A new study by the University of Chicago reveals that Greenland's ancient rocks are sedimentary and not igneous, providing evidence for biological activity 3.85 billion years ago. The findings support the search for early life on Earth and open up new possibilities for research.
Research finds American pikas' local extinction at 36% of US sites studied due to climate change. Pikas' inability to thermoregulate in extreme temperatures makes them susceptible to habitat loss and extinction.
Researchers are conducting a study to examine the effects of fish oil supplements and increased fish consumption on blood vessel function in men. The study aims to investigate whether fish oil supplementation can counteract the negative effects of smoking on heart health.
A study found that only 9% of adults with moderately decreased kidney function reported being told they had weakened or failing kidneys, highlighting a need for increased awareness and diagnosis. The researchers suggest that control of diabetes and hypertension are critical in reducing the rate of progression and complications of chron...
Researchers have discovered Cassini findings on Saturn's rings, dust impacts, and radio rotation rate variations. The study found that Saturn's lightning is one million times stronger than Earth's, with some signals linked to storm systems.
The discovery of the first histone demethylase reveals a dynamic process of gene regulation via methylation of histones. This finding has significant implications for cancer therapeutics and may open up new avenues for understanding gene activity.
A catastrophic flood from ancient Glacial Lake Iroquois may have triggered the Intra-Allerod Cold Period and the Younger Dryas cold climate event. The team analyzed sediment cores, walrus fossils, and pollen to precisely date the discharge of freshwater into the North Atlantic.
Scientists have found that Saturn's system is composed of ice and oxygen atoms, which are produced by collisions between small icy moons and the planet's magnetosphere. The research suggests that these collisions have been occurring for millions of years, adding fresh material to the ring system.
The TWAS Trieste Science Prize recognizes outstanding scientists from developing countries, aiming to increase their visibility and contributions to global science. The prize carries a US$50,000 cash award and will be awarded annually in various fields.
Researchers analyzed eight Greenland ice cores to uncover the history of the North Atlantic Oscillation, a weather system controlling climate patterns in Europe and the eastern US. The study found that one core site matches historic records, providing a potential record of NAO behavior centuries earlier.
The Mars rover mission has discovered evidence of prolonged presence of salty, acidic water on Mars' surface, making it a potential habitable place. The findings suggest that conditions were suitable for life to exist in the past.
Botrytis cinerea, a major problem in horticulture and viniculture, uses ABC transporters to pump toxic substances out of the fungus. The research reveals that this mechanism is comparable to multiple drug resistance in humans, with the protein BcatrB playing a key role.
A new study on the Lienzo de Quauhquechollan painting reveals that it depicts a campaign of conquest through Guatemala by Spanish conqueror Jorge Alvarado in 1527-1529. The indigenous map provides a unique perspective on the Spanish conquest, challenging the traditional European bias in historical accounts.
A randomized trial involving over 650 participants found that OTC acne treatments were as effective as oral antibiotic tablets. Benzoyl peroxide was identified as the cheapest and most cost-effective treatment, with a significant difference in cost-effectiveness between regimens.
A unique three-year project found that genetic screening can lead to uncertainty and anxiety among individuals at risk, while those with symptoms face difficulties in diagnosis and treatment. Researchers call for urgent attention from health policymakers to address these issues and ensure accessible care.
Benjamin Raphael, a UCSD postdoctoral researcher, has been awarded a $500,000 Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award to analyze tumor genome architectures and identify genes important for tumor growth. His work aims to develop cancer diagnostics and understand how tumors behave and progress.
UGA's Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases has received a grant to train Brazilian scientists in bioinformatics, aiming to combat tropical diseases such as schistosomiasis. The program will support the development of analysis infrastructure and provide opportunities for trainees to work with NIH-funded studies.
Researchers found a genetic variation in the CRH gene associated with a 70% greater reduction in anxiety and 30% greater reduction in depression in response to certain antidepressants. This discovery shows promise in helping physicians tailor prescriptions to specific people, offering a more targeted approach to treating depression.
The discovery of salty, acidic water on Mars' surface suggests the planet was once capable of cradling life. Robotic explorers like Opportunity and Spirit found evidence of shallow groundwater and wet-and-dry cycles.
A new UCLA study found that individuals with high socioeconomic status have higher cardiovascular risk factors than those with lower SES. The researchers also discovered that improving one's SES is associated with improved risk profiles.
