The study identifies the BptA protein as essential for Borrelia burgdorfei's survival in ticks and potentially offers a new target for Lyme disease eradication. Without this protein, bacteria were unable to utilize blood from tick feeding, resulting in a significant decrease in bacterial levels.
Researchers discovered a new species of coral-reef pygmy goby that lives for just 59 days, with daily mortality rates as high as 8%. The tiny fish lays only three clutches of eggs in its lifetime, contributing to the complex and hectic life cycle of reef fish.
Researchers at Stanford University have successfully differentiated human neural progenitor cells into insulin-producing cells that can respond to glucose. These cells were then transplanted into immunocompromised mice and produced human insulin when stimulated by glucose, paving the way for potential treatment of type I diabetes.
Researchers at Ohio State will develop a new radar instrument to peer beneath earth's ice cover and analyze how ice accumulates. The project aims to understand the impact of melting ice on global sea levels and temperature regulation.
Researchers discovered that yellow-beaked cleaner shrimp perform a specialized dance, the 'rocking dance,' to attract hungry client fish. This signaling allows both species to benefit from non-predatory cleaning interactions.
K-State professor Chris Culbertson is working with NASA to develop microfluidic devices that can monitor astronaut health remotely. These devices use miniaturized chemical analysis instrumentation to analyze DNA mutation rates in cells on orbit.
A head-to-head retrospective analysis of 18,000 elderly patients with AMI found that five commonly prescribed statins were equally effective for secondary prevention. The study highlights the need to consider costs when selecting statins.
A randomized trial in Uganda found a six-dose regimen of co-artemether significantly reduced gametocyte levels and mosquito infectivity. However, limitations include patient compliance and absorption issues.
A study found that combining carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries increases the risk of post-operative stroke by 6.8%, compared to 1.8% in CABG alone. Experts believe further randomized trials are necessary to assess the appropriateness of this combined procedure.
Research using mitochondrial DNA identified two distinct populations in Algeria and Morocco as founders of the Gibraltar macaque population. The study found that the Gibraltar macaques retained a surprisingly high level of genetic variability despite long-term isolation.
A third of babies born each year are unregistered, lacking legal rights to healthcare and education. Universal birth registration is key to collecting data on health inequalities and promoting equity.
Researchers developed a risk score based on age, sex, smoking, and obesity to identify young people with advanced atherosclerotic lesions. The study found that high-risk adolescents and young adults can benefit from targeted advice and lifestyle changes to reduce their long-term cardiovascular disease risk.
The Entamoeba mitosome, a human parasite's organelle, contains a single type of protein that imports and exports chemicals. This streamlined organelle may represent the simplest mitochondrion yet described, offering insights into eukaryotic cell function.
Researchers found a pathway for cells to turn on genes and respond to singlet oxygen, a highly reactive substance that destroys biological molecules. This discovery could lead to modified plants with enhanced crop yields and improved bioenergy sources.
Scientists have discovered a humanized monoclonal antibody that can boost survival rates of infected mice to 90% or higher. The antibody, produced by Macrogenics Inc., has potential utility against other infectious diseases and could help develop new treatments for related viruses like dengue fever.
A new gene therapy approach has shown promising results in slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease by reducing cognitive decline. The therapy, which involves delivering nerve growth factor to the brain, demonstrated significant improvements in patients' mental status and brain activity.
Researchers have developed an infection-fighting antibody that successfully cures disease in mice infected with West Nile virus, even when the virus had entered their brains. The monoclonal antibody was several hundred times more potent than natural antibodies and completely protected mice against death.
A study led by Professor Jonathan Side found that researchers can work with fishermen to identify future research priorities, particularly on lobster stock enhancement. Despite challenges, the fishing community expressed willingness to participate in research, but lacked organisational capacity and trust in science.
Researchers have developed nanoparticles that can detect tumors using standard MRI equipment, allowing for earlier diagnosis. The particles can also deliver cancer-fighting drugs directly to malignant tumors, promising more effective treatment options.
Research finds that high cyclosporine levels are associated with increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after liver transplantation. The study suggests tailoring immunosuppressive schedules to individual patients based on their tumor biology, and recommends minimizing exposure to cyclosporine to prevent recurrence.
A new sensor system combining flame photometer, ion mobility spectrometer and surface acoustic wave array detects chemical vapors with high accuracy. The PSU-developed CINET software reduces false alarms by correlating data from multiple detectors.
