Researchers at Nexia Biotechnologies Inc. and US Army have made the world's first spider silk fibers from man-made materials with properties similar to natural spider silk. The production of these fibers was achieved using a proprietary transgenic goat technology, and they demonstrate high toughness, modulus, and water stability.
A new NASA study warns of increased winter flooding in California as global warming alters streamflow patterns. The study projects a drier growing season, with snowmelt-driven watersheds experiencing early streamflow increases and higher flood risks.
Researchers found that supplementing with both folic acid and vitamin B12 can significantly lower homocysteine concentrations. This suggests that a dual-fortification policy could be more effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study's findings have implications for food fortification policies worldwide.
Rutgers researchers Shinbrot and Glasser have made a breakthrough in understanding shear activity, which can affect pharmaceutical tablet production and landslide behavior. The discovery has wide-ranging implications for industries such as food manufacturing and mining.
Researchers found that insect damage affects not just the hole in the leaf, but also surrounding areas with reduced photosynthesis activity. The device revealed an 80-fold increase in furanocoumarin synthesis, a defensive chemical used by plants to boost their defense.
A large DNA-based study revealed that only a small percentage of people with the genetic mutation for hereditary hemochromatosis develop symptoms. Most individuals with the mutation remain asymptomatic and do not experience the disease's life-shortening effects.
Researchers found that surgeons with higher visual-spatial scores performed better in complex procedures and achieved similar competency after practice and feedback. The study aimed to understand the role of perceptual and cognitive abilities in learning surgical procedures.
The proposed regulations would result in a direct loss of $13.5 million annually and another $4.4 million in economic activity, leading to 459 job losses in the processing industry. Dorchester County on Maryland's Eastern Shore would be hardest hit, absorbing over 75% of the industry's direct losses.
A meta-analysis of six trials involving 31,400 patients found that anti-clotting drugs reduced death risk by 9% overall, but men showed a significant 19% reduction, while women saw no benefit. The treatment effect was greatest in high-risk patients.
Researchers found that proliferating germline stem cells, which divide continuously, affect aging by influencing a steroid hormone. The discovery suggests that these stem cells are master control cells controlling both reproduction and aging.
Patients treated with nocturnal breathing support for sleep apnoea experience a significant reduction in blood pressure, as well as improved quality of life and reduced excessive daytime sleepiness. The study confirms that therapeutic nCPAP treatment produces a clinically important lowering of blood pressure.
The new Northwest/Alaska Center for Research to Reduce Oral Health Disparities will investigate disparities in oral health, focusing on children from poor families and minority groups. Researchers aim to prevent cavities through xylitol, culturally appropriate approaches to dental fear, and effective care translation.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center are conducting a clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of venlafaxine HCI on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study compares three treatment options: Effexor XR, Zoloft, and a placebo. Results may provide new hope for individuals suffering from PTSD after the 9/11 attacks.
Researchers found that genetic imbalances on chromosomes 8 and 18 were better predictors of colorectal cancer prognosis than conventional assessments. The study used a new approach to investigate chromosome imbalances in early-stage cancers, with patients experiencing varying disease-free survival rates based on their tumour balance.
Scientists tested the Iris effect using CERES instrument on TRMM satellite, finding clouds slightly destabilize climate instead of cooling it. The study challenges recent theory proposing clouds cool the Earth and counteract predictions of global warming.
A study has discovered an HIV-like virus in a wild chimpanzee, providing evidence that the virus originated from this species. The virus, SIVcpz, was found in one animal from the Gombe National Park, revealing a different strain than previously known viruses.
A review published in Current Opinion in Lipidology suggests that flavonoid-rich foods like tea and chocolate may be beneficial for cardiovascular health. Moderate consumption of these foods, especially in combination with other fruits and vegetables, could lead to a reduced risk of heart disease.
Sandia experts have developed a vulnerability assessment methodology to evaluate and improve security at over 10,000 US facilities that manufacture, store, or use hazardous chemicals. The methodology assesses the adequacy of efforts to prevent terrorist attacks and blunt their effects at US chemical plants.
Researchers found a strong relationship between climate event El Niño and outbreaks of Bartonellosis, an insect-borne disease highly fatal to humans. The study suggests that warming of the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean is closely linked to the worst outbreaks, occurring one to three months after El Niño.
Hebrew University and Ben-Gurion researchers found that stress causes a shift in gene products, resulting in an oversensitive electrical response in neurons. This could lead to improved treatment options for patients taking drugs that affect the nervous system.
