides.
Herb Frey and his daughter Erin have discovered subtle quasi-circular depressions, or QCDs, that suggest a Pre-Noachian period on Mars. These findings indicate that the oldest visible Martian crust is not the oldest, but rather part of an even earlier geological time period.
Researchers at Duke University have uncovered a new role for beta-arrestin in regulating cyclic AMP levels by recruiting phosphodiesterases to the membrane. This finding highlights the complex interplay between these two mechanisms, which were previously thought to be distinct and unrelated.
A study projects that increasing BMD testing for women with osteoporosis or osteopenia would reduce fractures by 6,683 over three years and result in net Medicare savings of $15.5 million. This could lead to increased patient benefits while reducing costs.
A recent study found that psychological abuse is equally damaging to physical health as physical abuse, with both forms of abuse linked to chronic illnesses and poor general health. The study analyzed data from the National Violence Against Women Survey and found that men and women who experienced either form of violence were more like...
Researchers at Whitehead Institute have created a global script describing how the yeast genome produces life, revealing the complex relationships between genes and proteins. This breakthrough allows for a vast network of interactions to be mapped, enabling targeted pharmaceutical approaches for diseases such as cancer.
A new study by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute uses a large sample of live caterpillars to analyze tropical insect community composition. The research finds that there is indeed a predictable structure in caterpillar communities, allowing for more accurate measurements and applications in various studies.
Researchers from Leiden investigated the role of constraints in evolution using tropical butterflies. They found that constraints sometimes play a role and sometimes do not, contradicting previous assumptions about natural selection.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have discovered an acid-catalyzed process that brings about secondary organic aerosol formation, potentially generating five to 10 times more aerosol in the atmosphere. The study's findings appear to explain various phenomena leading to aerosol formation and have important ...
Researchers studying walleye fish in Minnesota waterways find high levels of estrogenic chemicals, linked to reproductive changes. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico aquaculture projects test new offshore cages to minimize environmental impact and promote sustainable fisheries.
The International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial (ISAT) study found that coiling significantly reduces death and disability from brain aneurysms. Over 2,000 patients were treated with either surgical clipping or coiling, resulting in favorable outcomes for those receiving the coils.
A study by Dr. Scott Tomar found that men using snuff were more than twice as likely to switch to cigarettes than vice versa, with 40% of former snuff users continuing or starting smoking. The study also linked snuff use to increased cancer risk and other health problems.
Researchers have found that high-frequency stimulation of the brain can alleviate obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. Two patients who underwent electrode implantation showed significant improvement in compulsive behaviors, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for severe OCD.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that endovascular coil therapy is significantly more effective than neurosurgical clipping in treating subarachnoid hemorrhage. For patients with suitable conditions, the treatment resulted in a relative reduction of 25% in risk of dependency or death after one year, as well as an absolute r...
The Rutgers project aims to develop software that allows medical researchers and physicians to share and analyze brain imaging data online, improving the understanding of brain disorders. The new search tools will focus on dynamic brain activity, filtering away secondary signals to reveal underlying pathways.
The Center for Biophotonics Science and Technology will bring together researchers to develop new technology that enables scientists and physicians to see living cells in real-time. Applications of biophotonics include selectively treating tumors, sequencing DNA, and identifying single biomolecules within cells.
A study compared the impact of young adult teams (YAT) and ad hoc services on young disabled people's participation in society. YATs were found to be more effective, with participants being 2.5 times more likely to engage in activities. The findings suggest that coordinated multidisciplinary teams can make a difference at no extra cost.
A study found that conventional explanations of consent forms were insufficient to ensure understanding among research participants in Haiti. In contrast, in-depth explanations with visual material resulted in high pass rates on an oral test, highlighting the need for new techniques to improve informed consent processes.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science observe 'sister chromosome' repair mechanism, which is responsible for 85% of last-resort repairs. This system enables cells to repair genetic damage without creating mutations, increasing genetic diversity and driving evolution.
Researchers at Imperial College London discovered that Toxoplasma gondii's myosin A gene is essential for its gliding motion and host cell invasion. The motor enables the parasite to penetrate cells within 10-30 seconds, allowing it to replicate safely.
A team of researchers has discovered that methane-producing microorganisms use a 'pressure valve' mechanism to regulate energy consumption. By allowing hydrogen ions to leak through the cell membrane at high concentrations, the bacteria minimize energy loss and maintain optimal conditions for growth.
A self-reporting questionnaire for children aged six to eight years has been developed and validated as a tool for identifying depressive children. The study found that the new questionnaire was just as effective as the American standardized tests in measuring depression, with promising results compared to those tests.
