A research team at Rockefeller University has discovered a novel protein, AFP, that regulates early growth arrest in young plants. This development provides insights into how plants naturally tolerate drought and stress, with potential applications in creating drought-resistant crops.
A UCLA study found substantial evidence that surgeon experience is associated with lower complication rates in radical prostatectomy. Low-volume surgeons had twice the in-hospital complication rate of high-volume surgeons, and their patients were hospitalized one day longer on average.
A study by the American Dietetic Association found that most marketplace portions exceed standard sizes by as much as eight times. Researchers also discovered that portion sizes of many foods and beverages have increased two to five times since their introduction.
A team of scientists has discovered that chaotic wave patterns in the heart's electrical pulses can be controlled and potentially terminated using a weak periodic modulation. This discovery could lead to new methods for treating cardiac fibrillation, a life-threatening condition.
A recent review of studies on dark chocolate found that its flavan-3-ols and oleic acid may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Flavonoids, also present in other plant foods, aid in warding off heart disease, while oleic acid from olive oil promotes heart health.
The report highlights the need for a multi-faceted approach to manage freshwater resources, including empowering local groups and increasing communication among disciplines. It also recommends protecting minimally impaired ecosystems and creating awareness of healthy ecosystems' importance to everyday living.
The URI Office of Marine Programs has been awarded a Sloan Grant to support the Census of Marine Life, a global research effort to study marine biodiversity. The program will create an international education platform, provide networking resources for scientists and communicate the importance of ocean conservation.
Researchers performed partial splenectomy on 25 children with congenital forms of anemia caused by abnormal red blood cells. The procedure showed promise in relieving symptoms and improving quality of life, but does not address the cause of these disorders.
A new study found that men with moderate anger expression had nearly half the risk of nonfatal heart attacks and a significant reduction in stroke risk compared to those with low anger expression. Moderate anger may be protective against cardiovascular disease over a limited period, according to researchers.
Researchers have found that dietary grain affects colonic hydration, leading to significant changes in gut function. The study suggests that switching from hay only to hay and grain can decrease water content in the colon.
The study reveals that the SIX3 protein secures anterior neural cells by blocking out a posteriorizing signal, crucial for forebrain formation. In mouse models and zebrafish, forced expression of Six3 rescues forebrain development, demonstrating its critical role in vertebrate head development.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute find that sperm are attracted to fertilization site by temperature difference. A temperature-driven mechanism, known as thermotaxis, guides the sperm through the fallopian tube and prepares them for penetration of the egg.
The irrE gene plays a crucial role in D. radiodurans' ability to withstand extreme radiation levels, and its regulation may be linked to DNA repair mechanisms. Understanding the gene's function could lead to breakthroughs in human cancer prevention and nuclear waste cleanup.
The Six3 gene plays a vital role in brain development by halting Wnt1 activity, preventing abnormal forebrain extension. In mutant mice and zebrafish, genetic material from the mouse Six3 gene restores normal forebrain development.
Researchers found liquid sewage sludge to be just as effective as traditional synthetic fertilizers in improving crop yields and nutrient content. The study also showed low levels of heavy metals in crops, groundwater, and soil, making it a promising environmentally safe alternative for waste disposal.
Dr. Rossant and colleagues find that Flk1 and Tal1 proteins steer embryonic cells towards endothelial, hematopoietic, or smooth muscle fates. The study provides further evidence for a common hemangioblast progenitor cell, which can differentiate into the three cell types.
A team of researchers has discovered that using small-world networking can improve the efficiency of parallel computing in simulations. By linking computers to their nearest neighbors and a few other random computers, the simulation process can run faster without data traffic jams.
A recent study found drotrecogin alfa (activated) to be as cost-effective as several commonly used life-saving treatments, including statins and lung transplants. The drug's acquisition cost falls below the $100,000 per QALY threshold for cost-effectiveness.
A team led by Sandeep Shukla is working on devising strategies for achieving the optimal balance of power and performance in embedded computer systems. The goal is to guarantee maximum performance while reducing power consumption, which is crucial for devices like wireless devices, cars, and climate control systems.
Researchers have discovered six fly populations that live up to 12% longer than normal due to overexpression of specific genes involved in fundamental cellular processes, sparking hopes for similar effects in humans.