A recent study published in Johns Hopkins Medicine found that women with overactive or underactive thyroid have an increased risk of birth defects in their babies, including cardiac problems and cleft lip or palate. The research suggests routine testing for thyroid disease prior to pregnancy may be warranted.
A study estimates that Americans have a roughly 50/50 chance of experiencing the American Dream or the American nightmare. The study reveals that being African American or having less than 12 years of education dramatically increases the odds of poverty, while decreasing the likelihood of affluence.
A new study by Yale researchers found that many risk factors for early breast cancer are also linked to advanced breast cancer. The study, which included over 1,000 women diagnosed with early breast cancer, revealed a correlation between family history, previous breast biopsy, and older age at menopause.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have made significant progress in understanding the function of two proteins involved in neurotransmitter release. The study found that RIM1a is essential for long-term plasticity, a process critical for learning and memory. This breakthrough has broad implications for the development of dr...
Research by the March of Dimes has found that premature and low birthweight babies experience long-term learning difficulties in school. The organization's Perinatal Epidemiological Research Initiative aims to identify factors contributing to preterm births to prevent these problems.
Researchers have identified a cholesterol-depleting agent, beta-cyclodextrin, that blocks the transmission of cell-associated HIV. This novel approach targets the migration of white blood cells in semen or cervical mucus carrying HIV and offers a promising method for disease prevention.
A recent study found that female patients have higher levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 during and after heart surgery, which may explain why girls recover more easily than boys. However, no association was found between progesterone levels and patient recovery.
Researchers equipped Weddell seals with cameras and data recorders to track their movements and interactions with prey, gaining new insights into the habits of Antarctic silverfish and toothfish. The 'seal cam' technique sheds light on the behaviors of these little-known species, including migration patterns and depth ranges.
A recent study reveals a critical link between obesity and type 2 diabetes through the AMPK pathway and leptin hormone. Researchers found that AMPK activation, triggered by leptin, inhibits an enzyme involved in fat metabolism, increasing fat burning.
Researchers found that players should bank money after each correct answer to maximize their winnings. However, the game's psychological dynamics can lead players to abandon this optimal strategy due to the host's aggressive tactics.
A driver going at 65 miles per hour may think the average speed is over 70, while a slow driver perceives a high proportion of fast cars. Heavy traffic skews perception, making brake and accelerator sensitivity twice as sensitive.
Research suggests that neural connections in the brain can be changed in response to environmental cues, supporting the idea that intelligence is not fixed. This model provides a new understanding of human intelligence and has implications for education and learning outcomes.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a technique to resynchronize internet video, preventing lost frames and protecting intellectual property rights. The method uses digital watermarking to verify the authenticity of videos, which can be crucial in applications such as surveillance and law enforcement.
A study of premature infants born in the late 1970s has found that they continue to face educational challenges into adulthood. The research, which followed 242 infants until age 20, found that fewer premature adults had graduated from high school and had lower I.Q. scores compared to their full-term peers.
Researchers have developed a mouse model to study the transmission of cell-associated HIV in women, finding that hormonal treatments and agents disrupting lipid rafts can prevent infection. The study reveals the importance of understanding cell-associated HIV transmission for developing effective prevention strategies.
Researchers are using computer simulations to determine if the 47 Ursae Majoris system can contain an Earth-like planet. The system's asteroid belt is in the habitable zone, increasing the likelihood of finding a terrestrial planet.
Researchers have discovered a new target for treating cancer cells that rely on survivin to survive. This finding offers new hope for patients with cancer who are struggling with this aggressive protein.
A 20-year study of premature babies born between 1977 and 1979 found that those with very-low-birth-weight were less likely to engage in risk-taking behavior and had a higher likelihood of completing high school, despite facing cognitive and behavioral challenges.
Scientists found a unique microbial community in Idaho's Beverhead Mountains that thrives without sunlight, using hydrogen gas from deep Earth as an energy source. This discovery mirrors Martian subsurface chemistry and has implications for searching for life on Mars.
Researchers investigated adhesive interactions in contact dermatitis, a common skin condition. Key findings indicate that adhesions play a significant role in the development and progression of this disease.
Researchers discovered an alternate folding mechanism that protects some proteases from breakdown by other proteases, making them highly resistant to degradation. This novel strategy, involving a pro-region catalyst, allows for exceptional stability and rigidity in the folded state.
