A new three-year grant will help researchers better understand the causes and risk factors of ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that affects 30,000 people in the US. The study aims to investigate the link between a genetic mutation called Hfe and the onset and progression of ALS.
The study found that superintendents face barriers to reform due to micromanaging school boards, inflexible unions, and pressure groups. To improve student performance, districts need clearer authority to hire, fire, and adjust teachers, reconfigure bad schools, and adjust curricula.
Researchers at UT Southwestern discovered that administering the drug trichostatin A can effectively delay the start of labor in mice by allowing progesterone to continue functioning. This is significant because mice have a short gestation period, and pre-term birth affects over 460,000 infants annually.
Researchers have developed a mouse embryonic stem cell model that can differentiate into pancreatic precursor cells and islet cells producing four types of hormones. This study could provide valuable insights into normal pancreatic development and potentially lead to better stem cell-based therapies for diabetes.
A large study found that estrogen replacement therapy prolongs the QT interval, increasing risk for arrhythmia and heart problems. Women who used hormone therapy had a 50% higher odds of QT prolongation compared to those who never used hormones.
A study published in Animal Behaviour found that female fiddler crabs are attracted to burrows, not just male courtship signals. The researchers suggest that some male signals may be designed to keep females safe as they search for a mate.
A Canadian consortium, led by NOVA Chemicals and the Alberta Research Council Inc., has developed a new membrane technology to improve olefin production. The process aims to reduce energy costs and CO2 emissions in petrochemical plants, with potential economic and environmental benefits for industry and Canadians.
NYU scientists have developed a new mathematical method to analyze genetic data, reducing noise and errors in gene expression microarrays. The algorithm corrects for various types of errors and is expected to be widely incorporated in gene-related cancer research.
A study by Joslin Diabetes Center has identified a family of metabolic genes associated with type 2 diabetes risk. The research found that 55 genes showed altered activity in both people with diabetes and those at high risk for prediabetes, suggesting a continuum from normal to diabetic states.
A molecule called nitric oxide is a natural regulator of new neurons in the adult brain. Blocking nitric oxide production stimulates neural stem cell proliferation, increasing brain neuron generation and contributing to the adult brain's architecture.
A new system allows for continuous monitoring of mortality rates in general practices, helping identify unusual trends and potential areas for improvement. The tool can aid in spotting high-quality care by highlighting low mortality rates.
Recent studies establish that beta-amyloid activates caspases, cutting tau at its tangle-blocking end and generating abnormal filaments. This process occurs before neuronal apoptosis, promoting death of the neuron.
Researchers found that rotational deceleration increases with higher falls and harder surfaces, leading to more severe diffuse brain injuries. Inflicted impacts on hard surfaces are likely to cause subdural hemorrhage and possibly diffuse axonal injury.
The report provides a sober assessment of nanotechnology's possibilities, distinguishing between current applications, potential future advancements, and unfeasible goals. It also explores the role of social science in nanotechnology development, highlighting opportunities to anticipate and incorporate implications into the technology.
Researchers at Purdue University have made a significant breakthrough in creating a method to keep embryonic stem cells of zebrafish viable, enabling them to study gene function related to human diseases. This innovation has the potential to reduce time and costs associated with researching gene function, making zebrafish a more attrac...
A Hong Kong study found that music instruction aids verbal memory, with trained students recalling significantly more words and retaining them longer than untrained peers. Verbal learning performance improved in proportion to musical training duration.
A UCSF-led team has identified a potential cancer susceptibility gene, the Ile31 variation of the Aurora2 gene, which disrupts cell regulatory controls and increases cancer risk. The study suggests that low penetrance genes can confer significant susceptibility to cancer.
Researchers found that anemia is an independent risk factor for physical decline in older adults, leading to increased risk of nursing home admission, disability, and death. The study suggests that treating anemia may help preserve physical function.
A study by University of Virginia Health System found that drivers with type-1 diabetes are more likely to be involved in car crashes and experience hypoglycemic episodes. The study revealed that only 20% of type-1 diabetic drivers were at increased risk, emphasizing the need for personalized treatment to mitigate this risk.
Researchers developed a speech-in-multitalker-babble test instrument to examine the effects of hearing loss on self-perceived quality of life. The test improved word recognition performance with repeated exposure to sentence materials, and showed that wheelchair riders face no increased risk of injury in large city buses.