A new study using microarray technology has identified genes that distinguish between non-metastatic and highly metastatic breast cancer tumors. The research, led by Dr. David Tarin, used cell lines with varying capabilities to spread to distant organs and found that several genes were altered in expression patterns between the two typ...
A research team from the Max Planck Institute for Metals Research and ESRF observes temporal structural fluctuations on an atomic scale in a crystalline material. The discovery sheds light on how materials respond to external perturbations like changes in temperature, pressure, magnetic or electric fields.
A new microbial fuel cell process can produce high yields of hydrogen from biodegradable organic matter in wastewater. This technology uses a small amount of electricity to boost bacterial fermentation, overcoming the 'fermentation barrier' and producing clean hydrogen gas while simultaneously cleaning the wastewater.
Scientists have identified solar wind flowing from funnel-shaped magnetic fields in the Sun's corona, originating in coronal funnels with a speed of about 10 km/s. This discovery improves our understanding of the solar wind's magnetic nature and source region.
Researchers at NIST have developed chip-scale refrigerators capable of reaching temperatures as low as 100 milliKelvin, enabling cooling of bulk objects. The solid-state refrigerators have applications in semiconductor defect analysis and astronomical research.
The May-June GSA Bulletin issue explores phosphogenesis and organic-carbon preservation in the Miocene Monterey Formation at Naples Beach, California. Researchers propose a corollary to the Monterey hypothesis suggesting major sinks of organic matter are located in continental sediments.
Researchers found a significant decrease in spina bifida and anencephaly rates in Chile between 2001-2002, following folic acid fortification. The study suggests that the fortification is responsible for the decline, as similar trends were observed in other countries with folic acid fortification.
NIST's special test arena is used to train bomb and drug sniffing dogs as well as robotic rescue systems. The arenas provide a challenging environment for dogs to find hidden explosives or narcotics, while robotics experts observe police techniques.
A recent international study found that Canadian youth were among the heaviest in the world, ranking 4th for obesity and 5th for overweight. Sedentary behavior was strongly correlated with being overweight, while candy consumption surprisingly showed a decrease in likelihood of being overweight.
The May GEOLOGY media highlights featured articles on the preservation of a unique coal-bearing succession in the Pennsylvanian Joggins Formation and the role of evaporite withdrawal. Seismic profiles also showed that layers of salt were able to flow and rise to the surface, leading to subsidence and preservation. Additionally, researc...
A study by University of Florida researchers found that genetic variations can determine how well heart failure patients tolerate beta-blockers. The findings suggest that personalized therapy based on genetic makeup could lead to safer and more effective treatments.
Researchers found that rat fetuses exposed to a high-carbohydrate diet in utero developed increased insulin levels, appetite stimulation, and obesity. The study suggests that such malprogramming could be interrupted if the mother's weight and insulin levels are normalized before pregnancy.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that only about one-quarter of teen check-ups included diet and exercise discussions, while skin cancer was the least likely topic. The study also revealed low rates of counseling on HIV and family planning, with only about 5% of visits addressing these topics.
A decline in winter and spring snow cover over Southwest Asia and the Himalayan mountain range creates conditions for widespread blooms of ocean plants in the Arabian Sea. This is due to increased temperature and pressure differences between the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Sea, leading to monsoon winds that mix the ocean water.
Researchers at UTMB developed a method called PMCA to produce infectious prions in test tubes, causing TSE symptoms in healthy hamsters. The breakthrough confirms the prion hypothesis and opens doors for new surveillance techniques and blood tests for mad cow disease.
Scientists have made significant progress in understanding how bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics, including macrolides and lincosamides. The study revealed new details about the structural basis of drug resistance and identified potential targets for developing new hybrid antibiotics.
Researchers used brain imaging to map abnormalities in living patients with Williams syndrome, showing exceptional language skills. The findings shed light on the genetic control of human cortex development and help predict the syndrome's progression.
Scientists from Bristol, The Open and Sheffield Universities have dated the engravings at Creswell Crags to over 12,800 years old, making them Britain's oldest rock art. The dating method used uranium-series dating, which measures minute traces of radioactive uranium in thin limestone crusts that formed over the engravings.
A new study published in Geology estimates the maximum possible earthquake magnitude in the San Fernando and Northridge areas of Los Angeles County. The researchers used paleomagnetism to analyze sediments and found that the crust is broken into blocks, limiting the maximum earthquake magnitude to around 6.8.