Researchers have determined the three-dimensional structure of the chloride ion channel using x-ray crystallography, resolving a long-standing biochemical puzzle. The discovery provides insights into how nature arranges proteins to stabilize anions like chloride inside cell membranes.
Researchers have successfully reversed learning impairments in mice with a genetic disorder, neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), using an experimental drug. The study provides hope for treating NF1-related learning problems in humans and suggests that a specific amount of Ras activity is crucial for learning.
PNNL researchers developed an ultrasonic tool to monitor key physical properties of fluid products in real-time. Additionally, the lab showcased a new mass spectrometry technique called DREAMS that analyzes more proteins with greater accuracy, providing insights into low-level proteins crucial for cellular processes.
Penn State meteorologists have combined weather data from airports, weather stations and sensors to create a more detailed picture of weather conditions in the state. The project aims to provide real-time displays of observations and user-specific products for various industries, including agribusiness and the power industry.
A new method significantly improves U.S. seasonal forecast accuracy by analyzing changes in sea surface temperatures across various ocean basins. The approach raises the bar for seasonal and inter-annual climate forecasts, with increases in predictability noted during spring and summer months.
Research found that regular alcohol intake higher than 70 grams per week is associated with increased total serum IgE levels. Moderate drinking may also lead to abnormal immune responses, affecting the control of the immune system's response to allergens.
A study found that employees with elevated or risky levels of alcohol consumption showed an increase in sick days. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) tests were used to identify risk consumers, while the gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) test was used for comparison purposes.
Researchers investigate DNA repair capacity and its association with melanoma risk, while also exploring the predictive value of HPV testing in managing equivocal Pap tests. Additionally, a study on breast cancer biomarkers finds that measuring uPA and PAI-1 levels may help predict disease course and inform treatment strategies.
Researchers found that mice fed a folate-deficient diet developed severe Parkinson-like symptoms, while those with adequate amounts of the vitamin protected their brain cells from damage. Folate deficiency may contribute to increased toxin-induced damage to dopamine-producing neurons.
A study found that physician interventions can significantly decrease alcohol use and related health issues in at-risk patients. The intervention program, Project TrEAT, resulted in a 15-20% reduction in patient health care utilization and overall costs.
Researchers found that inhibiting acid production made stomachs more vulnerable to bacterial invasion and gastritis. The study suggests that antibiotics are the best way to kill bacteria causing gastritis and eliminate inflammation. Inhibiting acid production can actually trigger an inflammatory response, making gastritis worse.
A study by UCSF scientists has found that Chinese-American smokers metabolize nicotine more slowly than Latinos and Caucasians, leading to lower lung cancer rates. This slower metabolism helps explain why they smoke fewer cigarettes and are less likely to develop lung cancer.
A national clinical trial comparing minimally invasive and standard colon cancer surgeries found that laparoscopic-assisted colectomy patients experienced slightly shorter hospital stays and reduced pain medication needs, but no significant differences in post-operative pain or quality-of-life scores. The study suggests that while mini...
Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have developed a new cell-based approach for anticancer drug discovery, which identified 39 new compounds selective for yeast cells with faulty DNA repair enzymes. This approach is adaptable to high-throughput screening methods and complements target-based screening, potentially...
A new study by Howard Hughes Medical Institute researchers suggests that bacterial overgrowth, rather than stomach acidity, may be a major cause of stomach ulcers. The study found that proton pump inhibitors can actually promote the growth of other types of bacteria, including Lactobacillus and Staphylococcus.
Researchers have developed a new genetic technique that can deliver a knockout blow to the Asthma Virus by targeting its RNA. The technique, called post-translational gene silencing, uses specific siRNA molecules to block viral protein production and suppress virus replication.
Researchers found that women form hierarchies among themselves in a more democratic style, waiting to establish relationships before forming structures. This challenges the notion that women are uncomfortable with hierarchical environments and instead highlights their ability to gather power slowly and carefully.
A study found that alcohol consumption during the third trimester of pregnancy alters thyroid function in both mothers and fetuses, which could lead to brain defects. The researchers used sheep as a model and administered varying doses of alcohol to pregnant ewes, resulting in altered thyroid hormone levels in both mother and fetus.
Biologists at UCSD observed a protein gradient in developing fruit fly embryos that triggers division into nervous system and epidermis. The findings confirm Alan Turing's hypothesis from the 1950s, providing insights into embryonic development.