Marine geologist Peter Rona describes a metal-rich mound, two-and-a-half miles under the Atlantic Ocean, composed of copper, iron, zinc, gold, and silver. The ocean's crust is cracked into plates that allow heat and materials to escape, creating habitats and energy for microbes that can be used in various applications.
Researchers found Kindler syndrome patients develop periodontitis at a younger age and experience rapid progression of the disease. The study also revealed significant differences in periodontal destruction between Kindler and control groups.
The Lancet discusses the conflict between scientific openness and global security concerns, highlighting the need for defensive biological research to prevent the spread of knowledge and dangerous materials. Pneumococcal vaccines are also reviewed, showing varying effectiveness in developed countries.
Researchers found that the mahoganoid gene mutation causes neural damage similar to prion diseases, including loss of neurons and accumulation of astrocytes. The study suggests a link between protein metabolism defects and neurodegeneration in spongiform encephalopathies.
Researchers at Kansas State University found that using costumes with books improves children's ability to recall characters and story sequences. The study involved preschoolers retelling a story with or without a costume, with the latter showing better results in recalling details.
A study of 143 individuals over 60 years old found that those with longer telomeres lived four to five years longer than those with shorter ones. People with shorter telomeres had significantly higher mortality rates from heart disease and infectious diseases.
Researchers discovered that a mutated gene associated with early onset dystonia helps manage protein folding and is normally used as a quality control mechanism. TorsinA's failure to function correctly may lead to protein aggregation, causing neuron malfunction, which is linked to various movement disorders.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding the biological clocks that govern daily rhythms in living organisms. By analyzing the genetic makeup of a simple bacterium called Synechococcus elongatus, the team has created the first structural model of part of the clock's timing device.
Eating disorders are a significant cause of physical and psychosocial illness in adolescent girls and young adult women, with limited research on anorexia nervosa and atypical eating disorders. The authors call for targeted research on the interaction of genetic and environmental processes to improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers develop method to prevent amyloid formation by stabilizing the native state of proteins, preventing disease-associated subunits from contributing to fibril formation. This approach has potential therapeutic applications for various amyloid diseases, including familial amyloid polyneuropathy and cardiac disorders.
A recent study found that critically-ill patients taking linezolid were more likely to survive than those treated with vancomycin. Linezolid was shown to be an effective treatment for pneumonia infections caused by MRSA and S. pneumoniae, leading to improved patient survival rates.
The U.S. will participate in the ITER fusion project, aiming to develop commercial fusion energy and produce clean, abundant power. The collaboration, involving Canada, EU, Japan, Russia, and China, aims to demonstrate essential fusion technologies and test key elements for practical energy source deployment.
A new study suggests that Alzheimer caregivers' chronic stress may trigger excessive blood clotting, increasing the risk of coronary events such as heart attacks. The research found that high levels of stress were associated with higher fibrin D-dimer levels, even within normal ranges.
Researchers from Penn State developed expendable microphones to locate survivors in collapsed buildings. The team found that placing microphones in voids reduces surface noise, allowing acoustic search to continue without interfering with rescue operations.
Researchers have discovered that an earthquake can cause damage to a neighboring fault line, potentially leading to more earthquakes. The study, led by UCLA's Vidale, measured seismic wave speed to detect this effect and found it in the Landers fault, which is 10 miles away from the Hector Mine fault.
A new mouse genetic model exhibits a non-lethal form of spongiform brain disease, characterized by fluid-filled vacuoles and tissue degeneration. The mice lack the same motor coordination problems as affected cattle and are not contagious.
A study of Danish data found that mothers who experienced a child's death were 40% more likely to die within 18 years compared to those with alive children. Fathers also faced increased mortality risk, but to a lesser extent.
Limited availability of genetic data hampers scientific progress in finding new therapeutic targets. The Lancet editorial emphasizes the need to share accumulated evidence and re-evaluate reporting standards.
Researchers found that cardiac MRI technology can detect small areas of heart muscle death that are missed by traditional nuclear imaging techniques like SPECT. This is important because these microinfarcts can be early indicators of future severe heart problems.
Researchers at Purdue University found that ozone can effectively kill insects in grain storage facilities without damaging food quality or the environment. The gas has a short half-life and low dosage is used to eliminate bugs, reducing the risk of mycotoxins and potential food-borne diseases.