Scientists at NIST report that flow properties of alternative solvents called ionic liquids are extremely sensitive to tiny amounts of water. The finding could help design new industrial processes that are more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Researchers identified molecular and behavioral changes in mice with a faulty circadian system, which can lead to obesity and metabolic syndrome. The study suggests that misregulated genes in various tissues cause metabolic changes, leading to weight gain and related disorders.
Women with active epilepsy can have a healthy child if they continue treatment, but the risk of birth defects varies depending on the medication. The importance of individualized counseling and maintaining seizure control is emphasized to balance treatment effectiveness and potential risks.
The study found that standardized processes and commercially manufactured microarrays lead to more consistent results. This standardization can improve clinical practice, including personalized medical treatments for diseases like breast cancer.
Virtual colonoscopy is effective in detecting large colorectal polyps and masses, but is less sensitive for smaller ones. The review found no direct evidence on the effect of screening methods on cancer incidence or death prevention.
Researchers used a new brain-mapping technique to study the neural connections involved in sleep regulation. The study found that neurons producing orexin, which helps keep animals awake, receive inhibitory signals from sleep-active neurons and reinforcing signals from wakefulness-activated neurons.
A recent study by Fred W. Turek and Joseph Bass found a possible link between sleep disturbances and metabolic syndrome in mutant mice. The research suggests that altered circadian rhythms and hormone regulation, including leptin and ghrelin, may play a role in the development of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers develop customized antibodies that work together to target and destroy cancer cells. The therapy shows significant synergy, with a single combination of antibodies leading to more than three times greater effectiveness than a solo antibody in inhibiting HER2 signaling.
A malaria vaccine, RTS, S/AS02, has shown substantial protection in trials, with 30% and 58% effectiveness rates. However, an efficacious vaccine is not yet available for widespread use due to funding and organizational challenges. Experts predict a decade-long timeline for the development of a viable vaccine.
Researchers have discovered that a faulty body clock can wreak havoc on the body's metabolism, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes. In a study published in Science, scientists found that mice with a misaligned internal timepiece gained weight and developed metabolic abnormalities when fed regular or high-fat diets.
Researchers at NIST developed an X-ray technique to analyze high-intensity gas discharge lamps, revealing the spatial distribution of mercury atoms. This understanding improves lamp design and energy efficiency, saving $10 billion annually in U.S. electricity consumption.
A new generation of smart gear has been developed to minimize the accidental deaths of hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, whales, dolphins, and juvenile fish. The innovations include weighted, deep-set lines that reduce encounters with sea turtles while increasing tuna catch, as well as avoidable, detectable gear for marine mammals.
The Roll Back Malaria partnership, which includes WHO, UNICEF, and the World Bank, has failed to achieve its aims of reducing malaria mortality. Despite a seven-year initiative, malaria rates have increased, making it unlikely that the 2010 target to halve deaths will be met.
Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have made a groundbreaking discovery that enables temporary metabolic hibernation in mice, reducing oxygen dependence and potentially extending organ preservation time before transplantation. This technique could also accelerate wound healing in diabetic patients and improve cancer treat...
Recent tests by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) found that portable radiation detectors perform well enough to meet new consensus standards, but produce inaccurate readings for low-energy X-rays. The results highlight the need for manufacturers to better design and characterize their instruments.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a molecule on immune cells that plays a critical role in the sexual transmission of HIV. Blocking this molecule could prevent HIV from spreading infection, potentially reducing its ability to infect new individuals.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute have developed a new technology that uses allicin to target and destroy cancer cells. By attaching the enzyme alliinase to an antibody already in clinical use, they can deliver a continuous supply of allicin to penetrate and kill cancer cells.
Researchers have discovered that the enzyme hDOT1L activates a key set of genes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), leading to unrestrained growth and a hallmark of the disease. The study suggests that targeting hDOT1L could be a promising approach for treating AML, particularly in cases where patients carry specific genetic mutations.
Researchers analyzed whale skeletons and farm soil using metagenomics, discovering specialized bacteria that thrive in these environments. The study provides a new understanding of the diversity of microbial life on earth, with potential applications in fields such as agriculture and medicine.
A study found that increased activity in the prefrontal cortex predicts higher dopamine levels in the midbrain in individuals with the val COMT gene type, while decreased activity is seen in those with the met type. This suggests a 'tuning' model where dopamine regulates signal-to-noise ratios in brain cells.