The international Argo program has reached a milestone with 1,500 ocean-traveling float instruments now operating, providing valuable data on climate and weather phenomena. This coverage represents half of the target 3,000-float array, enabling scientists to monitor the planet's oceans and gain insights into ocean processes.
Biologists at UCSD identified a gene regulating plant branching, which they believe was crucial in transforming teosinte into maize. The researchers found numerous variants of the gene in teosinte but only one variant in modern maize, suggesting targeted human selection may have played a key role.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is revamping its HIV/AIDS clinical trials networks with a new leadership structure. The network will focus on six priority research areas, including vaccine development and prevention strategies, to address the global burden of HIV/AIDS.
Researchers Galit Yovel and Nancy Kanwisher found that the FFA extracts configural information about faces, not spatial information on face parts. Their studies also indicated that the FFA is exclusively involved in face recognition.
A study of 503 older women found that small social circles are associated with lower blood glucose and blood pressure levels, as well as fewer signs of artery blockage. However, annual income was found to be a more important predictor of coronary disease death rates than social network size.
A new study suggests that global warming will lead to a dramatic decline in reindeer populations, with their numbers dwindling dramatically as they move further north. The research, published in Conservation Biology, analyzed the fossil record of reindeer found in southwestern France and correlated it with summer climate data.
A study estimates that 41 million Americans are eligible for colorectal cancer screening, but only a fraction have received it. The capacity for screening tests like flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy is limited, with colonoscopies being the most expensive option.
An international trial found that breast MRI significantly detected more cancers than mammography in high-risk young women with dense breast tissue. The study recommended MRI as a supplement to mammography for this group, improving cancer detection and potentially reducing mortality rates.
A patient with a 20-year history of heavy drinking underwent liver transplantation in 1999 and experienced progressive recovery of strength in both legs. The authors suggest that peripheral neuropathy in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis is reversible and should not be a contraindication to liver transplantation.
Researchers found that brief treatment with rolipram improved memory and cognitive function in both young and older mice, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits. The study also showed that the effects of treatment lasted for at least two months after treatment ended.
A study found that radiologists can identify potential problems with MRI, allowing for early treatment and prevention of injuries. Orthotics were provided to two athletes, preventing surgery and enabling them to play the entire season.
A study found that virtual colonoscopy can detect significant polyps as accurately as conventional colonoscopy, reducing the need for invasive procedures. The research suggests reserving conventional colonoscopy for patients with a higher likelihood of harboring significant polyps.
New studies using gap analysis and high-quality global databases reveal significant gaps in coverage of protected areas, affecting up to 43% of terrestrial species. The research suggests that expanding protected areas in tropical environments could improve conservation efforts for over 11,000 vertebrate species.
A new study found that transplanted stem cells from bone marrow cannot become functional heart muscle cells due to their inability to produce the protein sarcoglycan. The researchers tested bone marrow side population cells in mice with a receptor deficiency, but the results were disappointing.
A study found that obesity significantly impacts imaging quality and accuracy, particularly for abdominal ultrasound, chest x-ray, and CT scans. The direct cost of incomplete exams has tripled over 15 years, highlighting the need for equipment design changes and technological advancements.
Researchers found that PGE2 activates AKT phosphorylation events to block bax translocation and prevent cell death in radiation-exposed mice. This mechanism suggests that PGE2 or similar drugs could reduce radiation-induced small intestine injury, but may not be effective for cancers with mutated bax.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University used gene therapy to restore heart function in rats with failing hearts, reversing cardiac dysfunction. The study found that delivering the human S100A1 gene improved heart muscle efficiency and reversed cardiac dysfunction.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute is awarding up to $10 million for graduate training programs integrating medical and pathobiological knowledge into Ph.D. research.
A three-week treatment with methylphenidate improved the attention and behavioral problems of children who survived childhood cancer, including leukemia and brain tumors. The study suggests that this treatment may help resolve some of the serious side effects of cancer treatment in these children.
Researchers suggest using geological carbon sinks to capture and store carbon dioxide from power plant emissions, providing an additional strategy to reduce greenhouse gases. Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have reached an all-time high of 380 parts per million, a 36% increase since pre-industrial times.
Researchers successfully used iron-labeled neural stem cells to repair damaged myelin in the brains of mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of multiple sclerosis. This method could potentially monitor and track transplanted cells in human patients if stem cell therapy becomes available.
Researchers developed an index using satellite data to accurately predict the arrival of El Niño in the Pacific Ocean. The study found that fluctuations in rainfall and wintertime precipitation in the eastern Indian Ocean can signal early shifts in climate leading to El Niño development.
A multicenter study found that early steroid withdrawal after liver transplantation increased acute rejection rates, but may decrease the risk of long-term cardiovascular disease and mortality. The study suggested that earlier withdrawal could lead to improved glucose tolerance and reduced metabolic complications.
A study of 26 male college basketball players found that MRI screenings can help identify at-risk players and prevent injuries. Custom-fit shoe supports and orthotics can provide relief and prevent further debilitating injuries.
Researchers found that green tea polyphenols reduce levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in prostate tumor cells, leading to decreased cell survival and tumor growth. The study also showed that GTP inhibited the expression of proteins associated with metastasis and reduced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels.
A study of 109 patients found that combining MRI and ultrasound can significantly improve quality of life scores for women with uterine fibroids. The procedure is completely non-invasive and safe, with few side effects.
