Theoretical cosmologist George F.R. Ellis wins the Templeton Prize for his work on general relativity theory and its intersection with theology and social justice. His research questions the origin of the universe and explores the relationship between science, faith, and morality.
Researchers isolate three strains of yeast prions that transmit life-changing information in yeast cells without DNA or RNA. These protein-only particles act like genes, disrupting normal cell function and leading to the formation of amyloid plaques associated with neurological disorders.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in understanding a natural mechanism cells use to protect themselves from stress, with potential applications for preventing motor nerve cell death. Up to 50% of nerve cell death could be prevented in mice with sciatic nerve injury using this approach.
A recent study found that young breast cancer survivors experience more severe long-term after effects, including arm problems and fatigue. Women diagnosed over 50 years old tend to report fewer symptoms than younger women.
A new diagnostic tool, BCPC, uses microarray technology to analyze tumor genetic signatures and provide personalized treatment recommendations for breast cancer patients. The tool aims to improve patient outcomes by avoiding over-treatment and reducing costs of treatment.
The Osteoarthritis Initiative aims to identify people at risk for OA and monitor disease progression using biological markers. The study will enroll 5,000 adults over five years, collecting data on joint pain, limited movement, and cartilage loss.
Research suggests that video game play is related to children's weight status, while television use is not. Children with higher BMIs spent moderate amounts of time playing electronic games, whereas those with lower BMIs played either little or a lot of time on other devices.
Researchers confirm that shape change accounts for strain differences in prions, laying groundwork for strategies to block disease. Prion shape underlies ability to jump between species, according to new finding.
In the phase III trial, exemestane demonstrated superior efficacy over tamoxifen in patients with hormone-responsive metastatic breast cancer, with a median progression-free survival of 10.9 months compared to 6.7 months for tamoxifen. The study also showed improved response rates and safety profile for exemestane.
Researchers at UT Southwestern have made significant progress in understanding lipodystrophies, rare disorders characterized by partial or total loss of fat tissues. Recent studies have identified gene mutations and novel therapeutic approaches for these patients, which may also be applicable to obese individuals with abnormal fat dist...
Researchers establish that different strains of prions can be accounted for by misfolded conformations of the same protein. The study provides insights into how amyloid proteins form and propagate, potentially guiding future studies of strain properties in mammalian prions.
A Mount Holyoke researcher is studying how low-income urban youth develop science aspirations and pursue careers in science and technology. The five-year study will examine the social negotiations of educational and career aspirations, effective mentoring strategies, and patterns of science and technology learning and motivation.
The SORCE satellite has been collecting long-term data on natural solar variation to determine the sun's role in global change. Accurate knowledge of solar variations is essential for understanding and predicting impacts on Earth's atmosphere and climate.
A combination of two existing drugs, rapamycin and doxorubicin, was found to be effective in treating cancer by restoring a natural cell death mechanism and triggering programmed cell death. The treatment led to complete remission in mouse models of B-cell lymphoma.
Older women with breast cancer often lose out on effective treatments, with prognosis not linked to tumour factor. Health policymakers need to develop strategies for elderly patients, while doctors must find suitable treatments tailored to their needs.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory developed a method to control the architecture of nanocrystals using electrochemistry. They created nearly 30 different nanostructures by changing applied voltages and chemical types, offering greater predictability and convenience compared to traditional methods.
A new study explores whether children seeking object names actually desire the object's function, not just its label. Children given functional information seemed more satisfied with the response, suggesting they can distinguish between superficial classification and deeper understanding.
UCSD School of Medicine researchers have identified a mechanism leading to life-threatening infections, where PKR protein causes macrophages to die, allowing bacteria to spread. The discovery may help develop inhibitors for PKR, controlling nasty infections and reducing flu-related deaths.
A team of scientists at Rutgers University has identified the active compound in croton plant oil, TPA, which shows promise in treating prostate cancer. The study found that TPA can stop new cells from growing, kill existing cancer cells, and shrink prostate tumors.
Researchers found a 1.7-fold increase in cardiovascular death among breast cancer patients who received radiotherapy compared to those who didn't. However, the risk was lower for non-irradiated patients, suggesting that breast cancer may have a protective effect on cardiovascular disease.
Cornell University has been awarded a $300,000 USAID grant to implement two development programs in India. The Agriculture in Developing Nations course will be taught at Cornell and partner institutions in India, sensitizing students and policymakers on how to improve productivity and competitiveness in agriculture. For executives, the...
A recent study examined 350 adult volunteers and found that 3.6% developed harmless skin rashes after vaccination. The rashes cleared up on their own within one to three weeks without serious symptoms.
A recent study has confirmed that women with BRCA breast cancer who undergo conservation surgery and radiotherapy have a lower risk of recurrence compared to those without genetic mutations. The only factor associated with a higher risk of recurrence is young age, according to the researchers.
A new study shows that preoperative anastrozole treatment can downstage tumors and allow more patients to undergo less extensive breast-conserving surgery, reducing the need for mastectomy. The treatment has been shown to be effective in improving outcomes for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.