A large study by the University of Michigan Health System found that entrenched attitudes, lack of communication, and limited data contribute to the controversy. The researchers surveyed nearly 1,000 doctors and analyzed state-by-state variation in hand surgery rates.
A new study reveals that elevated carbon dioxide levels can improve corn growth during drought periods, increasing photosynthesis by up to 41% in some cases. The findings suggest that C4 plants like corn may benefit from rising CO2 levels, but other factors such as ozone levels could still impact crop yields.
Tuomas Sandholm's work focuses on constructing electronic marketplaces that lead to economically desirable outcomes. His research has led to significant savings for Fortune 500 companies, exceeding $300 million.
A recent study found that symptoms of depression are a consistent predictor of shortened survival in cancer patients. After accounting for other factors, researchers discovered that depressive symptoms were the most significant psychological indicator of poor outcomes.
Dr. Och's system uses statistical models and parallel data to find the most likely translation for a given input, outperforming traditional approaches that rely on grammatical rules and vocabulary lists.
A study by Michelle J. Hindin found that younger women in rural areas, with lower education and income, were more likely to justify wife beating. In contrast, urban women from wealthy households or those with shared education were less likely to do so.
Researchers found that intracranial gliomas damage the thymus, weakening T cells and preventing a large-scale attack on the tumor. The study suggests that glucocorticoids produced by the adrenal glands contribute to this effect, and highlights the importance of recent thymic emigrant T cells in anti-glioma immunity.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden and EMBL in Heidelberg have counted the number of proteins that help an egg cell divide. They found that there are more motors pulling on one side, which can pull the centrosome off-center, leading to proper development of the embryo.
Older adults with mild anemia are 1.5 times more likely to experience physical decline, according to a study published by the National Institute on Aging. Those with anemia or borderline anemia show greater declines in physical performance, including balance, walking speed, and chair rise ability.
Scientists have found that colloidal particle clusters exhibit beautiful and unexpected symmetry, obeying a simple mathematical principle. The discovery may have implications for understanding the atomic-scale structure of liquids and the properties of matter.
A new study suggests that human activities are a leading cause of warming in the troposphere and cooling in the stratosphere. The research team found that ozone depletion combined with greenhouse gas emissions accounted for most of the recent rise in the tropopause height.
A study has shown that using larger laser treatment zones can safely correct nearsightedness and astigmatism in patients with large pupils. Nearly 56% of patients achieved uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better, while nearly 62% achieved the same level in patients with astigmatism.
Researchers found that the Hawaiian hotspot drifted southward between 47-81 million years ago, contradicting the traditional stationary plume theory. This discovery sheds light on terrestrial dynamics and raises fundamental questions about the mantle's role in controlling plate motions.
A study by geneticists from Stanford and Harvard Universities reveals that humpback, fin, and minke whale populations in the North Atlantic were much higher before commercial hunting. The researchers estimated that there were around 800,000 to 900,000 whales, contradicting previous whaling records.
Researchers have counted the number of proteins that help an egg cell divide, revealing a crucial difference in motor density between the two poles. This discovery has dramatic consequences for embryonic development and understanding cellular forces.
A new study by Cornell University professor David Levitsky found that college freshmen gain an average of 4.2 pounds in their first 12 weeks, with breakfast and lunch at all-you-can-eat dining facilities accounting for 20% of the weight gain. The study suggests that this phenomenon may be contributing to the rise in obesity among Ameri...
Scientists discover that community assembly history influences productivity-biodiversity relationships in natural ecosystems. Experimental study with microorganisms reveals that the sequence of species arrival affects these relationships, which is a key factor in understanding diversity patterns.
Researchers have found that a species of micro-organism, Sulfolobus, has genetic differences between samples from the US, Eastern Russia, and Iceland. This challenges the long-held view that micro-organisms do not differ by geographic location.
Researchers found that recombinant interferons were effective against SARS-CoV replication, with interferon beta showing prophylactic protection and antiviral potential. Interferon alpha was less effective but could be a potential drug of choice in combination with other antiviral drugs.
A new microdialysis probe can detect cytokine markers indicating early infection or rejection responses to implants. This detection method aims to bioengineer the site for optimal device performance, ultimately benefiting public health and economic development.