A new study found that synthetic hormone estren can build bone in animals without affecting reproductive organs. The researchers tested estren, estrogen, and testosterone in mice with and without sex organs, showing estren's potential to provide a safe form of hormone replacement therapy.
A new study by Duke University researchers suggests that deforestation in the Amazon can lead to a significant reduction of rainfall in the Midwest and Dakotas during summer months. The simulation used mathematical equations to model climate behavior, finding a 10-15% decrease in precipitation in these regions.
The survey found that older workers and women are less happy at work, with a significant decline in job satisfaction over the past decade. Women, in particular, face long working hours and limited career progression opportunities, while older workers struggle with pension security and retirement conditions.
Researchers have discovered a new drug that can prevent brain damage caused by strokes in the majority of patients. The drug, developed by University of Toronto researchers, works by blocking negative NMDA receptor stimulation, making it a potential practical stroke therapy.
A 12-week aggressive exercise program showed high adherence rates among low-income, inner-city participants with disabilities. Participants experienced improved cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and flexibility despite chronic health conditions.
A PhD student developed a method to filter water vapor information from satellite data, enabling accurate predictions of the greenhouse effect. The research is important for understanding the complex influence of water vapor in the atmosphere and its impact on global temperatures.
A new study published in the journal Science suggests that estren, a synthetic compound, can build bone and improve bone density and strength without affecting reproductive organs. The findings may indicate a potential alternative to standard hormone replacement therapy for treating osteoporosis in both men and women.
A study of 18 obese and 18 normal-weight adolescents found significantly lower physical activity levels in the obese group. The results suggest that intensity and duration of physical activity are important for maintaining energy balance in a society with unrestricted food consumption.
A recent Asian dust storm triggered a massive bloom of phytoplankton in the North Pacific, suggesting that wind-blown iron from terrestrial dust can stimulate plankton growth. This observation challenges the long-held 'iron hypothesis,' which proposed that adding iron to ocean waters could offset global warming.
The International Subacrachnoid Aneurysm Trial (ISAT) found that inserting platinum coils via an artery reduced dependency or death by nearly a quarter and absolute risk by seven percent compared to surgery. The study involved over 2,000 patients in 43 centers across Europe, North America, and Australia.
Research at Ohio State University solves a decades-old mystery about aluminum's behavior, revealing it may exhibit directional bonding and superior strength to copper under large shear strains. The findings have significant implications for nanotechnology and the development of tiny devices.
A study of 957 HIV-positive pregnant women found that multivitamin use was associated with a small increase in weight gain during the third trimester. Multivitamins may also reduce the risk of low weight gain and fetal loss, making them an essential tool in HIV-infected women's nutrition.
Researchers at UCSF used a new technique to decouple hormone pathways controlling reproduction and longevity in worms, finding that daf-2 activity can be turned on or off independently. This allows for the potential extension of lifespan without suppressing reproduction, offering a promising avenue for human aging research.
Research found that geese prefer short-grass areas where protein ingestion is highest, helping to keep the grass short and maintaining its nutritional value. Grazing livestock, such as cows and horses, also prevent salt marsh vegetation from becoming too coarse, protecting the geese's food source.
Researchers have discovered a promising new treatment that preserves bone mass in both female and male mice without affecting reproductive organs. Estren, a class of compounds called ANGELS, appears to trigger bone-building activities without the side effects associated with sex hormone therapy.
Patients receiving enzyme replacement therapy for a near-two-year period show improved pain levels and reduced organ damage. The treatment continues to be effective despite the presence of antibodies in some patients.
A study of African American and white women found that weight loss improved metabolic profiles regardless of visceral fat loss. Visceral fat loss was greater in white women, but the benefits on major disease risk factors were similar across racial groups.
Research in Kenya found that pregnant women with both HIV and malaria are at higher risk of developing anaemia, while their children also face a greater risk. However, the transmission of HIV from mother to child is less frequent when the mother has a mild malaria infection.
The International Collaborative Genetics Research Training Program will help reduce health disparities through the use of genetic sciences. The six new projects will provide educational opportunities at various levels and contribute to the capacity of developing country scientists to conduct human genetics research.
A team of scientists has analyzed sediment cores from 21 lakes in Vermont and New York to establish regional storm patterns. The findings indicate that intense rainstorms causing massive flooding are expected to increase frequency and severity over the coming years, with human activity contributing to this trend.
Researchers discovered specialized domains on nerve cell surfaces that regulate the entry of molecules, revising a long-held theory. These 'endocytic zones' control receptor transport and are also entry points for nutrients and pathogens, offering new insights into brain development and neurological disorders.
A study by Duke University Medical Center found that agreements between academic medical centers and industry sponsors rarely include provisions to protect researchers' independence, access to data, and editorial control. This can lead to compromised scientific integrity and a lack of transparency in clinical trials.