A new drug, GW7647, demonstrates profound protective effects against atherosclerosis by reducing lipid accumulation in macrophages. The study highlights the potential of targeting multiple PPARs, particularly PPARalpha and PPARgamma, to limit lipid accumulation and reverse atherosclerosis.
Physicists at NIST have developed a method for automatically correcting data-handling errors in quantum computers, enabling potentially massive computational power. The approach exploits entanglement of atoms to create redundant data sets and correct errors, making it more practical than previous methods.
CT colonography offers improved accuracy and convenience for colorectal cancer screening, but challenges remain in standardization, patient preparation, and interpretation of results. Standardization and training are necessary for widespread adoption.
Astronomers used computer simulations to predict that a close encounter between our Sun and another star in the Milky Way galaxy could have given us our solar system's edge and put small, alien worlds into distant orbits. The study found potential locations where captured objects from other solar systems might be found.
Excavations at Los Ajos, a 4,800-4,200 year old mound complex in Uruguay, revealed sophisticated levels of planning and cooperation. The site's farmers adopted early cultivars, including maize and squash, and exhibited an independent architectural tradition.
Researchers studied 155 image-guided RFA lung procedures on 126 medically inoperable patients with 163 lesions, finding low complication rates and improved morbidity. The outpatient procedure effectively controls small tumors, allowing patients to avoid surgery and improve their quality of life.
A study found that dental x-rays were as sensitive as questionnaires in identifying women with spinal osteoporosis. Dental x-rays can be used as a first step in determining which women need further BMD testing, especially for those with low response rates to questionnaires.
A UCLA physicist uses complex systems analysis to study how best-selling books reach their sales peaks, finding that two types of shocks can lead to predictable sales patterns. The researcher's model has been applied to understanding earthquakes and other natural disasters.
A study suggests that nutrient declines in garden crops have increased over the past 50 years, with notable decreases in protein, calcium, and riboflavin. The researchers attribute these declines to changes in cultivated varieties used today, which prioritize higher yields over nutrient content.
Researchers found that bosentan treatment led to significant improvements in clinical and hemodynamic parameters of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. A simpler method to determine optimal CPAP pressure for treating obstructive sleep apnea was also developed, showing improved results with auto-adjusted devices. Molecular methods w...
A survey of student nurses found limited exposure to poverty and its complexities. Researchers recommend practical placements and community initiatives to improve understanding and address poverty's influence on health.
Researchers found that African Americans are more likely to carry genetic variants stimulating inflammation and less likely to have anti-inflammatory proteins. These findings suggest evolutionary changes in the human genome may impact inflammation.
Researchers found that increased fat reserves bolster immune systems in animals, providing extra insulation from cold and energy to fight pathogens. This study suggests a potential benefit of temporary weight gain during winter holidays.
A new study by Northeastern University researcher Kevin G. Harrison found that soil carbon levels increased by an average of 14% under elevated CO2 levels. This discovery has the potential to improve global warming forecast models, which have been hindered by slower-than-expected increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Researchers transplanted BM-SP stem cells into mice with cardiomyopathy, but found that only 2 muscle fibers expressed restored sarcoglycan levels. The study suggests alternative approaches should be investigated for regenerative medicine.
Research found that toxic amyloid ß-derived diffusible ligands (ADDLs) specifically attack and disrupt synapses in the brain, leading to memory loss in Alzheimer's patients. Understanding how ADDLs target specific neurons and synapses could lead to new therapeutic drugs capable of reversing memory loss.
A study by Johns Hopkins University biologist Gary K. Ostrander reveals over 40 examples of shark tumors, debunking the myth that sharks don't get cancer. The research warns against pseudoscientific claims and calls for increased scientific literacy and critical thinking skills.
Studies with mice found that activating PPAR-gamma and PPAR-alpha can prevent cholesterol accumulation in atherosclerotic lesions by up to 70 percent. The researchers identified distinct molecular pathways for the two types of proteins, which could lead to new anti-atherosclerotic medications.
Researchers found that brain surface stimulation significantly reduced Parkinson's symptoms in animals, restoring normal activity in the striatum and motor cortex. The study suggests that this method could be an effective alternative to deep-brain stimulation with major advantages in simplicity and safety.
Researchers have discovered an 8,200-year-old sea-level record that suggests a catastrophic freshwater flood into the North Atlantic 8,200 years ago led to a sudden climate change. The finding provides new evidence for ocean current disruption and adds credibility to a popular theory.
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has developed a host of imaging techniques to develop better ways to look noninvasively at the molecular characteristics of tumors. They aim to forecast early response to chemotherapy so that treatment choices can be adjusted.
A study by the Mayo Clinic found a direct correlation between high aortic calcium scores and heart attacks in patients who underwent virtual colonoscopy for colon cancer screening. The research suggests that CT colonography may identify cardiovascular disease risk, encouraging individuals to take advantage of diagnostic tools.
Researchers have developed a vaccine that targets the anthrax capsule, providing improved protection against experimental infection. The study showed that mice vaccinated with the capsule vaccine survived challenge doses of spores, demonstrating the effectiveness of this new approach.
A new minimally invasive procedure using angioplasty and stenting is shown to be as effective as surgery in preventing strokes. The treatment involves widening the carotid artery to improve blood flow, with comparable rates of complications and a low rate of re-narrowing.
Researchers at Columbia University have discovered a new treatment that improves memory in mice with Alzheimer's disease. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor rolipram was found to modify gene expression and make brain synapses more resistant to beta-amyloid accumulation.