Researchers identify key genes and cellular pathways contributing to schizophrenia, providing new insights into the disorder's complex biology. The study's findings hold promise for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
Researchers at OHSU found significant differences in free-base nicotine levels among 11 commercial cigarette brands, with some containing up to 36% free-base nicotine. The study's findings have implications for understanding the addictiveness of different tobacco products and may guide future research.
The $18 million SALT Observatory is nearing completion and will feature the largest optical telescope in the Southern Hemisphere. The observatory's primary scientific instrument, a spectrograph, will break light down into its constituent wavelengths to study stars and galaxies outside of the Milky Way.
The study provides strong support for the popular cold dark matter model of the universe, suggesting that galaxies are surrounded by massive, three-dimensional halos. The team measured the shapes of over 1.5 million distant galaxies using weak gravitational lensing, revealing that dark matter halos extend far beyond visible stars.
Combining herbal supplements with regular medication without consulting a doctor can lead to adverse interactions. Patients should discuss their herbal supplement use with their primary physician to ensure safe treatment and prevent unexpected complications.
A recent study found that 15% of African-American youths at risk of dropping out of school reported carrying a gun, with regular carriers more likely to be involved in selling drugs or fighting. The study suggests that carrying a gun may indicate a more serious pattern of behavior, rather than just another risk factor.
A new study measures the emotions of doctors-in-training, finding that anxiety, guilt, and compassion are prevalent feelings. The research highlights the importance of acknowledging and managing these complex emotions to improve medical education and patient care.
Researchers suggest that hydrothermal vent systems like Lost City could have supported early life due to their stability and chemical composition. The systems' ability to produce heat, minerals, and organic compounds for millions of years may have improved the chances for life to emerge and be sustained.
Researchers discover a new class of proteasome inhibitors that change the shape of the protein-digesting enzyme, leading to reduced activity and selective protein degradation. This finding has implications for treating diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
The study explores how older adults adjust their living environments to ensure comfort and flexibility, affecting their identity and well-being. By considering personal aspects of their surroundings, individuals can create a suitable space that accommodates their changing needs.
A study of 543 children found that exposure to violence between parents and harsh punishment are significant risk factors for adult partner violence. Child behavior problems, such as conduct disorder, also predict later relationship violence.
Scientists used an autonomous underwater vehicle to map two deepwater coral reefs, discovering well-developed reefs with nearly 100% living coral cover. The study provides new insights into the structure and composition of deeper coral reefs, which are essential for protecting commercial fisheries.
Researchers found that active involvement in forming an idea, known as generative learning, reduces false memory. Participants were more likely to accurately remember words from a list they created themselves than those presented by others.
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers reveals the subplate, a transient nerve cell structure, plays a crucial role in strengthening thalamic connections to the cortex and mapping out visual wiring patterns. Without it, defects in vision development can occur, such as cerebral palsy.
The WHO leader highlights three key priorities for action: reinstating health as a focus of organizational agendas, scaling up effective interventions to reach more dying children, and building capacity at the district level. Collaborative partnerships are necessary to achieve these goals and reduce child mortality worldwide by two-thi...
Scientists discover Lost City, the tallest hydrothermal vent system ever seen, which can persist for hundreds of thousands to millions of years. This discovery increases the chances of finding early life on the seafloor, with potential implications for life beyond Earth.
Researchers develop novel gene therapy platform using AAV to deliver galanin, a neuroactive peptide that suppresses seizure activity. The treatment reduces sensitivity to focal seizures in laboratory rats, offering hope for treating temporal lobe epilepsy patients.
A recent study found that genetic differentiation among Sulfolobus islandicus populations increases with geographic distance, contradicting the prevailing theory of microbial biodiversity. This discovery suggests a more diverse microbial world than previously predicted.
The study estimates that elimination of major risk factors would reduce disease burden by over 90% for diarrhoea, lower respiratory infections, and ischaemic heart disease. Global healthy life expectancy would increase by over nine years, with the largest gains in sub-Saharan Africa.
Researchers found that quarries serve as refuges for two groups of butterflies that depend on steppe-like habitats. The first group comprises 20 species, nine of which are threatened in the Czech Republic, that thrive in active quarries due to their preference for rocky habitats.