Studies show infants and young children are drawn to sounds, while older children also prioritize sound, especially when familiar objects are present. Adults can process both sounds and visuals simultaneously but tend to favor visual information.
Researchers found that hummingbirds' lifting ability declines with altitude, leaving less reserve power for quick bursts of flight. The study also revealed a clear correlation between power margin and elevation, with birds dominating territories at lower elevations.
Evolutionary adaptation leads to permanent antibiotic resistance in fungi, making it difficult to prevent its spread. Researchers focus on reducing dependence on antibiotics to combat this growing issue.
A vaccine against cervical cancer has been developed by Dutch researcher Laura Bungener. The vaccine induces an immune response to proteins from human papillomavirus (HPV), rendering it harmless and preventing the growth of tumors. Laboratory animals with existing tumors could also be treated with this vaccination.
A new study suggests that implantable pacemakers could identify and prevent potentially fatal cardiac abnormalities in patients with epilepsy. The devices monitored heart rhythms during seizures, revealing that four patients had periods of asystole and received permanent pacemaker insertion.
Researchers have developed a DNA translation machine that imitates the ribosome's translational capabilities. The device uses an arbitrary code to construct specific DNA sequences, potentially leading to new synthetic polymer materials and advancements in DNA-based computational methods.
The Cassini spacecraft detected a massive cloud of escaping oxygen atoms on the dark side of Saturn's rings in January 2004. Scientists believe that the sudden release could be caused by a collision between ice particles and material in one of the main ring systems, or an eruption of icy slush on Enceladus.
A new study found that combining plant sterols with exercise can significantly improve cholesterol levels in previously sedentary adults. The combination therapy favourably altered lipid profiles by decreasing total cholesterol and increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels.
The Lancet's Paper of the Year 2004 exposed flaws in pharmaceutical companies and highlighted the need for an international register of randomized clinical trials. The paper also mentioned notable contributions from Richard Doll and Salim Yusuf.
The CALIPSO project is the first volcano monitoring system of its type installed at an andesitic volcano. By comparing measurements with a computer model, researchers can understand what's happening beneath the surface. The goal is to measure magma reservoir size, magma inflow, and magma characteristics.
The Lilly Endowment is providing Indiana University with a $53 million grant to enhance its life sciences research capabilities. The funds will be focused on metabolomics and cytomics, emerging fields that aim to better understand metabolism and cell function.
Researchers at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) have successfully tested a smart gun that can distinguish between authorized and unauthorized users. The technology uses dynamic grip recognition, which measures the size, strength, and reflexive way a person acts when squeezing the trigger.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno developed a model that estimates the impact of a large earthquake in Los Angeles by studying an earthquake in Kern County. The study found that the hanging-wall side of thrust-fault earthquakes experiences more extreme motion and damage than the footwall side.
Research found soy infant formula's high concentration of genistein may hinder intestinal cell proliferation, a critical organ system development phase. However, clinical data suggests soy formulas are safe but may have unseen effects.
The study found that a protein complex called INO80 plays a crucial role in loosening histone grip on DNA, allowing DNA repair machinery to access damaged areas. The researchers discovered a specific form of histone protein, gamma-H2AX, acts as a code directing DNA repair proteins to breaks.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a technology that can harness waste heat from electrical power plants to produce millions of gallons of fresh water daily. The system, which employs mass diffusion, reduces energy costs compared to traditional desalination methods.
A new gene therapy approach has successfully corrected immunodeficiencies in 17 of 18 patients with severe combined immunodeficiency disease. The treatment, which involves introducing a 'good' gene into stem cells, has shown clear and sustained clinical benefits.
The sequencing of S. pomeroyi, an ocean bacterium, provides valuable tools to understand its functions and impact on the atmosphere. Early investigation reveals 4,283 regions in the genome that predict protein synthesis and cellular machinery.
Dr. Hinke Osinga and Professor Bernd Krauskopf from the University of Bristol have created a crochet pattern for a chaos model, known as the Lorenz manifold, which helps understand complex systems like chemical reactions and weather patterns. The pattern consists of 25,511 stitches and took over 85 hours to complete.
The Iowa report found that nearly one in eight children were without health insurance at some point in 2000, with 90,000 children uninsured annually. The study also revealed that many eligible children were not enrolled in Medicaid or hawk-i programs due to inadequate enrollment.
Researchers at MIT have created a new mouse model of cancer syndrome by introducing point mutations in the tumor suppressor gene p53. The study shows that these subtle mutations can lead to a broad range of tumors in mice, potentially providing insights into treating cancers with similar genetic profiles.