Researchers developed a microchip with light-impeding holes to observe individual enzymes interacting with other molecules. This technique enables detailed analysis of fluctuations and variability in enzyme behavior, crucial for understanding molecular movement and predicting less predictable behavior.
A recent survey found that most people attribute premature births to individual mothers' behaviors rather than systemic issues. More research is needed to determine how to prevent premature births and address the root causes of this issue.
A study by the University of Pittsburgh researchers investigated the recovery process in high school athletes with mild concussions. The study found that athletes with longer-lasting on-field symptoms had longer-lasting post-injury symptoms and were more likely to experience significant cognitive declines.
Researchers found that patients preferred the new endonasal approach, which provides a simpler and minimally invasive method compared to the traditional sublabial procedure. The study showed comparable remission rates and similar hormonal gain and loss among patients with pituitary tumors.
A significant body of evidence suggests that folic acid supplements have no association with an increased likelihood of having a multiple birth. In this large-scale Chinese study, around 240,000 women who used daily folic acid supplements did not show a higher rate of multiple births compared to those who did not use supplements.
A recent study discovered a distantly similar gene called ros in puffer fish, suggesting that Agrobacterium may have originated from a marine source. The discovery was made by investigating the evolutionary origin of genes associated with bacterial virulence and found homologs of the ros gene in both marine microorganisms and sea squirts.
Scientists have discovered that heterochromatin is dynamically wrapping and unwrapping around DNA, regulating gene expression. This revelation could help understand diseases linked to inappropriate 'switching', such as cancer and inherited disorders.
Stanford researchers have identified a potential cause of prion disease, linking it to a mutation in a ubiquitin ligase that flags proteins for destruction. The study suggests that the buildup of cellular trash may contribute to the development of spongy degeneration, leading to neuronal death.
Researchers found that UV radiation triggers melanoma formation by dismantling the Rb pathway in skin pigment-producing cells. This discovery suggests a new way to distinguish cancerous moles from non-cancerous ones, potentially saving lives.
Researchers have visualized the molecular structure of succinate dehydrogenase, a key enzyme in cellular respiration, revealing its anti-aging function. The study shows that the enzyme's three-dimensional shape prevents the formation of destructive oxygen atoms, which can cause cellular aging.
A study found that insect feeding by a spruce gall adelgid caused large galls to form, inversely correlated with distance from buds. Chemical stimuli were determined to be the cause of gall formation.
A new protocol developed by Penn State professor Jonghun Park can allocate resources up to 10 times faster than existing technology. The decentralized protocol allows for efficient resource allocation, solves deadlock and livelock problems, and enables collaboration across multiple independent organizations.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that a readily available chemical called sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (NaDDBS) can disperse nanotubes in water with remarkable efficiency. This discovery represents an important step towards wider applications of nanotubes.
NASA's Aqua satellite and a P-3 Orion aircraft are conducting a joint research effort to gather data on snowfall and rainfall in Wakasa Bay, Japan. The study aims to improve the accuracy of global hydrologic cycle data and better understand precipitation patterns in the north Pacific.
The collaboration between Rice University and IBM aims to improve the understanding of carbon nanotubes' mechanical, structural, and electronic properties. By utilizing the powerful CBEN supercomputer, researchers can tackle complex quantum mysteries and develop new algorithms for theoretical molecular science.
A newly discovered cellular process allows cells to initiate a series of events that halt the growth of damaged cells and help them survive. The activation of ATM, an enzyme that responds to DNA damage, enables cells to better respond to cancer-causing mutations and environmental toxins.
Researchers found that MRI accurately diagnosed acute coronary syndrome in 84% of patients, outperforming traditional tests like EKG and blood enzyme test. MRI detected all patients' heart attacks, even those with normal EKGs, and identified more patients with unstable angina.
Scientists studying the western Pacific Ocean find regional changes in saltiness correspond to changes in upper ocean heat content before an El Nino event. Observing salinity improves predictions, suggesting a lag time of six to 12 months for modifications in ocean layers.
New England waters show little net change in acidity despite Clean Air Act reductions, researchers say; further changes expected as nitrogen regulations take effect.
A UC Irvine study found that adding antioxidants to insulin therapy can improve its ability to reduce blood sugar and prevent organ damage. Treating rats with insulin alone only partially succeeded, but vitamins C and E spared sugars, proteins, and nitric oxide from attack.