Deep-fried Mars bars are widely sold in Scottish fish and chip shops, with 15 shops reporting health concerns. The Mediterranean diet appears to be influencing local food trends, with deep-fried pizza also gaining popularity.
The University of Georgia has received a grant to promote trade between the US and Uganda, with the goal of creating jobs and economic growth for both countries. The project is part of the Africa Initiative on campus and aims to build capacity in international trade.
Researchers have reported rapid progress in molecular electronics, with logic gates, memory circuits, and rectifiers demonstrated to work. The UCLA/Caltech team has achieved significant advancements in harnessing molecule-based switches for electronic circuitry.
A Stowers Institute researcher has identified a complex that plays a crucial role in repairing DNA double-strand breaks, a primary cause of cancer. The dTip60 complex increases DNA accessibility for optimal repair and removes the damage-marker phospho-H2A.X/v to signal successful repair.
A hidden fault under Marin County, California, could significantly increase the earthquake risk in the San Francisco Bay Area. Researchers believe that a blind thrust fault, which is difficult to detect until an earthquake occurs, may be transferring motion from the northern Hayward fault to the San Andreas fault.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a second source of phosphate in cells, inositol pyrophosphate (IP7), which modifies proteins without ATP's help. IP7's role in regulating brain chemicals and protein synthesis suggests new potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
The massive iceberg B-15A poses no obstacle to the resupply ships at McMurdo Station, with the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Polar Star on track to clear a channel through the sea ice. NSF has arranged for a backup icebreaker to assist if necessary.
The Arunachal macaque is a new species of macaque found in India's Northeast, with its name meaning 'deep-forest monkey' in local vernacular. Further studies will determine if it should be included on the IUCN Red List and protected under Indian law.
A recent study found that in 55% of homes with young children, household chemicals were stored in accessible locations, while one-third of U.S. gun owners kept firearms unlocked at home. The odds of reported unlocked storage of guns and household poisonous chemicals were two and a half times higher when young children visited.
A study of high-risk asthma patients shows that hospitalization can lead to a rapid decrease in prescribed medication use. Another study finds that inhaled corticosteroids may contribute to reduced bone density, particularly in individuals with COPD. Researchers also identify occupational exposure to insecticides and moldy environments...
The Southeast's rural two-lane highways are the deadliest roads in the nation, according to a recent Georgia Institute of Technology study. The most frequent crashes occurred on these highways, especially in wooded areas where drivers ran off the road and hit trees.
A national study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that vaginal birth after a cesarean section (VBAC) is more dangerous for mothers, with higher rates of uterine rupture and endometritis. However, the risk remains small, and researchers recommend thorough counseling for women considering VBAC.
A recent study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that one-third of long-term disease-free breast cancer patients have circulating tumor cells (CTCs), which are often associated with a higher risk of recurrence. However, the presence of CTCs in these patients after 20 years post-mastectomy is notable due to their low risk of recur...
Scientists have developed a new MRI technique to study brain anatomy in live crayfish, revealing complex anatomical structures and enabling repeated imaging. This breakthrough technology provides a powerful tool for understanding neurobiology of behavior in invertebrates.
Researchers from CANVAC, a Canadian network of immunology and virology experts, have developed a new method to assess thymus function using only blood samples. They found that HIV-infected individuals experience decreased thymic function in the first months after infection, leading to lower T-lymphocyte production.
Indiana University geologists David Bish and Juergen Schieber will join NASA's Mars Science Laboratory, a rover mission set to launch in 2009. The rover will explore a local region as a potential habitat for past or present life, shedding light on the Martian surface's composition.
Researchers found that engineered fruit flies with resistant rhodopsin protein retained vision twice as long as normal flies, but eventually developed blindness due to delayed decay of rhodopsin. The study suggests that degradation of visual proteins contributes to vision loss and may help reduce blindness severity in rare individuals.
The study of Silicibacter pomeroyi's genome reveals that marine bacterioplankton use inorganic compounds for energy, enabling efficient carbon use in low-nutrient oceans. The research also shows the microbe's adaptability to ocean hot spots, rich areas of organic matter.
The K-State civil engineering department will focus on cost-effective preservation of rural roads and infrastructure for safe operation and agricultural product movement. The new center aims to address unique challenges in rural areas, including aging population, terrorist threats, and disease outbreaks.